WHL Names Monthly Award Winners
Published on February 1, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard has been named the McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month for the month of January.
Bedard, the top-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings, led all WHL players with 16 goals and 24 points over the month of January despite appearing in only seven games.
The 17-year-old product of North Vancouver, B.C., scored three or more goals on three occasions in January, including a four-goal, six-point contest January 8 versus Calgary.
Bedard also recorded hat-tricks January 13 versus Saskatoon and January 29 against Medicine Hat.
He begins the month of February leading the WHL in goals (43), assists (45) and points (88), and has recorded points in each of his last 34 WHL contests dating back to September 24, 2022.
Bedard is also riding a 10-game goal-scoring streak with the Pats, a run that began November 30, 2022.
Originally selected by Regina with the first-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Bedard has accrued 216 points (106G-110A) over 112 career WHL contests.
Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats are next in action Wednesday, February 1 when they continue an Alberta road swing versus the Calgary Hitmen on TSN (7:00 p.m. MT, Scotiabank Saddledome, TSN 1/3).
WARRIORS NETMINDER UNGAR NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
The Western Hockey League announced today that Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender Connor Ungar has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of January.
Ungar led all WHL goaltenders with eight wins in January, helping the Warriors collect points in 11 of his 12 outings this past month by posting a 2.37 goals-against average and .933 save percentage to go along with his 8-1-0-3 record.
The 21-year-old rang up a string of four consecutive wins January 13 through January 18, including a 42-save effort on home ice January 13 versus Portland.
The product of Calgary, Alta. made 40 or more saves on three occasions in January, including matching a career-best with 47 stops January 11 at Red Deer.
Ungar begins the month of February leading all WHL goaltenders with 25 wins and a .924 save percentage this season.
Originally signed by the Brandon Wheat Kings in September of 2018, Ungar holds a career 52-19-2-3 record, 2.57 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and three shutouts in 85 career regular season games with Brandon, Red Deer and Moose Jaw.
Connor Ungar and the Moose Jaw Warriors are next in action Wednesday, February 1 when they visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes (7:00 p.m. MT, Enmax Centre).
RAIDERS FORWARD RITCHIE NAMED WHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie has been named the WHL Rookie of the Month for the month of January.
Ritchie totalled a team-leading 12 points (7G-5A) over his 12 appearances with Prince Albert this past month, leading all WHL first-year players with seven goals.
The product of Calgary, Alta. began his month with a two-goal outing January 1 at Regina before closing out January with a tally in the Raiders' 6-3 victory at Victoria January 31.
The 16-year-old collected three multi-point games over the course of January including back-to-back two-point outings January 13 versus Seattle and January 14 at Edmonton.
The 5-foot-10, 157-pound forward sits in a third-place tie among 16-year-old WHL skaters with 28 points during the 2022-23 regular season.
Originally selected by Prince Albert with the 14th-overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Ritchie has compiled 12 goals and 16 assists from his 38 career WHL appearances.
Ryder Ritchie and the Prince Albert Raiders are next in action Wednesday, February 1 when they pay a visit to the Vancouver Giants (7:00 p.m. PT, Langley Events Centre).
Western Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2023
- ICE Top Saskatoon - Winnipeg Ice
- Rockets to host mental health awareness game in partnership with CMHA Kelowna - Kelowna Rockets
- Warriors Netminder Ungar Named WHL Goaltender of the Month - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Captain Bedard Named McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month for 3rd Time - Regina Pats
- WHL Names Monthly Award Winners - WHL
- WHL Announces Support of Orange Jersey Project in Partnership with Orange Shirt Society - WHL
- Game Day Hub: February 1 at Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Play Hitmen for Final Time this Season - Regina Pats
- Broncos Push Late But Drop 4-2 Game to Thunderbirds - Swift Current Broncos
- CHL Team of the Month Named for January - WHL
- Warriors Head to Alberta for Three-Game Set - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Release Details on February 7 Signing Event - Regina Pats
- Game #43 - ICE vs Saskatoon Blades, 7:00 at the ICE Cave Inside Wayne Fleming Arena - Winnipeg Ice
- Royals Wrap-Up Home Stand with Loss to Raiders - Victoria Royals
- T-Birds Bust Broncos - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Pats Battle Back But Fall to Rebels 6-5 in OT - Regina Pats
- Blades Gut Out 2-1 OT Win vs Wheat Kings - Saskatoon Blades
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