WPHL honors league founder

by WPHL Press Release
February 19, 2001 - Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL)

WPHL Press Release

Award Honors Former WPHL President, Presented for Outstanding Perseverance

The Western Professional Hockey League has today announced the formation of a new annual award in honor of former President Rick Kozuback, the single individual most responsible for the formation and growth of the WPHL. Kozuback was chiefly responsible for developing the WPHL since the League's inception in 1996, and served as President through the 1999/2000 season. Kozuback currently serves as President / Chief Executive Officer of Global Entertainment Corporation, the WPHL's parent company.

The Annual Rick Kozuback award will be presented each season to the "the WPHL owner, front office staff member, coach or player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and commitment to the game, sport and business of hockey." The yearly recipient will have overcome adversity and shown an unyielding determination to battle through whatever obstacles they have had to overcome that season.

Current WPHL President Brad Treliving was the force behind the new award, indicating a need to recognize both Kozuback's efforts as well as those of the annual recipients. "Rick Kozuback has been a guiding force since the WPHL's inception, and his diligence, commitment and leadership will be honored when this award is presented," said Treliving. "It also will allow us to recognize those individuals who have battled significant personal challenges to proudly represent the WPHL." The first recipient of the Rick Kozuback award will be announced in Mid-March, and selected from nominees supplied from WPHL member teams.

The WPHL will also present eight other awards this season, including the Most Valuable Player, Most Outstanding Goaltender (Scott Brower Memorial), Most Outstanding Defenseman (Dale Trahan Memorial), Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, WPHL Man of the Year (Outstanding Community Service), Scoring Champion and Playoff Most Valuable Player awards. The awards will be presented between mid-March and the culmination of post-season play, expected to be completed in early May. The top four teams in each division will compete in a total of three best of seven playoff rounds to determine this year's Champion.

QUOTABLES

• "At this point of the season, you are just trying to get a W, not a shutout." (FEB.18)
  -Odessa goaltender Grant Sjerven, who made 41 saves in a 7-0 win over Amarillo, also setting a WPHL record for shutouts in a single season with five.

• "We had an opportunity to take sole possession of first place (in the East) and to tie for first place overall. You'll never get a better opportunity" (FEB.18)
  -Bossier-Shreveport Coach Scott Muscutt, after his Mudbugs knocked off division leaders Austin and New Mexico in consecutive nights.

• "The guys were hungry today and wanted to rebound, and we came out with a strong effort from start to finish." (FEB.18)
  -Fort Worth forward Justin Cardwell, whose two goals paced the Brahmas to a 4-1 win in Lake Charles, snapping a 9 game road losing streak.

• "We played our offensive game plan the to a tee: just get shots on net, create offense from rebounds. Today, the puck was just going in for us." (FEB.18)
  -El Paso defenseman Rhett Dudley, after the Buzzards won an uncharacteristically high scoring 6-5 game over San Angelo.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Cardwell, Fort Worth Brahmas
#: 33
HT: 6'0
WT: 210
DOB: 11-26-73

Cardwell recorded three multi-goal games this week, totaling 7 goals and one assist in his four games played, three of which were Brahma wins. Two goals were game winners, while four came on the power play. His total of 16 power play goals now leads lead the entire WPHL.

GP: 4
G: 7
A: 1
PTS: 8

GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Chad Lang, Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
#: 31
HT: 5'11
WT: 190
DOB: 02-11-75

Lang emerged victorious in all three of his starts this week, shutting out Lake Charles and then holding both Austin and New Mexico to two goals. His shutout of the Ice Pirates makes Lang the WPHL career shutout leader with a total of eight, three which have came this season.

GP: 3 MIN: 180:00
GA: 4 SAVE%: .951
Wins: 3 Losses: 0
SOL: 0 Shut-Outs: 1

Western Professional Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2001

• WPHL honors league founder - OSC Original by WPHL Press Release

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