WHL Player of the Year – Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Trey Fix-Wolansky – Edmonton Oil Kings
In his third season with the Oil Kings, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect was named captain and became a driving force behind his team’s ascension to claim their four Central Division title in team history. Fix-Wolansky’s 102 points were the second most in a single season by any Oil Kings player while his 65 assists set a franchise record for most in a single season. A hometown product, Fix-Wolansky signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets in March 2019. Overall, Fix-Wolansky’s career-high 102 points ranked him in a tie for fourth in WHL Scoring while he ranked second in assists and 15th in goals. Throughout the past three regular seasons, Fix-Wolansky missed just six of his team’s 212 regular season games.
Western Conference: Joachim Blichfeld – Portland Winterhawks
The import forward from Frederikshavn, Denmark, returned to the WHL for his overage season in 2018-19 and had a season to remember. A prospect of the San Jose Sharks, Blichfeld registered career highs in all major offensive categories, including goals (53), assists (61) and points (114). The 6-foot-1, 188-pound forward claimed the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s Top Scorer with 114 points and his 53 goals were tied for first in the WHL as well. Blichfeld is the second Danish-born Winterhawk to win the WHL scoring title, following in the footsteps of Oliver Bjorkstrand (118 points, 2014-15).
WHL Rookie of the Year – Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Brayden Tracey – Moose Jaw Warriors
The 17-year-old Calgary, Alta. product made a strong impact in his first full season with the Warriors. In 66 games, Tracey recorded 81 points (36G-45A), leading all rookies and finished tied for 13th in WHL scoring. Selected in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the 6-foot-0, 174-pound Tracey has quickly caught the attention of NHL Central Scouting, ranked 21st among North American skaters in their final rankings ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Western Conference: Lassi Thomson – Kelowna Rockets
Thomson, an 18-year-old product of Tempere, Finland, was a leading presence on the Rockets’ blue line throughout the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season. In 63 games, Thomson recorded 41 points (17G-24A), ranking first in rookie defensive scoring and tied for third in goals among all WHL defencemen. Selected in the first round, 53rd overall of the 2018 CHL Import Draft, Thomson has quickly risen on the radar of NHL Central Scouting, ranked 15th among North American skaters in advance of the 2019 NHL Draft.
WHL Goaltender of the Year – Del Wilson Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Ian Scott – Prince Albert Raiders
In his fourth season with the Raiders, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect enjoyed a season of career bests in 2018-19. His 38 wins, 1.83 goals-against average, .932 save percentage, and eight shutouts were all personal bests for the Calgary, Alta. product. The 6-foot-3, 183-pound goaltender finished first in the WHL for shutouts while placing second in wins, GAA, and save percentage.
Western Conference: Dustin Wolf – Everett Silvertips
Completing his second season with the Silvertips, Wolf set a new franchise record with 41 wins while also posting a 1.69 GAA, .936 save percentage, and seven shutouts for the division-winning Silvertips. The Tustin, Calif. product finished first among WHL goaltenders in wins, GAA, save percentage, while placing second in shutouts. A draft-eligible talent, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound Wolf has captured considerable attention ahead of the 2019 NHL Draft and is ranked 12th among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.
WHL Defenceman of the Year – Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Josh Brook – Moose Jaw Warriors
Brook backed up his responsibilities as captain with the Warriors with an incredible season on both sides of the puck. The Montreal Canadiens prospect finished tied for the scoring lead among WHL defencemen with 75 points (16G-59A) in 59 games while helping the Warriors remain competitive in a strong East Division. The 19-year-old product of Roblin, Man. was named to the Eastern Conference’s First All-Star Team for the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season.
Western Conference: Ty Smith – Spokane Chiefs
After the New Jersey Devils made Smith the highest WHL player selected at the 2018 NHL Draft, the Lloydminster, Alta. product put forth a strong effort in his third full season with the Chiefs. Smith amassed 69 points (7G-62A) in 57 games, nearly matching his career-best total from the 2017-18 WHL Regular Season in 12 fewer games. At the 2018 WHL Awards, Smith was the recipient of the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Award as the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year.
WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year – Brad Hornung Trophy
Eastern Conference: Justin Almeida – Moose Jaw Warriors
The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect put together a near-immaculate season with the Warriors. Almeida’s 111 points (33G-78A) ranked third in the league while his 14 penalty minutes were the fewest incurred of any player in the top-15 scorers from the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season. The Kitimat, B.C. product recorded a career-high 78 assists, leading all players throughout the regular season. The Penguins selected Almeida in the fifth round, 129th overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Western Conference: Cody Glass – Portland Winterhawks
The first-ever selection in the history of the Vegas Golden Knights, Glass put forth a gentlemanly approach to his on-ice play. In 38 games, the Winnipeg, Man. product recorded 69 points (15G-54A) while incurring just 18 penalty minutes. Glass’ respectful play has earned him second-straight nomination for the Brad Hornung Trophy. This season, Glass was also named to the Western Conference’s first all-star team.
WHL Scholastic Player of the Year – Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Jakob Brook – Prince Albert Raiders
The 17-year-old product of Roblin, Man., excelled in the classroom, maintaining an overall average of 92 percent in his Grade 11 year. Brook achieved stellar grades in English 20 (85 percent), Native Studies 20 (90 percent), Physical Science 20 (95 percent), and Physical Education (98 percent). Brook was recognized as the Raiders Scholastic Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season. In his first full season in the WHL, Brook skated in 61 games and enjoyed a strong start to his WHL career by registering 12 points (6G-6A).
Western Conference: Dustin Wolf – Everett Silvertips
The product of Tustin, Calif., put forth a strong season academically, maintaining a 100 percent average for the current academic year, as well as an overall average of 98.8 percent for his high school years. In Grade 12 courses, Wolf achieved perfect grades in English 12, Statistics, Economics, and American Government. In his second season in the WHL, Wolf enjoyed a career year, registering a record of 41-15-2-2 with a 1.69 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and seven shutouts in a career-high 61 appearances.
WHL Humanitarian of the Year – Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Will Warm – Edmonton Oil Kings
In his third WHL campaign, Will Warm dressed in just 33 regular season games as he dealt with a knee injury. With a burning desire to continue contributing as a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, Warm decided to make his impact off the ice while recovering from his knee injury, spending time giving back to countless others through an initiative that was eventually coined Will Warms the Community.
The biggest benefactor of Warm’s efforts has been the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). After visiting Ronald McDonald House as part of a team appearance in October, Warm developed an affinity for it and arranged to have six tickets donated to RMHC children and their families for each Oil Kings home game. Regardless of the outcome of the game, he hosted a post-game meet-and-greet with the families and provided autographed items as a token of his appreciation.
Approaching the holiday season, Warm requested the Oil Kings visit Ronald McDonald House as a part of full team hospital visits. He led the players and was excited to introduce his RMHC friends to his teammates. Just prior to Christmas, Warm was invited to hit the switch with Santa, illuminating Ronald McDonald House in lights. That same night, he played games and ate cookies with children at Ronald McDonald House, missing out on part of a team dinner. Additionally, RMHC hosts weekly craft nights for two hours every Thursday – Warm attended eight times.
At a team visit to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital prior to Christmas, Warm met a young boy named Carter who had spent a number of months in the hospital. After enduring three spinal surgeries, Carter was being discharged two weeks before Christmas. While the Oil Kings were on the road, Warm surprised Carter at his discharge party where they had treats and built Lego together. A few weeks later, Carter and his family attended an Oil Kings home game using Warm’s seats.
