SANFORD DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Western Hockey League announced today that Medicine Hat Tigers’ forward Cole Sanford is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 13, 2014.
Sanford recorded four goals and seven points over three games in the past week as the Tigers continued their WHL Eastern Conference second-round series versus the Kootenay Ice.
On Thursday, April 10, Sanford recorded an assist in a 7-4 loss to the Ice in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series in Cranbrook, B.C. On Saturday, April 12, with the Tigers facing elimination, Sanford stepped up to score four goals and two assists for six points while being named the game’s 1st Star in a 9-2 win over the visiting Ice in Game 5 of the series. Sanford was held without a point in a 4-1 road loss to the Ice in Game 3 on Wednesday, April 9.
Sanford, an 18-year-old from Vernon, B.C., is in his second season in the Western Hockey League with the Tigers, and finished third on the team in scoring with 33 goals and 73 points along with a +43 rating during the 2013-14 regular season. A sixth-round pick, 117th overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Sanford has amassed 35 goals and 84 points in 125 career regular-season contests. He is eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.
The WHL has also nominated Brendan Burke of the Portland Winterhawks for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. A native of Scottsdale, AZ, Burke posted a 2-1 record over three games in the past week, allowing six goals on 89 shots for a 2.02 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage while helping the Winterhawks eliminate the Victoria Royals in the second round of the WHL playoffs. On Monday, April 7, Burke stopped 25 of 27 shots he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Royals in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series in Victoria, B.C. On Tuesday, April 8, Burke made 27 saves on 30 shots as the visiting Winterhawks edged the Royals 4-3 in Game 4 of the series. On Thursday, April 10, Burke turned in a 31-save effort while being named the game’s 1st Star in a 5-1 win over the Royals in Portland, clinching the Winterhawks a 4-1 best-of-seven series victory. Burke, who turned 19 in March, is in his third season in the WHL with the Winterhawks. Selected by Portland in the 3rd round, 49th overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Burke has appeared in 99 career regular-season games, posting a 65-17-4-3 record with eight shutouts. He was chosen by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 6th round, 163rd overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Denny’s WHL Player of the Week
Apr. 7 – Apr. 13: Cole Sanford, Medicine Hat Tigers
Mar. 31 – Apr. 6: Damon Severson, Kelowna Rockets
Mar. 24 – Mar. 30: Jaedon Descheneau, Kootenay Ice
Mar. 17 – Mar. 23: Ryan Pulock, Brandon Wheat Kings
Mar. 10 – Mar. 16: Collin Valcourt, Prince Albert Raiders
Mar. 3 – Mar. 9: Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert Raiders
Feb. 24 – Mar. 2: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Morgan Klimchuk, Regina Pats
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Taylor Leier, Portland Winterhawks
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Myles Bell, Kelowna Rockets
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Brendan Leipsic, Portland Winterhawks
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Todd Fiddler, Prince George Cougars
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Myles Bell, Kelowna Rockets
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Mike Aviani, Spokane Chiefs
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Chandler Stephenson, Regina Pats
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Leon Draisaitl, Prince Albert Raiders
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Josh Winquist, Everett Silvertips
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Ryan Pulock, Brandon Wheat Kings
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Mitch Holmberg, Spokane Chiefs
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jayce Hawryluk, Brandon Wheat Kings
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Josh Winquist, Everett Silvertips
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Nicolas Petan, Portland Winterhawks
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Matt Pufahl, Everett Silvertips
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
Sept. 23 – Sept. 29: Mitch Holmberg, Spokane Chiefs
Sept. 19 – Sept. 22: Julius Honka, Swift Current Broncos
