RUSSELL, GAGNON FINALISTS FOR PLAYER OF YEAR
Calgary – The Western Hockey League today announced the WHL Eastern and Western Conference finalists for the 2006-07 WHL Player of the Year. The two finalists for WHL Player of the Year were determined through voting by General Managers, coaches, broadcast and media representatives of all WHL Member Clubs.
In the WHL’s Eastern Conference, which includes the East and Central Divisions, the Player of the Year Nominee is defenseman Kris Russell of the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Russell enjoyed a tremendous 2006-07 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. The product of
Russell, the Tigers’ captain, led all WHL defensemen in goals while ranking second in points, and was the only defenseman in the League to lead his team in scoring. In addition, Russell ranked third in the WHL with 22 power play goals, and also scored five game-winners. As a defenseman, Russell was held off the score sheet for two or more consecutive games on just two occasions this season.
The 5′ 10″, 177-pound rearguard was recently selected to the WHL Eastern Conference First All Star team for the second year in a row, and is the Eastern Conference nominee for WHL Defenseman of the Year – an award he won last season.
Russell, 19, was the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 3rd round selection at the 2005 NHL Draft.
In the WHL’s Western Conference, which includes the B.C. and U.S. Divisions, the Player of the Year Nominee is forward Aaron Gagnon of the
Gagnon, 20, had an outstanding 2006-07 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds. The native of Armstrong, B.C., in his fifth WHL season with the Thunderbirds, scored 42 goals and 38 assists for 80 points in only 59 games this season, leading the T-Birds to a 37-21-3-11 record and a third-place finish in the U.S. Division.
The 5′ 11″, 189-pound center finished second in the WHL in goals, and tied for 9th in the WHL with a +27 plus/minus rating. In addition, Gagnon led the Thunderbirds in goals, power play goals with 15, game-winning goals with six, and tied for second on the team in assists.
Gagnon’s contributions to the Thunderbirds cannot be overstated.
Gagnon, who recently signed a professional contract with the Dallas Stars, was selected to the WHL Western Conference First All Star Team, and is the Western Conference nominee for the WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year award.
The WHL also announced today the WHL Eastern and Western Conference finalists for the WHL Humanitarian of the Year award, the WHL Scholastic Players of the Year award, and the
The WHL’s Eastern Conference finalist for the WHL Humanitarian of the Year award is Kyle Moir of the Swift Current Broncos. The WHL’s Western Conference finalist for the award is Ryan Bender of the Kamloops Blazers.
The WHL’s Eastern Conference finalist for the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year is Keith Aulie of the Brandon Wheat Kings. The WHL’s Western Conference finalist for the award is Damir Alic of the Everett Silvertips.
The WHL’s Eastern Conference finalist for the
The recipients of all WHL individual awards will be announced at the WHL 2007 Awards Luncheon, which will be held in
2006-2007 WHL INDIVIDUAL AWARD FINALISTS
WHL Player of the Year, Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Kris Russell (
Western Conference – Aaron Gagnon (Armstrong, B.C.),
WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Matt Robertson (Prince Albert, SK), Prince Albert Raiders
Western Conference – Kyle Beach (Kelowna, B.C.), Everett Silvertips
WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Eastern Conference – Matt Keetley (Medicine Hat, AB), Medicine Hat Tigers
Western Conference – Carey Price (Williams Lake, B.C.), Tri-City Americans
WHL Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Kris Russell (Caroline, AB), Medicine Hat Tigers
Western Conference – Cody Franson (Sicamous, B.C.), Vancouver Giants
WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy
Eastern Conference – Keith Aulie (Rouleau, SK), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Damir Alic (Kent, WA) Everett Silvertips
WHL Humanitarian Player of the Year, Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Kyle Moir (Calgary, AB), Swift Current Broncos
Western Conference – Ryan Bender (Regina, SK), Kamloops Blazers
WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy
Eastern Conference – Mark Derlago (Brandon, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Aaron Gagnon (Armstrong, B.C.), Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Cory Clouston (Viking, AB), Kootenay Ice
Western Conference – Kevin Constantine (International Falls, MN), Everett Silvertips
WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Will Desjardins (Climax, SK),
Western Conference – Bob Tory (
Eastern Conference – Bruce Vance, Prince Albert Raiders
Western Conference –
WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
WHL Top Scorer – Bob Clarke Trophy
Zach Hamill (
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Anyone wanting to purchase tickets to this year’s Awards Luncheon can contact Dallas Kitt at the WHL Office (403-693-3030)
