GIANTS CUNNINGHAM WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. – The WHL Player of the Week is forward Craig Cunningham of the Vancouver Giants.

Cunningham picked up 9 points, scoring one goal and eight assists to go with a +6 rating, in three games over the past week, helping the Giants to a 3-0-0-0 record.

On Wednesday, October 20th, the Giants were in Kelowna to face the Rockets. Cunningham collected five assists to lead Vancouver to a come-from-behind victory over the Rockets 7-5. He was also named the games 1st Star. On Friday, October 22nd, the Giants played host to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Cunningham had a pair of assists in the Giants 5-2 victory over the Wheaties. The next night the Everett Silvertips were in Vancouver to face the Giants. Cunningham scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Giants 3-1 win over the ‘Tips.

Cunningham’s 9 points this past week helped maintain his top ranking among all WHL scorers with 31 points (7 goals, 24 assists) in 15 games played. The Vancouver Giants have won three straight and have also collected points in eight of their last 10 games, placing them in top spot of the WHL BC Division with an 8-5-1-1 record for 18 points.

Cunningham, from Trail, BC, is playing his 20 year old season and has spent his entire WHL career with the Vancouver Giants. The 2010 4th round pick of the Boston Bruins has appeared in 274 WHL games, scoring 208 points (83 goals, 125 assists). Cunningham has also skated in 58 WHL playoff games with the Giants acquiring 42 points.

The WHL has also nominated Mac Carruth of the Portland Winterhawks for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Carruth posted a 2-0-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping 47 of 48 shots faced for a remarkable 0.480 goals-against average and 0.979 save percentage. Carruth, a native of Shorewood, MN, back-stopped the Winterhawks to 2-0 shut-out over the Everett Silvertips and a 2-1 shoot-out win over the Portland Winterhawks, earning a 2nd Star selection each night.

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