Thursday, April 15, 2010

Eberle named WHL Eastern Conference Player of the Year

Press Release

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League today announced the WHL Eastern Conference finalist for the 2009-10 WHL Player of the Year. The two finalists for WHL Player of the Year are determined through voting by General Managers, coaches, broadcast and media representatives of all WHL Member Clubs.

In the WHL's Eastern Conference, which includes the East and Central Divisions, the Player of the Year Nominee is forward Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats.

Eberle enjoyed an outstanding 2009-10 WHL season, despite his Regina Pats not qualifying for the WHL playoffs. The 19-year-old from Regina, SK, scored 50 goals and added 56 assists for 106 points in just 57 regular-season games for his hometown team to finish second in WHL scoring. Eberle’s 1.86 points-per-game average marked the highest points-per-game average for any WHL player since the 1998-99 season.

The 5’11”, 184-lb forward finished tied for second among all WHL players with 19 power play goals, and also tied for second in shorthanded goals with six on the season. In addition, Eberle was selected among the 3 Stars in 26 of 57 games he played, earning the 1st Star selection 13 times. The leading goal-scorer in the history of Canada’s National Junior team, Eberle recorded at least one point in 50 of 57 games he played for Regina this season, and was held pointless in consecutive games on only two occasions all season.

Drafted in the first round (22nd overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Eberle has piled up 155 goals and 155 assists for 310 points in 254 games through his four years with the Pats. He was selected by the Pats in the seventh round (126th overall) in the 2005 WHL Bantam Draft.

The recipients of all WHL individual awards will be announced at the 2010 WHL Awards Luncheon, which will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Fantasyland Hotel on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010. For ticketing information please visit the Edmonton Oil Kings website,www.oilkings.ca .

WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Burnaby, BC), Red Deer Rebels
Western Conference – Shane McColgan (Manhattan, CA), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Eastern Conference – Martin Jones (North Vancouver, BC), Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference – Calvin Pickard (Winnipeg, MB), Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Michael Stone (Winnipeg, MB), Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference – Tyson Barrie (Victoria, BC), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy
Eastern Conference – Jason Bast (Moose Jaw, SK) Moose Jaw Warriors
Western Conference – Jared Spurgeon (Edmonton, AB), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Adam Lowry (Calgary, AB) Swift Current Broncos
Western Conference – Spencer Main (North Vancouver, BC) Kelowna Rockets

WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Mark Holick, Kootenay Ice
Western Conference – Craig Hartsburg, Everett Silvertips

WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Kelly McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Bob Tory, Tri-City Americans

WHL Humanitarian of the Year, Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Matt Fraser (Red Deer, AB) Kootenay Ice
Western Conference – Zack Dailey (Healy, AK) Everett Silvertips

WHL Marketing / Public Relations Award
Eastern Conference – Brandon Wheat Kings, Rick Dillabough
Western Conference – Everett Silvertips, Zoran Rajcic

WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
Calgary Hitmen: GP – 72 W – 52 L – 17 OTL – 1 SL – 2 Pts – 107

WHL Top Scorer – Bob Clarke Trophy
Brandon Kozun – (Calgary, AB) Calgary Hitmen
GP – 65 G – 32 A – 75 Pts – 107 PIM - 50


(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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