WHL Western Hockey League

Winterhawks' Bjorkstrand Named Denny's WHL Player of the Week

Published on March 16, 2015 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks forward Oliver Bjorkstrand is the Denny's WHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 15 th, 2015.

Bjorkstrand collected 11 points (5g-6a) in four games to help the Winterhawks earn an overall record of 2-1-0-1 for the week.

On Wednesday, March 11th against the Everett Silvertips, Bjorkstrand recorded two goals in a 6-1 victory and also claimed second star honours. On Friday, March 13th, Bjorkstrand scored a goal in a 5-3 loss to the Spokane Chiefs. On Saturday, March 14th, Bjorkstrand recorded three points (1g-2a) against the Prince George Cougars in a 6-5 shootout loss. The following night, Bjorkstrand capped off an exceptional week when he put together a five-point performance (1g-4a) in an 8-6 victory over the Spokane Chiefs while earning first star honours.

The Herning, Denmark native earns his fourth Denny's Player of the Week nod of the year and also earned WHL Player of the Month honours for both January and February. The 6'0", 168 lb forward sits atop the WHL in scoring with 108 points (57g-51a) in just 55 games played. Bjorkstrand is in his third WHL season with the Winterhawks and has tallied 280 points (138g-142a) in 189 career regular season contests. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Bjorkstrand in the third round, 89th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft.

The WHL has also nominated Collman Vollrath of the Victoria Royals for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Vollrath, a 1995-born netminder from Calgary, AB, registered a 1.00 goals against average and a .970 save percentage, including two shutouts, while winning all three of his starts last week. On Wednessday, March 11 th, Vollrath stopped 44 shots to earn a 6-3 win against the Western Conference-leading Kelowna Rockets. On Friday, March 13th, Vollrath turned aside all 25 shots he faced against the Vancouver Giants in a 2-0 defeat to pick up his fifth shutout of the season and claim first star honours. The following night, Vollrath stopped 28 shots to shutout the Vancouver Giants again in a 3-0 victory while also setting a franchise record for most shutouts in a single season with six. Currently in his third season in the WHL, Vollrath has posted a 52-34-4-4 record with seven shutouts in 113 career WHL regular season appearances.

Denny's WHL Player of the Week

Mar. 9 - Mar. 15: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks

Mar. 2 - Mar. 8: Peter Quenneville, Brandon Wheat Kings

Feb. 23 - Mar. 1: Jansen Harkins, Prince George Cougars

Feb. 16 - Feb. 22: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings

Feb. 9 - Feb. 15: Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets

Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Rihards Bukarts, Brandon Wheat Kings

Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks

Jan. 19 - Jan. 25: Tyrell Goulbourne, Kelowna Rockets

Jan. 12 - Jan. 18: Tim McGauley, Brandon Wheat Kings

Jan. 5 - Jan. 11: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks

Dec. 29 - Jan. 4: Travis Brown, Victoria Royals

Dec. 15 - Dec. 28: Trevor Cox, Medicine Hat Tigers

Dec. 8 - Dec. 14: Cole Sanford, Medicine Hat Tigers

Dec. 1 - Dec. 7: Connor Rankin, Calgary Hitmen

Nov. 24 - Nov. 30: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks

Nov. 17 - Nov. 23: Lane Bauer, Edmonton Oil Kings

Nov. 10 - Nov. 16: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice

Nov. 3 - Nov. 9: Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets

Oct. 27 - Nov. 2: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders

Oct. 20 - Oct. 26: Conner Bleackley, Red Deer Rebels

Oct. 13 - Oct. 19: Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals

Oct. 6 - Oct. 12: Ivan Nikolishin, Everett Silvertips

Sept. 29 - Oct. 5: Madison Bowey, Kelowna Rockets

Sept. 22 - Sept. 28: Carson Stadnyk, Everett Silvertips

Sept. 19 - Sept. 21: Jay Merkley, Swift Current Broncos

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2015


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