The Regina Pats 2019-20 season came to an end last week when the WHL announced the cancellation of the remaining regular season games. With a record of 21-34-6-2, Regina finished with 50 points, 23 points back of Saskatoon for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Days after the conclusion of their season, Regina did take some time to celebrate as they handed out their year-end awards.
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Without much of a surprise, Robbie Holmes was named the team’s Player of the Year. The 20-year-old had a career-high 48 points this season, 19 of which were goals. In 231 games in the WHL, Robbie tallied up 114 points. All but 36 of Robbie’s games in the league came with the Pats.
Charles Johnston Memorial Top Defenceman:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
This was presented to Ryker Evans. After putting up just 11 points last season, Evans stepped it up offensively this campaign. He notched a career-high 31 points (7G).
That was second among Regina defenceman this season.
Evans also lit up the twine with two game-winning goals this season.
Rick Rypien Memorial Award (Unsung Hero):
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Nikita Sedov was one of the Pats most consistent defenders all season long, he was a player the team could rely on to play as hard as he could every shift. Thanks to his contributions, Sedov was given the RIck Rypien Memorial Award.
The native of Tyumen, Russia, also scored his first five goals in the WHL and he added 10 assists for a 15 point total.
Nick Papas Rookie of the Year:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Just 105 kilometres separated Drew Englot from his hometown of Candiac, Saskatchewan and Regina, Saskatchewan. If this year was a sign of things to come, the Pats are sure happy they have Englot on their roster as the 17-year-old chalked up 12 goals and six assists this season in 58 games.
The second half of the season is where Englot really showed what he can do. In 27 games leading up to the end of the season, Drew had 12 points. He’s this year’s winner of the Nick Papas Rookie of the Year award.
Hub Bishop Most Sportsmanlike:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
Zach Wytinck played the first 180 games of his Western Hockey League career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Seven of those games came to begin this season. However, after Dom Schmiemann was picked up from Tri-City, Darren Ritchie made a move to send Zach to the Pats.
Known to be a great guy in the dressing room and fan favourite on the ice, Zach provided a young Regina team with some leadership and scoring touch.
In 52 games with them, Wytinck scored eight times and he had 36 assists for a 44 point total. In all, Zach finished 12th in WHL defenceman scoring this season with 47 points.
He is this year’s Hub Bishop Most Sportsmanlike player.
Mike Kartusch Community Service Award:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
This award was given to a player who loved being out in the community. Whether that be helping out kids at schools, or helping out with different organizations in Regina, this man was always front and centre.
In all, he made over 20 community appearances throughout the season. He also wore an “A” on his sweater and he scored five goals while adding nine assists. This year’s Mike Kartusch Community Service Award was given to Kyle Walker, from Leduc, Alberta.
Bill Hicke Most Popular Player:
The fans voted and they sure made their voices clear. 20-year-old Robbie Holmes is this year’s Bill Hicke Most Popular Player.
Scholastic Player of the Year:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
The Regina Pats shook things up earlier this season when they sent Max Paddock to the Prince Albert Raiders. The main piece coming back was Jakob Brook of Roblin, Manitoba. Brook has always made it a priority of his to not only excel on the ice but in the classroom as well.
He maintained a 95.2% average during the 2019-20 academic year. He completed ELA 30, Physics 30, Pre-Calculus 30, Physical Education 30, and Life Transitions 30 in semester 1. He’s currently finishing Biology 30 and History 30, online through Manitoba Distance Learning.
Brook is this year’s Regina Scholastic Player of the year and he’s also the team’s nominee for the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year.
Torchey Schell Top Scorer Award:
(Photo – Keith Hershmiller)
This one’s simple, it’s the player that led Regina in scoring this year and it’s another 20-year-old. Austin Pratt put up 57 points in 63 games this year, a new-career high and he had 108 points in the past two seasons. From Lakeville, Minnesota, Pratt scored four times on the power play, once shorthanded and he had two game-winners.
In 317 WHL games, Pratt had 174 points.
The Pats’ officially closed the book on the 2019-20 season by handing out one more award to a player that already received two.
Three Star Award:
Robbie Holmes was named a star in nine games this season, six of which were first-star nods. He is this year’s Three Star Award winner. Rounding out the stars were Donovan Buskey and Austin Pratt.
