Monday, November 17, 2008

Players of the Week

WHL Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week is forward Andy Smith of the Chilliwack Bruins.

Smith picked up seven points, scoring four goals and three assists to go with a +4 rating, in three games over the past week, helping the Bruins post a 2-0-1-0 record in that span.

On Tuesday, November 11th, the Chilliwack Bruins played host to their west coast rivals, the Vancouver Giants, at Prospera Centre. Smith scored two goals and added an assist in his debut with the Bruins, since being traded from the Prince Albert Raiders, as Chilliwack downed Vancouver 3-2. Smith was also named the games 2nd Star.

On Saturday, November 15th, the Prince George Cougars rolled into Chilliwack to face the Bruins. Smith picked up a goal and an assist in a game that saw the Cougars tie it up with five minutes remaining, and then take it 5-4 in overtime. Smith was also named the games 3rd Star.

The next evening, Sunday, November 16th, the Bruins travelled to the B.C. interior to take on the Kamloops Blazers at the Interior Savings Centre. Smith netted one goal and added another assist to his weekly total as the Bruins defeated the Blazers 5-2.

With the Bruins collecting five out of a possible six points versus WHL B.C. Division rivals this past week they find themselves just three points back of the Kamloops Blazers for 3rd place in the Division with an 8-11-2-2 record.

Smith, a 19-year-old from Rosetown, Saskatchewan, is currently in his third full season of play in the Western Hockey League. He was selected by Prince Albert in the 6th round of the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft and went onto play 139 games for the Raiders before joining the Chilliwack Bruins last week.

The WHL has also nominated Martin Jones of the Calgary Hitmen for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Jones posted a 3-0-0-0 record this past week, allowing just three goals on 66 shots for a 1.000 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage.

Jones, an 18 year-old from North Vancouver, British Columbia, is in his third season with the Calgary Hitmen. After going unselected at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Jones was offered a free agent try-out with the Los Angeles Kings later in the summer. Following a great rookie camp and tremendous main camp the Kings decided to sign Jones to a three year entry level NHL contract.

Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week
Sept. 18 – Sept. 21: Jordan Weal, Regina Pats
Sept. 22 – Sept. 28: Joel Broda, Moose Jaw Warriors
Sept. 29 – Oct. 5: Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 6 – Oct. 12: Evander Kane, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 13 – Oct. 19: Jay Fehr, Brandon Wheat Kings
Oct. 20 – Oct. 26: Jamie Benn, Kelowna Rockets
Oct. 27 – Nov. 2: Dana Tyrell, Prince George Cougars
Nov. 3 – Nov. 9: C.J. Stretch, Kamloops Blazers
Nov. 10 – Nov. 16: Andy Smith, Chilliwack Bruins

QMJHL Press Release

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, November 17, 2008 – Drummondville Voltigeurs forward Yannick Riendeau and Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Simon Després today were named the TELUS offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from November 10 to 16.

In three Voltigeurs wins, Riendeau collected three goals, including a game-winner, and added four helpers while posting a +2 rating. He enjoyed his best game of the week on Friday, recording four points in an 8-3 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs. Moreover, he was named the game’s first star. Riendeau is currently tied for seventh in the QMJHL scoring race with 32 points.

Kelsey Tessier (Remparts), Paul Byron (Olympiques) and Payton Liske (Sea Dogs) were also considered.

Simon Després is the award winner on defense. The Sea Dogs’ defenseman played a key role in three Saint John wins, registering one goal and five assists. He contributed balanced scoring with two points in each contest. Després was also a healthy +3. He will be in uniform for both ADT Canada-Russia contests this week.

Antoine Tardif (Voltigeurs), Hugo Laporte (Olympiques) and Nicholas Champion (Titan) were also strong candidates.

QMJHL makes another roster change for the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

The OHL hasn't released its Player of the Week yet.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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