WHL Names Monthly Award Winners
Published on March 1, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Prince George Cougars forward Chase Wheatcroft has been named the McSweeney's WHL Player of the Month for the month of February.
Wheatcroft led all WHL skaters with 28 points (12G-16A) during the month of February, helping the Cougars earn a 10-2-0-0 record and a berth in the 2023 WHL Playoffs in the process.
The product of Calgary, Alta. recorded three or more points in a game on seven occasions in February, including a three-game stretch to close out the month that saw the 20-year-old score six times and total 11 points.
Wheatcroft put up the first hat-trick of his WHL career as part of a four-point effort February 25 at Victoria; his third goal served as the overtime winner, one day after he collected the extra-time decider in a win at Vancouver.
He became the first Western Conference skater to reach the 40-goal mark this season February 28 versus the Giants.
He begins the month of March sitting third in WHL scoring with 86 points (40G-46A); his 47 points since the Cougars returned from the December holiday break lead the Western Conference.
Originally signed by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in December of 2018 and acquired by Prince George from the Winnipeg ICE in June of 2022, Wheatcroft has totalled 168 points (71G-97A) over 193 career WHL regular season games with the Hurricanes, ICE and Cougars.
Chase Wheatcroft and the Prince George Cougars are next in action Wednesday, March 1 when they play host to the Vancouver Giants (7:00 p.m. PT, CN Centre).
THUNDERBIRDS NETMINDER MILIC NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds goaltender Thomas Milic has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Month for the month of February.
The 2023 NHL Draft prospect surrendered only 11 goals over his seven appearances in February, finishing the month with a 7-0-0-0 record, a 1.55 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and two shutouts.
The product of Coquitlam, B.C. earned clean sheets in a pair of road contests last month, turning aside 36 shots February 11 at Portland before making 26 saves February 20 at Victoria.
Milic, who back-stopped Canada's National Junior Team to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, also earned his fourth assist of the season in the February 20 contest against the Royals.
He begins the month of March sitting third among WHL netminders in goals-against average (2.03), while his .924 save percentage is tops among Western Conference goaltenders.
Milic and running mate Scott Ratzlaff were named WHL Goaltenders of the Week for the week ending February 26, 2023.
Originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the third round of the 2018 WHL Draft, Milic holds a career 55-23-3-2 record, 2.39 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts in 85 career regular season games with Seattle.
Thomas Milic and the Seattle Thunderbirds are next in action Friday, March 3 when they visit the Tri-City Americans (7:05 p.m. PT, Toyota Center).
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 February.
The Washington Capitals prospect led all first-year players with nine goals in February, finishing the month with 15 points from his 10 appearances.
The product of Khabarovsk, Russia, who competes internationally for Sweden, recorded six multi-point outings in February.
He also recorded his first WHL hat-trick as part of a four-point effort February 25 versus the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The 18-year-old begins the month of March leading all rookie skaters in goals (34), assists (41), points (75) and power-play goals (16), while his 75 points are good for sixth among WHL players.
Suzdalev was previously named the WHL Rookie of the Month for December 2022.
The 6-foot-3, 171-pound winger was originally selected by Regina in the second round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft.
He was selected by the Washington Capitals in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft and signed an entry-level contract with the NHL Club one week after being drafted.
Alexander Suzdalev and the Regina Pats are next in action Friday, March 3 when they host the Winnipeg ICE on TSN (7:00 p.m. CT, Brandt Centre, TSN 4).
Western Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2023
- Blades Hold Rebels to Ten Shots on Pucks and Paws 2 - Saskatoon Blades
- Wheat Kings Get Depth Scoring Wednesday Night - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Portland Winterhawks Hall of Fame Profile: Randy Heath - Portland Winterhawks
- Americans Fall to Western Conference Leading Thunderbirds - Tri-City Americans
- Saskatoon Blades Break All-Time Attendance Record - Saskatoon Blades
- Caedan Bankier Signs with the Minneosta Wild - Kamloops Blazers
- T-Birds Sign Seventh Player from 2022 WHL Prospects Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Chase Wheatcroft Named WHL's Player of the Month - Prince George Cougars
- Capitals Prospect Suzdalev Named WHL Rookie of the Month - Regina Pats
- WHL Names Monthly Award Winners - WHL
- Chiefs Look to Carry Momentum North as They Face Kelowna Rockets Wednesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview March 1 vs Winnipeg - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Washington Capitals Sign Ryan Hofer - Kamloops Blazers
- Warriors Open Stretch Run to Playoffs against Brandon - Moose Jaw Warriors
- CHL Team of the Month Named for February - WHL
- Game #57 - ICE at Medicine Hat - Winnipeg Ice
- Cougars Blank Giants 6-0 to Extend Winning Streak to 5 - Prince George Cougars
- Giants Shut Out Tuesday in PG - Vancouver Giants
- Broncos Opportunistic in Win Over Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
- Broncos Have Their Way In 5-2 Win Over Tigers - Medicine Hat Tigers
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