LAZAR DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The Western Hockey League announced today that Edmonton Oil Kings forward Curtis Lazar is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the week ending April 20, 2014. 

Lazar scored three goals and added one assist for four points along with a +4 rating over two games this past weekend, leading the Oil Kings to a pair of victories over the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2014 WHL Eastern Conference final.

On Friday, April 18, Lazar tallied a goal and an assist while earning 1st Star honors in an 8-3 victory over the visiting Tigers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.  On Sunday, April 20, Lazar scored twice, including the game-winner, while also being named the game’s 1st Star in a 3-1 triumph over the Tigers in Game 2 of the series.

Lazar, an 18-year-old from Vernon, B.C, is in his third season in the WHL with the Oil Kings.  The 6’0”, 196-lb center has appeared in 199 career WHL regular-season games for the Oil Kings, amassing 99 goals and 169 points.  The Oil Kings’ first pick, 2nd overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Lazar has also accumulated 24 goals and 46 points in 57 career post-season games.  Lazar was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.

The WHL has also nominated Tristan Jarry of the Edmonton Oil Kings for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award.  A product of Delta, B.C., Jarry appeared in two games over the past weekend, posting a 2-0 record while allowing just four goals on 64 shots for a 2.00 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage in that span as the Oil Kings opened up a 2-0 lead over the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL Eastern Conference final.  On Friday, April 18, Jarry made 28 saves on 31 shots as the Oil Kings downed the Tigers 8-3 in Game 1 of the series.  On Sunday, Jarry stopped 32 of 33 shots while earning 2nd Star honors in a 3-1 win over the Tigers in Game 2.  The Oil Kings’ third-round pick, 46th overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Jarry has posted a 70-23-3-1 record with 14 shutouts in 104 career regular-season games for the Oil Kings.  Jarry was chosen in the second round, 44th overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Denny’s WHL Player of the Week
Apr. 14 – Apr. 20: Curtis Lazar, Edmonton Oil Kings
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