CODY CHIKIE WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Press Release

CALGARY, AB. – The WHL Player of the Week is forward Cody Chikie of the Kelowna Rockets.

Chikie picked up seven points, scoring one goal and six assists to go with a +4 rating, in two games over the past week, helping the Rockets to 2-0-0-0 record.

On Friday, January 28th, the Rockets welcome the Prince George Cougars to Prospera Place in Kelowna. Chikie scored one goal, added three assists and was named the games 1st Star as the Rockets downed the Cougars 7-3. The next night, Saturday, January 29th, the Vancouver Giants were in Kelowna to face the Rockets. Chikie picked up three assists in the Rockets 7-3 victory over the Giants.

With Chikie’s seven points in 10 games he now has 24 points on the season (10 goals, 14 assists) in 45 games played. The Rockets have won six straight, and eight of their past 10 contests, to sit first place in the WHL BC Division and second spot in the Western Conference with a 29-20-0-0 record for 58 points.

Chikie, a 19 year-old from St. Albert, AB, is playing his second full season with the Rockets who acquired the forward from the Saskatoon Blades prior to the 2009-10 season. He has appeared in 118 WHL games gathering 28 goals, 30 assists for 58 career points, along with 95 PIM.

The WHL has also nominated Kent Simpson of the Everett Silvertips for the CHL Goaltender of the Week Award. Simpson posted a 3-1-0-0 record this past week with one shut-out, stopping 139 of 144 shots faced for a 1.25 goals-against average and a 0.965 save percentage. Simpson, a native of Edmonton, AB, helped the Silvertips to a pair of wins over the Seattle Thunderbirds and a victory over the Prince George Cougars.

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