Blazers’ Stankoven named WHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Logan Stankoven, forward of the Kamloops Blazers, has been named the WHL Western Conference Rookie of the Year and nominee for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year) presented by Wawanesa Insurance.

Chosen fifth overall at the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, Stankoven was a leading member for his hometown Blazers during the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season as they charged to the top of the B.C. Division. In 59 games, Stankoven posted 48 points (29G-19A), including seven power-play goals and five game-winning goals to tie for third on the team in goals and rank sixth in team scoring.

Among WHL rookies, Stankoven was tied for first in goals and ranked sixth in overall scoring. Stankoven also led all Western Conference rookies in goals. His five game-winning goals were tied for second among WHL rookies.

His season was highlighted by 12 multi-point performances, including three multi-goal games. On February 15, 2020, Stankoven recorded four goals in a home game against the Victoria Royals.

Stankoven collected 14 points (11G-3A) on a seven-game point streak during February. He scored a goal during each one of those games to also tie for the second-longest goal-scoring streak in the WHL this season.

For his WHL career, the 5-foot-7, 165-pound 17-year-old Stankoven has recorded 49 points (29G-20A) in 66 WHL regular season games. He’s also appeared in six WHL playoff games, recording two points (1G-1A).

WHL Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Year are voted upon annually by WHL General Managers and Head Coaches. The winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year will be announced on Friday, May 15.

The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the player whose performance in their first season is deemed to be the most outstanding among all rookies.

A former owner of the Saskatoon Blades, Jim Piggott played a direct role in the formation of the Western Canadian Hockey League, now known as the WHL. Along with Del Wilson, Piggott played a critical role in the unification of all three Major Junior leagues across Canada into what is now known as the Canadian Hockey League.

Winners of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy / WHL Rookie of the Year Award (since 2000):
2018-19: Brayden Tracey, Moose Jaw Warriors
2017-18: Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes
2016-17: Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos
2015-16: Matthew Phillips, Victoria Royals
2014-15: Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings
2013-14: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
2012-13: Seth Jones, Portland Winterhawks
2011-12: Sam Reinhart, Kootenay ICE
2010-11: Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels
2009-10: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer Rebels
2008-09: Brett Connolly, Prince George Cougars
2007-08: Brayden Schenn, Brandon Wheat Kings
2006-07: Kyle Beach, Everett Silvertips
2005-06: Peter Mueller, Everett Silvertips
2004-05: Tyler Plante, Brandon Wheat Kings
2003-04: Gilbert Brule, Vancouver Giants
2002-03: Matt Ellison, Red Deer Rebels
2001-02: Braydon Coburn, Portland Winterhawks
2000-01: Scottie Upshall, Kamloops Blazers
1999-00: Dan Blackburn, Kootenay ICE

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.