Gordie Ballhorn captures Canada West men’s hockey championship with University of Saskatchewan Huskies
Former Rockets defenceman and assistant captain Gordie Ballhorn helped the University of Saskatchewan Huskies capture the Dr. W.G. Hardy Trophy as champions of Canada West men’s hockey Saturday.
The Huskies won Saturday’s second game of the best-of-three series by a 3-1 score against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to earn a series sweep. WHL Alumni Levi Cable scored twice to lead his team to their first men’s hockey title in Canada West play since 2016. Both programs will now advance to the 2020 Cavendish Farms U SPORTS University Cup in Halifax, N.S., which will be held from March 12 to 15.
Ballhorn signed with Kelowna as an undrafted prospect, the defenceman was a member of the Rockets 2015 Championship team.
He suited up in 175 WHL regular-season games, all for the Rockets, recording 11 goals and 49 assists for 60 points with 181 penalty minutes and a career plus-71 rating.
The 22-year-old had 19 points (4G, 15A) and 41 points in 24 games with the Huskies this season. He picked up an assist in four playoff games.
Ballhorn was recently named to Canada West’s Second All-Star Team.
Solely funded by WHL member Clubs and administered by the WHL Office, the WHL Scholarship provides WHL players with access to a post-secondary education to further their academic commitments. Including the University of Saskatchewan and University of British Columbia, WHL Scholarship recipients are enrolled as full-time students at 76 different post-secondary institutions throughout North America. Each year, WHL Alumni accessing their WHL Scholarship play a key role in hoisting the Dr. W.G. Hardy Trophy for their respective post-secondary institution while also serving as leaders in the classroom.
Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed, full-year WHL Scholarship including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully-guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify. The WHL graduate can apply the funding to any post-secondary or career-enhancing program of his choice, including trades schools or professional career training programs.
Fully funded by WHL member Clubs, all current WHL players are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses. This season, over 140 current players are taking post-secondary courses while playing in the WHL. The financial assistance received for post-secondary studies while playing does not impact on the WHL Scholarship benefits a WHL player is entitled to upon graduating from the League. The WHL and Athabasca University have partnered to offer, through an online distance education platform, fully-accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL.
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
NAME / POSITION / HOMETOWN / LAST WHL TEAM
Sam Ruopp / D / Zehner, Sask. / Prince George Cougars
Gordie Ballhorn / D / Wetaskiwin, Alta. / Kelowna Rockets
Colby Harmsworth / D / Saskatoon, Sask. / Calgary Hitmen
Jeff Faith / D / Wilcox, Sask. / Kamloops Blazers
Shane Collins / D / Rosetown, Sask. / Prince George Cougars
Tanner Lishchynsky / D / Saskatoon, Sask. / Kootenay Ice
Jordan Tkatch / F / Prud’homme, Sask. / Prince Albert Raiders
Levi Cable / F / Hudson Bay, Sask. / Kootenay ICE
Collin Shirley / F / Saskatoon, Sask. / Kamloops Blazers
Carter Folk / F / Regina, Sask. / Victoria Royals
Logan McVeigh / F / Kenaston, Sask. / Kamloops Blazers
Jared Dmytriw / F / Craven, Sask. / Vancouver Giants
Carson Stadnyk / F / Saskatoon, Sask. / Everett Silvertips
Donovan Neuls / F / Grenfell, Sask. / Seattle Thunderbirds
Kohl Bauml / C / Saskatoon, Sask. / Everett Silvertips
Andrew Johnson / F / Saskatoon, Sask. / Swift Current Broncos
Wyatt Johnson / C / Saskatoon, Sask. / Spokane Chiefs
Evan Fiala / D / Clavet, Sask. / Saskatoon Blades
Declan Hobbs / G / Saskatoon, Sask. / Spokane Chiefs
Taran Kozun / G / Nipawin, Sask. / Seattle Thunderbirds
Travis Child / G / Killam, Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings
