– Red Deer, AB
For the first time in Western Hockey League history, a single person has won the Goaltender of the Year trophy for the third season in a row.
Philadelphia Flyers prospect and Everett Silvertips starting netminder, Carter Hart, was once again the recipient of the accolades. Despite suffering a bout of Mononucleosis, Hart backstopped the Silvertips to a 31-6-1-3 record in 41 appearances. Most notable was his goals against average of 1.60, which was good for first in the WHL by more than a full goal per game. His save percentage was also far and away the best in the league, posting a .947 rate. His closest competition in that category just happened to be his teammate, Dustin Wolf.
This season, Hart also tied the league record for career shutouts, notching seven over the course of this season to wind up with 26 on his career. Hart is known not to be much of a numbers guy but he said when asked about the record. “It’s definitely really cool to do that. When I was in Everett there, even just to beat the Silvertips shutout record which was held by Leland Irving, who was also an unbelievable goalie… He was my stallmate in Philly and we had some good talks and he was a really good guy.”
Hart was also named the recipient of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s Player of the Year.
“It’s a huge honor, it just kind of goes to show what we have been doing down there this year.” said Hart following the awards presentation.
The Western Hockey League’s Scholastic Player of the Year Award was given to Ty Smith of the Spokane Chiefs. Smith was able to maintain marks above 90 percent in Computer Applications B, Anatomy and Physiology A as well as in Physics. Also nominated was Chase Wouters of the Saskatoon Blades.
The Saskatoon Blades were named the WHL’s Scholastic Team of the Year. Education advisor Kim Herbert was sent to the podium to collect the award. This award will certainly help the Blades in their continued efforts in recruitment going forward as parents and players will be attracted to the excellent education program put in place by the team.
Brett Iverson was awarded the Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Top Official. Iverson has won the award for the second straight season, joining other notable officials; Nathan Wieler, Chris Savage, Andy Thiessen and others as two-time winners. Iverson was unable to attend as he was away preparing for the 2018 Men’s World Hockey Championships. He has also officiated in other events such as the Olympics, World Junior Championships and does work in the American Hockey League as well.
It was the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Everett Silvertips who were nominated for the WHL Business Award. Through their various programs and marketing initiatives, it was the Edmonton Oil Kings receiving the plaque.
20-year-old forward Ty Ronning was named the WHL Humanitarian of the Year. The New York Rangers prospect was a leader in the community, spending time with children at various schools in Langley. He also volunteered at the Giants Hockey School. Ronning is the first Vancouver Giant to win this award.
Leading his team to a 48-17-5-2 record, Manny Viveiros was the recipient of the Dunc Mcallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL Coach of the Year. It was Viveiros’ second season behind the Broncos bench. The team finished fourth in the CHL Top 10, and held a spot in the rankings for much of the 2017-18 season.
The other team in the WHL final series is the Everett Silvertips and it was General Manager Garry Davidson who was named as the winner of the Lloyd Sanders Memorial Trophy. The Silvertips added key pieces around the trade deadline and went on to capture the U.S. Division banner. Everett’s 47-20-2-3 record was good for third in the WHL regular season.
For the first time since Wes Walz won the Jim Piggot Memorial Trophy in 1988-89, a Lethbridge Hurricanes player was called to the podium
to collect the Rookie of the Year trophy. Dylan Cozens helped send the Lethbridge Hurricanes into the playoffs with an incredible 53 points in 57 games. He was just one point behind Peyton Krebs for the rookie scoring lead, but he played in 10 fewer games.
For the fourth time and in back-to-back years a Swift Current Broncos player was awarded the Brad Hornung Trophy. This year it was Aleksi Heponiemi following Tyler Steenbergen’s 2017-18 win. Heponiemi had just 28 penalty minutes in 57 games while scoring 118 points. The Florida Panthers prospect hails from Tampere, Finland.
The Defenseman of the Year was awarded to the only player who among the award winners who was traded during the course of the season. Kale Clague was a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings before he was moved to the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Los Angeles Kings draft pick scored 11 goals and added 60 assists in 54 regular season games. He also helped Canada to a World Juniors gold medal.
Jayden Halbgewachs was the leading scorer in the WHL and CHL this season. He was presented with the Bob Clarke Trophy after scoring 70 goals and adding 59 assists.
