WITALA NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE MONTH
The Prince George Cougars are pleased to announce that 1995-forward Chase Witala (Prince George, B.C.) has been named WHL Player of the Month for December.
In 13 December games, Witala scored 14 goals and added nine assists for 23 points. Early in December Witala recorded back-to-back hat-tricks against the Vancouver Giants (December 6th) and the Kootenay Ice (December 8th) becoming just the second Prince George Cougar player to accomplish that feat since Blake Robson did so in 2002. His month also included three power play goals, two insurance goals and one shorthanded goal. Witala is currently riding a six game point streak and in that span has scored four goals and eight assists.
“His consistent play was a big reason why we had the month that we did in December,” said Prince George Cougars Head Coach, Mark Holick. “We are proud of any player’s accomplishments that reflect the successes of our team.”
Originally drafted by the Cougars in the fifth round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Chase Witala has dressed in 270 career WHL regular season games, all of which have been with Prince George. During that span, Witala has registered 104 goals and 98 assists for 202 career points along with 154 penalty minutes. Last season Witala led all Cougars with 38 goals and finished the season with 69 points in 68 games. Last season he was awarded the Dorothy Johnson Memorial Award which is given annually to the Prince George Cougars ‘Fan Favorite.’
His 104 career goals put him second all-time among Prince George Cougars players. He only needs eight more goals to surpass Eric Hunter for the all-time mark. He’s also only 35 points shy of surpassing Troy Bourke (236 points) for the all-time franchise scoring lead.
This honor marks the first time that Witala has received a WHL award and is the first Cougar since Todd Fiddler (January – 2014) to receive a WHL monthly honor. He also joins Ty Edmonds (CHL Goaltender of the Week – December, 2015) and Jesse Gabrielle (WHL Player of the Week – October, 2015) who have received league accolades this season.
Witala and the Cougars return to action on Wednesday night in Kamloops and are next at home this weekend on Friday January 8th and Saturday, January 9th against the Victoria Royals.
