Monday, January 12, 2009

WHL and QMJHL Players of the Week

QMJHL

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, January 12, 2009 – Saint John Sea Dogs forward Steven Anthony and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles backstop Olivier Roy today were named the TELUS offensive and defensive players of the week for the period extending from January 5 to 11.

Anthony registered three goals, including a score on a penalty shot, and added five assists in only two contests. Moreover, he posted a +3 rating. The Sea Dogs center enjoyed a career-best six-point game yesterday in an 8-1 win over the Gatineau Olympiques at Harbour Station. Saint John sits in third place in the Altantic division standings with 50 points.

Yannick Riendeau (Voltigeurs), Alexandre Quesnel (Olympiques) and Jonathan Audy-Marchessault (Remparts) were also considered.

Defensively, goaltender Olivier Roy receives the award. In three Cape Breton wins, Roy posted a 1.67 goals-against-average and .950 save percentage despite face an average of 33 shots per game. He enjoyed his best outing of the week yesterday against the Wildcats in Moncton, making 36 saves in a 4-1 win. Roy was named the game’s first star. The Screaming Eagles are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak.

Alex Grant (Cataractes), Jake Allen (Junior) and Mikael Tam (Remparts) were also strong candidates.

WHL

Kane picked up 6 points, scoring four goals and two assists to go with a +3 rating in two road games this past week, helping the Giants post a 2-0-0-0 road record in that span.

On Friday, January 9th, the Giants began a seven game road trip with the first stop in Cranbrook, B.C. to face the Kootenay Ice. Kane scored two goals, including the game-winner, and added an assist as the Giants defeated the Ice 4-1. He was also named the games 1st Star.

The next evening, Saturday, January 10th, the defending Eastern Conference Champion Hurricanes hosted the Vancouver Giants at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge. Kane had another two goal performance and assisted on the OT-winner as the Giants fended off the Hurricane comeback to take a 5-4 over-time victory. He was also named the games 2nd Star.

Kane’s six points over the last two games has put him back in the top 10 among all WHL scorers, currently sitting 8th with 26 goals, 28 assists for 54 points in 30 games. With the two victories the Giants remain 1st in the WHL B.C. Division and Western Conference and boast the WHL’s best winning percentage at 0.877.

Kane, a 17 year-old left winger from Vancouver, British Columbia, is in his second season with the Giants. He recently returned from the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Ontario having helped Canada capture its 5th straight Gold medal. This highly touted forward has been projected to be an early pick at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and has been selected to compete in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this Wednesday in Oshawa, Ontario.

The WHL has also nominated rookie James Reid of the Spokane Chiefs for the ADT CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Reid posted a 2-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, allowing just one goal on 43 shots for a 0.500 goals-against average and .977 save percentage.

Reid, an 18 year-old from Calgary, Alberta, is in his first season of play in the Western Hockey League with the Spokane Chiefs. He spent last season with the Calgary Canucks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League appearing in 23 games posting a 3.30 GAA.

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
Nov. 17 – Nov. 23: Scott Glennie, Brandon Wheat Kings
Nov. 24 – Nov. 30: Taylor Procyshen, Tri-City Americans
Dec. 1 – Dec. 7: Brett Sonne, Calgary Hitmen
Dec. 8 – Dec. 14: Ian Duval, Moose Jaw Warriors
Dec. 15 – Dec. 28: Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen
Dec. 29 – Jan. 4: Joel Broda, Moose Jaw Warriors
Jan. 5 – Jan. 11: Evander Kane, Vancouver Giants

(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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