During another hospital visit, Warm met a young man named Peyton who has survived three brain surgeries and spent significant time at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Peyton introduced Warm to an initiative called Peyton’s Project, which builds chairs using broken hockey sticks and donates all proceeds to the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Warm immediately went about collecting broken sticks from the Oil Kings and hand delivered them to Peyton’s workshop. Since then, Peyton has celebrated one year of being cancer free and attended an Oil Kings game with Warm’s help.
Following the Oil Kings’ annual Teddy Bear Toss game, Warm spent a morning packaging bears for delivery to local families and on another occasion, he spent personal time with an international Oil Kings fan from Scotland who was smitten by mascot Louie the Lion. In the wake of hearing that a family member of an Oil Kings staff was involved in a life-threatening accident, Warm organized a team trip to Canadian Blood Services.
Warm’s generosity knows no bounds. After recovering from his knee injury, he continued delivering Will Warms the Community
Western Conference: Jared Dmytriw – Vancouver Giants
From the moment he arrived in Vancouver, Jared Dmytriw has been an integral contributor to the on- and off-ice success of the Giants.
The native of Craven, Sask., took it upon himself to lead the Giants in all aspects of their operation. After the unveiling of the “Be A Giant” initiative this season, Dmytriw was the first player to volunteer his time to visit schools throughout the Lower Mainland to encourage local youth to be Giants in their schools, homes, communities, and for their own personal health. His kindness, compassion, easy-going demeanour and his genuine desire to be a positive role model made him an ideal spokesperson for the Giants.
In November, Dmytriw took it upon himself to organize and create the Vancouver Giants Movember team. In total, the team raised $2,620 towards men’s health initiatives, with $1,560 coming from the fundraising efforts of Dmytriw.
In February, Dmytriw took the lead as the Giants visited Fleetwood Arena in Surrey, B.C., to cheer on an 11-year-old Giants fan named Amelia. Dmytriw sparked the creation of a number of signs the Giants brought along to cheer Amelia on with. Following an extended stay after a road game in Kamloops, Dmytriw and the Giants arrived back in the Lower Mainland a few hours before Amelia’s game and attended with great enthusiasm.
The impact on Amelia was incredible. Selectively mute, Amelia has been attending Giants games and encouraging her favourite players with signs for years. Her connection with the Giants has helped her to overcome many challenges, and having Dmytriw and his Giants teammates visit her own hockey practice meant the world to her.
There is no task too big for Dmytriw. He has shown during his time with the Giants that he is selfless and sincere. His leadership on the ice is matched by his passion for the community off the ice.
WHL Coach of the Year – Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Marc Habscheid – Prince Albert Raiders
In his 15th season as a WHL Head Coach, Habscheid guided the Prince Albert Raiders to a WHL-best record of 54-10-2-2, capturing the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season Champions for 2018-19. Throughout the campaign, the 56-year-old native of Swift Current, Sask., registered his 500th career WHL Regular Season coaching victory. Finishing the season with 509 career WHL Regular Season victories, Habscheid ranks eighth all-time among WHL coaches. Habscheid previously earned WHL Coach of the Year honours at the 2003 WHL Awards while behind the bench with the Kelowna Rockets.
Western Conference: Michael Dyck – Vancouver Giants
In his sixth season as WHL Head Coach, Dyck guided the Vancouver Giants to a 48-15-3-2 record, helping clinch their sixth B.C. Division title in team history, also placing them first in the Western Conference. The Giants steadily improved throughout the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season under Dyck’s coaching, recording a season-high eight-game winning streak in January 2019. The 50-year-old Dyck made the Giants a tough opponent on home ice as they sported the second-best home record in the WHL. Overall, the Giants’ 48 wins were the third most in a single regular season.
