Monday, November 21, 2011

WHEAT KINGS' STONE WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Brandon Wheat Kings’ forward Mark Stone is the WHL Player of the Week.

Stone collected eight points, scoring three goals and five assists to go with a +4 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Wheat Kings to a 2-1-0-0 record. He also scored one goal and an assist for Team WHL in their 7-5 loss to Russia at the SUBWAY Super Series on Thursday, November 17 in Moose Jaw and was named Player of the Game.

On Friday, November 18, the Wheat Kings hosted the Medicine Hat Tigers at Westman Place in Brandon. Stone scored one goal to help lead the Wheaties to a 6-4 win over the Tigers. The next night, Saturday, November 19, Stone scored one goal, added two assists and was named the games 3rd Star in the Wheat Kings 5-4 loss at the hands of the Broncos in Swift Current. On Sunday, November 20, the Wheat Kings were in Moose Jaw to face the Warriors. Stone scored one goal, added three assists and was named the games 1st Star in the Wheat Kings 7-6 over-time win against the Warriors.

Stone currently leads all WHL Scorers with 54 points in 23 games played and sits 3rd in goals with 22 on the season. The Wheat Kings have won five of their last six games and currently sit second in the WHL East Division and Eastern Conference with a 16-7-1-1 record for 34 points, just one back of the leading Saskatoon Blades.

A 19-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, Stone is entering his fourth full season with the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Manitoban enjoyed career highs in all offensive categories last season, scoring 37 goals and 69 assists for 106 points, third best in the WHL. Stone recently signed an NHL entry level contract with Ottawa Senators after attending his second rookie camp with the organization this year. This is his third WHL Player of the Week Award.

The WHL has also nominated Calvin Pickard of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Pickard posted a 2-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping and incredible 90 of 93 shots faced for a 0.968 save-percentage and 1.50 goals-against average. Pickard, from Winnipeg, MB, led the Thunderbirds to victories over the two tops teams in the WHL U.S. Division, the Tri-City Americans (3-0) and Portland Winterhawks (6-3).

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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