Monday, October 29, 2012

VALK NAMED DENNY'S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Curtis Valk is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week.   

Valk collected 10 points, scoring seven goals and three assists to go with a +4 rating, in four games over the past week helping the Tigers to a 4-0-0-0 road record.   

On Wednesday, October 24, the Tigers played host to the visiting Kelowna Rockets at the Arena in Medicine Hat.  Valk scored two goals and was named the game’s 3rd Star in the Tigers 4-3 shoot-out victory over the Rockets.  On Friday, October 26, the Tigers were in Calgary to face the Hitmen.  In the Tigers 10-1 triumph over the Hitmen, Valk picked up four goals, added one assist and was named the game’s 1st Star.  On Saturday, October 27, the Tigers were back at home to welcome the Regina Pats.  Valk collected a pair of assists and was named the game’s 2nd Star as the Tigers edged the Pats 5-4.  The Tigers wrapped up their busy week in Moose Jaw taking on the Warriors at Mosaic Place.  Valk scored one goal in the Tigers 3-2 overtime victory over the Warriors.

Valk currently sits 2nd amongst all WHL snipers with 14 goals scored on the season and 4th in points with 25 (14 goals, 11 assists) in 17 games played thus far.  The Tigers currently sit in a tie for 4th place in the WHL Central Division with a record of 8-8-1-0 for 17 points.

A 19-year-old from Medicine Hat, AB, Valk is in his third full season playing with his hometown Tigers.  Originally a list player, Valk has gone on to appear in 144 WHL regular season games collecting 97 points (46 goals, 51 assists) and 68 penalty minutes.

The WHL has also nominated Ty Rimmer of the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award.  Rimmerposted a 3-1-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping 119 of 124 shots faced for a 0.960 save-percentage and 1.25 goals-against average.  Rimmer, a 20-year-old from Edmonton, AB, currently sits 3rd among all WHL goaltenders with a 0.921 save-percentage.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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