WHL Names Monthly Award Winners
January 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Americans forward Parker Bell has been named the McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month for the month of December.
Bell, a prospect of the Calgary Flames, led all WHL skaters with 21 points (7G-14A) over the month of December, doubling his season points total to 42 (15G-27A) in the process.
The 19-year-old, who hails from Campbell River, B.C., posted six multi-point games in December including a five-point effort to cap off the month December 31 against the Spokane Chiefs.
Bell also recorded multi-goal games December 3 versus Kelowna and December 27 against Everett.
He begins the month of January leading all Americans forwards in points, while his seven power-play goals are good for a share of the team lead.
Originally selected by Tri-City in the fifth round of the 2018 WHL Draft, Bell has amassed 98 points (34G-64A) over 157 career WHL contests.
He was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Parker Bell and the Tri-City Americans are next in action Friday, January 6 when they host the Vancouver Giants (7:05 p.m. PT, Toyota Center).
THUNDERBIRDS NETMINDER RATZLAFF NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Scott Ratzlaff has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of December.
Ratzlaff, a 'B' rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting for the 2023 NHL Draft, posted an 8-0-0-1 record to go along with a 1.54 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and two shutouts this past month.
The 17-year-old allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his nine starts last month, earning shutouts versus Spokane December 6 (36 saves) and Kelowna December 31 (18 saves).
The product of Irma, Alta. assumed the reins as Seattle's starting netminder with running mate Thomas Milic representing Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Ratzlaff begins the month of January holding a share of the lead among WHL goaltenders with a .925 save percentage, while his 2.04 goals-against average is ranked second in the League.
The 6-foot-2, 171-pound puck-stopper leads the WHL with three shutouts.
Ratzlaff was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and in 42 appearances, holds a career 32-4-1-1 record, a 2.31 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and four shutouts.
Scott Ratzlaff and the Seattle Thunderbirds are next in action Friday, January 6 when they begin an East Division road trip versus the Regina Pats (7:00 p.m. CT, Brandt Centre).
CAPITALS PROSPECT SUZDALEV NAMED WHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
The Western Hockey League announced today that Regina Pats forward Alexander Suzdalev has been named the WHL Rookie of the Month for the month of December.
The Washington Capitals prospect collected 17 points (6G-11A) with the Pats in December, earning points in all but one of his 10 appearances.
The product of Khabarovsk, Russia, who competes internationally for Sweden, enjoyed six multi-point efforts for Regina this past month, a total which included three-point nights December 4 at Edmonton and December 30 at Prince Albert.
He recorded his fifth multi-goal game of the season with two tallies December 16 at Moose Jaw.
The 6-foot-3, 171-pound forward leads all WHL rookies with 21 goals and 47 points from 35 games played this season; his 12 power-play goals and 24 power-play points are also first among first-year WHL players.
Suzdalev was originally selected by the Pats in the second round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft.
He was a third-round selection by the Washington Capitals in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Alexander Suzdalev and the Regina Pats are next in action Wednesday, January 4 when they pay a visit to the Brandon Wheat Kings (7:00 p.m. CT, Westoba Place).
Western Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2023
- Canada, Bedard to Face Czechia, Svozil in WJC Gold Medal Game - Regina Pats
- Wheat Kings' Powerplay Rips Through Pats Wednesday - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Szturc To Play For Gold At World Juniors - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos to Host RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Night for Children's Miracle Network January 14 - Swift Current Broncos
- Thunderbirds Netminder Ratzlaff Named WHL Goaltender of the Month - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Dante Giannuzzi Sets New Club Record for Career Assists by a Goaltender with 10 - Portland Winterhawks
- Flames Prospect Bell Named McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month - Tri-City Americans
- Capitals Prospect Suzdalev Named WHL Rookie of the Month - Regina Pats
- WHL Names Monthly Award Winners - WHL
- Winterhawks Sign Braeden Jockims to WHL Standard Player Agreement - Portland Winterhawks
- Hurricanes to Delay Start Time Wednesday - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Postponed Game from December 28 at Medicine Hat Rescheduled for January 22 - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers & Broncos Announce Make-Up Game - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Rematch Wheat Kings Today - Regina Pats
- Warriors Open Big Week in Lethbridge - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Rockets' Streak Continues - Kelowna Rockets
- Almquist's Game-Winner Leads Royals to 4-2 Road Win Over Rockets - Victoria Royals
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