COUGARS ACOLATSE WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. – The WHL Player of the Week is defenceman Sena Acolatse of the Prince George Cougars.

Acolatse picked up 11 points, scoring three goals and eight assists to go with a +8 rating, in three games over the past week, helping the Cougars to a 2-0-1-0 record.

On Monday, October 11th, the Cougars were at Rexall Place to take on the Edmonton Oil Kings in a Thanksgiving match-up. Acolatse scored one goal and added a pair of assists as the Cougars were edged by the Oil Kings 8-7 in over-time. On Friday, October 15th, the Cougars played host to the Prince Albert Raiders at the CN Centre. Acolatse collected three assists and was named the games 1st Star as the Cougars defeated the Raiders 5-2. The next evening the Cougars were in Kamloops at the Interior Savings Centre to face the Blazers. Acolatse found the net twice, including the game winner, and added three assists in the Cougars 8-1 drumming of the Blazers. He was also named the games 2nd Star.

Acolatse’s 11 points this past week vaults him to 3rd spot among all WHL defenceman in scoring with three goals and eight assists. The Prince George Cougars have collected points in five of their last six games and currently sit second in the WHL B.C. Division with a record of 5-4-1-0 for 11 points, just one back of the leading Vancouver Giants.

Acolatse, from Edmonton, Alberta, is playing his 20 year old season and was acquired from the Saskatoon Blades early in October. The veteran defenceman has appeared in 262 career WHL games scoring 102 points and collecting 392 penalty minutes.

The WHL has also nominated Mark Friesen of the Swift Current Broncos for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Friesen posted a 5-0-0-0 record this past week with two shut-outs, stopping 144 of 149 shots faced for a remarkable 0.980 goals-against average and 0.966 save percentage. Friesen, a native of Winkler, MB, back-stopped the Broncos to five straight victories over strong competition earning 1st Star honours three times along with a 2nd Star selection.

Boston Pizza WHL Player of the Week
Oct. 11 – Oct. 17: Sena Acolatse, Prince George Cougars
Oct. 4 – Oct. 10: Darian Dziurzynski, Saskatoon Blades
Sept. 27 – Oct. 3: Brad Ross, Portland Winterhawks
Sept. 24 – Sept. 26: Tyler Maxwell, Everett Silvertips

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