Monday, January 16, 2012

BLAZERS' SMITH WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers forward Colin Smith is the WHL Player of the Week.

Smith collected seven points, scoring three goals and four assists to go with a +6 rating, in three games over the past week helping the Blazers to a 3-0-0-0 record.

On Wednesday, January 11, the Blazers’ played host the League leading Tri-City Americans. Smith tallied two goals and was named the games 1st Star in the Blazers 3-2 win over the Ams. On Friday, January 13, Smith scored one goal, added three assists and was named the games 2nd Star in the Blazers 7-1 win over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds. On Saturday, January 14, the Everett Silvertips were in Kamloops to face the Blazers. Smith picked up one assist in the Blazers 5-2 victory over the ‘Tips.

Smith currently ranks 16th among all WHL scorers with 54 points (22 goals, 31 assists) in 44 games played thus far this season. The Blazers have won six straight games and currently sit second in the WHL Western Conference with a 31-10-1-2 record for 65 points, just one back of the Tri-City Americans.

An 18-year-old from Edmonton, AB, Smith is in his third full season with the Kamloops Blazers. A seventh overall selection in the 2008 WHL Draft, Smith has already set career highs in all offensive categories this season with 28 games remaining.

The WHL has also nominated Mac Carruth of the Portland Winterhawks for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Carruth posted a 3-0-0-0 record with one shut-out this past week, stopping 95 of 98 shots faced for a 0.969 save-percentage and 1.00 goals-against average. Carruth, a 19-year-old from Shorewood, MN, led the Winterhawks to a pair of victories over the Kelowna Rockets (4-2, 2-1) and a 4-0 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.

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

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