DUBNetwork’s 2016-17 “All-20” WHL All-Star Team

The current rules allow each Western Hockey League team to include three 20-year-old players on their roster. These are seemingly interchangeable spots on a WHL roster throughout the season, often devoted to players with high-end skills or, perhaps just as important, high-end character.

At 20 years of age, a WHL player might be fully four years older than some of his teammates. It’s a disparity that has been spoken to and debated in many quarters over the years, with many conflicting opinions.

The effectiveness of these 20-year-old players is crucial throughout the grind that is the 72-game regular season. They can also have an enormously positive impact on their younger teammates, both on and off the ice.

As DUBNetwork contributors, we have pooled our intellectual resources throughout the season and all are excited about the upcoming playoffs. We are confident we’ll see much more of the same high-energy and gritty performances from the players and coaches – the people who make it all happen for us.

The 2016-17 season has provided WHL followers with tremendous excitement, highs and lows associated with triumph and despair, achievement and injury, development and progress. The 20-year-old players are a huge part of this experience.

As a group, it is safe to say that the 60+ overagers in the WHL this season have devoted the majority of their teenage years to junior hockey and the communities they have played in. Many will move on to play hockey in conjunction with their post-secondary education, thanks to the WHL’s generous scholarship program. Some of these wily veterans will earn professional contracts, in North America or elsewhere around the globe.

As a tribute to the 20-year-old players, many of whom have already played their final WHL game, DUBNetwork has selected its own WHL All-Star team, consisting only of 20-year-old players.

Moving forward, we may modify how we choose to honour these overage players. But this year, our selections are based solely on performance during the 2016-17 season.

 

Centre: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native did what he was supposed to do this past season. As a veteran forward with high-end puck skills, Brooks scored at nearly a two-point per game pace. With 43 goals and 87 assists in 66 games, he finished just shy of tying for the WHL scoring lead; team mate Sam Steel edged Brooks by one point. Last season, Brooks won the scoring derby, collected 120 points.

Brooks, who checks in at 5’10 and 175 pounds, was a second round pick at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. Since then, he has collected 366 points in 342 WHL games, with a potentially deep playoff run ahead. Selected in the fourth round, 92nd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2016 NHL Draft, the Pats team captain has yet to sign a pro contract.

 

Right Wing: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes

From Cochrane, Alberta, Wong entered the WHL at the 2011 Bantam Draft as a fifth round pick, 101st overall. His career in Lethbridge has included the lowest of lows and then during these past two seasons, the tremendous turnaround orchestrated by the franchise. In 69 games this season, the 5’9, 176-pounder scored 51 goals and added 58 assists.

Wong’s career has included 322 WHL games. Undrafted by an NHL team, he did sign an ATO with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL last spring. Respected in Lethbridge for his community work, the team captain will be an important part of the ‘Canes playoff fortunes.

 

Left Wing: Ryan Gropp, Seattle Thunderbirds

The Kamloops, British Columbia native saved his best offensive season for last, scoring 35 goals and adding 49 assists for 84 points – all career highs. The 6’3, 205-pound winger spent much of the season playing alongside Mathew Barzal and Keegan Kolesar, forming one of the most potent power play units in the WHL.

Gropp, a veteran of 284 WHL games, entered the league as the sixth overall selection at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. At the 2015 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers chose Gropp in the second round, 41st overall. On December 31, 2015 he signed an entry level contract.

 

Defence: Aaron Irving, Everett Silvertips

The Edmonton, Alberta native was a big trade deadline acquisition, moving over to Everett from the Oil Kings. Irving played in 32 games for the ‘Tips, collecting four goals and 11 assists. With Edmonton, the 6’1, 200-pound rearguard scored 14 goals and added 29 assists in 39 games.

His 309-game (and counting) WHL career began when the Oil Kings made him their first round selection, ninth overall, at the 2011 Bantam Draft. At the 2014 NHL Draft, Nashville chose Irving in the sixth round, 162nd overall, but he has gone unsigned. The burly defender was a member of the Oil Kings when the team won the 2014 Memorial Cup.

 

Defence: Coltyn Bobyk, Red Deer Rebels

The Rimbey, Alberta native began his WHL career with the Spokane Chiefs, but was able to finish it off closer to home when the Rebels acquired him midway through the 2014-15 season. Bobyk was a late pick by the Chiefs at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft – 217th overall in the 10th round. He has played in parts of five seasons – a total of 253 games.

The 6’2, 198-pounder scored five goals and added a career-high 45 assists this season in 70 games. After battling injuries early on, Bobyk became a very durable and productive defenceman in Red Deer. Capable of quarterbacking power play, Bobyk has also never been one to shy away from the tough going.

 

Goaltender: Ty Edmonds, Prince George Cougars

Ty Edmonds arrived in Prince George as a ninth round pick, 186th overall, by the Cougars at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. He will end his career as the organizations all-time record holder for victories by a goalie with 101 and counting.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native backstopped Prince George to its first ever B.C. Division title this season. He appeared in 53 games, compiling a 2.48 GAA and .916 SA.  Edmonds, who is destined for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns next season, checks in at 6’2 and 180 pounds.

 

Honourable Mention

A handful of other players also garnered recognition from our panel, including:

Steve Owre, C – Medicine Hat Tigers

Dawson Leedahl, LW – Regina Pats

Keegan Iverson, RW – Portland Winterhawks

Clayton Kirichenko, D – Medicine Hat Tigers

Rylan Toth, G – Seattle Thunderbirds