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WHL Stars Bedard and Zellweger Honoured at 2023 CHL Awards

June 3, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Kamloops, B.C. - The stars of the Western Hockey League shined brightly at the 2023 CHL Awards as Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard became the first player in Canadian Hockey League history to be named CHL David Branch Player of the Year, CHL Top Draft Prospect and CHL Top Scorer in the same season, while Kamloops Blazers defenceman Olen Zellweger was named CHL Defenceman of the Year Saturday afternoon at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

WHL Winners at the 2023 CHL Awards

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats - CHL David Branch Player of the Year presented by Kia Canada

Olen Zellweger, Kamloops Blazers - CHL Defenceman of the Year

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats - CHL Top Scorer presented by TrueHockey

Connor Bedard, Regina Pats - CHL Top Draft Prospect presented by Kubota

Presented annually, the CHL Awards celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of players from across the Canadian Hockey League, with 10 trophies presented based on individual performances.

CHL David Branch Player of the Year presented by Kia Canada - Connor Bedard, Regina Pats

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard was recognized as the most outstanding player in Canadian Major Junior Hockey after winning the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award presented by Kia Canada. Bedard, a product of North Vancouver, B.C., was named a finalist for the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award after winning the WHL's Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the most outstanding player in the WHL.

Ranked as the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard finished first in point scoring in the WHL for 2022-23, registering 143 points (71G-72A) in 57 games. His 71 goals ranked first, while his 72 assists were tied for tops in the WHL. He was also tied for the League lead in game-winning goals with 11.

This represents the second consecutive season a WHL player has been named CHL David Branch Player of the Year after Kamloops Blazers captain Logan Stankoven was recognized in 2021-22. Bedard, 17, is the first Regina Pat to be named CHL David Branch Player of the Year since Jordan Eberle was honoured in 2009-10. Bedard is the fourth Regina Pat to be tabbed as the top player in the CHL, following in the footsteps of Eberle, Doug Wickenheiser (1979-80), and Ed Staniowski (1974-75).

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Bedard was originally selected by the Regina Pats with the first-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He remains the first and only player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status. In 134 career WHL regular season contests, Bedard has tallied 271 points (134G-137A).

The CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award is selected from the winners of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL), Red Tilson Trophy (OHL), and Michel Briere Memorial Trophy (QMJHL). The trophy was renamed in 2019-20 in honour of David Branch, who has held his position as OHL Commissioner since 1979 and served as CHL President from 1996-2019.

CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award Finalists, 2022-23

Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Jordan Dumais, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Previous WHL Winners of the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award

2021-22: Logan Stankoven, Kamloops Blazers

2011-12: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans

2009-10: Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats

1997-98: Sergei Varlamov, Swift Current Broncos

1987-88: Joe Sakic, Swift Current Broncos

1986-87: Rob Brown, Kamloops Blazers

1984-85: Dan Hodgson, Prince Albert Raiders

1979-80: Doug Wickenheiser, Regina Pats

1974-75: Ed Staniowski, Regina Pats

CHL Defenceman of the Year Award - Olen Zellweger, Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers defenceman Olen Zellweger was recognized as the top defenceman in Canadian Major Junior hockey after being named CHL Defenceman of the Year. Zellweger was named a finalist for the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award after winning the WHL's Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as WHL Defenceman of the Year.

A prospect of the Anaheim Ducks (2021, 2-34), Zellweger was among the statistic league leaders for defencemen, finishing first in goals (32), first in game-winning goals (six), first in shots on goal (345), second in points (80), ninth in assists (48) and 11th in plus-minus (plus-30).

The 19-year-old product of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., is the first WHL defenceman to be named CHL Defenceman of the Year since Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs was honoured in 2018-19. Zellweger is the fourth Blazer to be named CHL Defenceman of the Year. In 1999-00, Micki Dupont was named CHL Defenceman of the Year, before Nolan Baumgartner was recognized in 1994-95, following in the footsteps of Greg Hawgood (1987-88).

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound Zellweger was originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft. In 180 career WHL regular season games, he has recorded 183 points (50G-133A).

CHL Defenceman of the Year Award Finalists, 2022-23

Pavel Mintyukov, Ottawa 67's (OHL)

Tristan Luneau, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

Previous WHL Winners of the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award

2018-19: Ty Smith, Spokane Chiefs

2015-16: Ivan Provorov, Brandon Wheat Kings

2013-14: Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks

2008-09: Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants

2007-08: Karl Alzner, Calgary Hitmen

2006-07: Kris Russell, Medicine Hat Tigers

2001-02: Dan Hamhuis, Prince George Cougars

1999-00: Micki Dupont, Kamloops Blazers

1998-99: Brad Stuart, Calgary Hitmen

1994-95: Nolan Baumgartner, Kamloops Blazers

1987-88: Greg Hawgood, Kamloops Blazers

CHL Top Scorer Award presented by TrueHockey - Connor Bedard, Regina Pats

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard was recognized as the top scorer in Canadian Major Junior hockey after being named CHL Top Scorer. Bedard was named a finalist for the CHL Top Scorer Award presented by TrueHockey after winning the WHL's Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL Top Scorer.

Ranked as the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard finished first in point scoring in the CHL for 2022-23, registering 143 points (71G-72A) in 57 games. His 71 goals were also tops in the CHL.

Bedard, 17, is the first WHL player to be named CHL Top Scorer since Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors (2017-18). This represents the second time a Regina Pat has been named CHL Top Scorer (Sam Steel, 2016-17).

A product of North, Vancouver, B.C., the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Bedard was originally selected by the Regina Pats with the first-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. He remains the first and only player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status. In 134 career WHL regular season contests, Bedard has tallied 271 points (134G-137A).

The CHL Top Scorer Award was first presented in 1994.

CHL Top Scorer Finalists, 2022-23

Matthew Maggio, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Jordan Dumais, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

Previous WHL Winners of the CHL Top Scorer Award

2017-18: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

2016-17: Sam Steel, Regina Pats

2012-13: Brendan Leipsic / Nic Petan, Portland Winterhawks

2011-12: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans

2010-11: Linden Vey, Medicine Hat Tigers

2009-10: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen

CHL Top Draft Prospect presented by Kubota Canada - Connor Bedard, Regina Pats

Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard was recognized as the CHL Top Draft Prospect presented by Kubota Canada as the top draft-eligible prospect for the NHL Draft from the Canadian Hockey League.

Ranked as the No. 1 North American skater by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard was the first WHL skater to record 140 or more points in a regular season in 27 years. He enjoyed a 35-game point streak from September 24, 2022 through February 1, 2023, recording a total of 90 points during that span.

Bedard is the first WHL player to be named CHL Top Draft Prospect since Vancouver Giants defenceman Bowen Byram in 2018-19. Bedard is also the first Regina Pat to be recognized as CHL Top Draft Prospect.

The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award was first presented in 1991.

CHL Top Draft Prospect Finalists, 2022-23

Colby Barlow, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Ethan Gauthier, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)

Previous WHL Winners of the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award

2018-19: Bowen Byram, Vancouver Giants

2016-17: Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings

2012-13: Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks

2010-11: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels

2001-02: Jay Bouwmeester, Medicine Hat Tigers

1998-99: Pavel Brendl, Calgary Hitmen

1995-96: Chris Phillips, Prince Albert Raiders

For complete information on the 2023 CHL Awards, visit CHL.ca.

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