WHL Executive of the Year – Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference: Curtis Hunt – Prince Albert Raiders
In his fourth season as a WHL General Manager, Curtis Hunt built a Prince Albert Raiders squad that cruised to a WHL-best record of 54-10-2-2, capturing the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season Champions for 2018-19. Over the course of the campaign, the 52-year-old native of North Battleford, Sask., executed a number of key transactions to bolster his roster, including the acquisition of impact forwards Dante Hannoun and Noah Gregor. Prior to 2018-19, Hunt built the Raiders through trade and the WHL Bantam Draft, acquiring the likes of Brett Leason, Brayden Pachal, Max Martin and Sergei Sapego, as well as drafting impact players such as Jakob Brook, Ozzy Wiesblatt, Aliaksei Protas, and Kaiden Guhle.
Western Conference: Garry Davidson – Everett Silvertips
Recently completing his seven season as a WHL General Manager, Garry Davidson has established the Everett Silvertips organization as a pinnacle of annual success. The Silvertips roared to their third-straight U.S. Division title and seventh in team history with a 47-16-2-3 record, matching their second-most victories in a single season. The 67-year-old Virden, Man. product once again showed his shrewd ability to acquire talent, adding forward Zack Andrusiak to bolster the team’s run down the stretch and into the 2019 WHL Playoffs in their bid to make a repeat appearance in the Rogers #WHLChampionship Series. Davidson has built his team into a contender through the WHL Bantam Draft, selecting impact players such as Connor Dewar, Bryce Kindopp, Riley Sutter, Wyatte Wylie, Jake Christiansen.
WHL Business Award
Eastern Conference: Lethbridge Hurricanes
Enjoying extensive growth in all major business categories in 2018-19, the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club is the Eastern Conference recipient of the WHL Business Award. The implementation of a large 40-foot by 10-foot video board, affectionately dubbed “Megatron,” has helped to enhance a number of different game-night areas for the Hurricanes. Fan engagement, corporate sponsorship, promotions, 50/50 execution and other aspects of the Hurricanes game night have all seen tremendous boosts from the addition of “Megatron.”
In its third year, the Hurricanes Game Day Santa Fe program has succeeded in improving interest and awareness of the Hurricanes and the WHL in Lethbridge. Executed entirely on game days, the Hurricanes-branded vehicle tours Lethbridge with mascot “Cane” and the Hurricanes street team. Stopping at schools to play games and making other appearances at public events around Lethbridge, local children and families enjoy the opportunity to interact with “Cane” and the Hurricanes street team.
In 2018-19, the Hurricanes have helped to contribute $181,000 towards local fundraisers and charitable organizations, furthering strengthening the Club’s stance in the community.
Western Conference: Everett Silvertips
Enjoying notable growth in all major business categories in 2018-19, the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club is the Western Conference recipient of the WHL Business Award.
Strong communication and engagement has helped to spark further interest in the Silvertips and the WHL in the Everett area. With a robust data collection program, email has become an effective means of communication for the Silvertips to engage with fans and share news such as statistics, ticket promotions, and more.
The Club takes pride in being an innovator when it comes to game-night promotions and community involvement. Silvertips players visited 32 local schools to speak on anti-bullying, health and fitness, and the importance of staying in school. Players also made two trips to the Providence Regional Medical Centre – one to visit cancer patients and providers ahead of the Club’s “Pink the Rink Night,” and a second visit to deliver teddy bears to the Pavilion for Women & Children after the Silvertips successful teddy bear toss night.
In 2018-19, the Silvertips have helped to contribute nearly $130,000 towards local fundraisers and charitable organizations, including the Snohomish County Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the Medic One Foundation. The Silvertips’ “Pink the Rink Night” raised $94,000 to help fund free mammograms and cancer care for women in Snohomish County.
WHL Regular Season Champion – Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
Prince Albert Raiders
For only the second time in franchise history, the Prince Albert Raiders claimed the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season Champions for the 2018-19 season. Their record of 54-10-2-2 (112 points) represents the second-highest point totals in franchise history and the fourth time the Club has surpassed the 50-win plateau. The Raiders’ 54 wins also represented the most wins by a WHL team in a 68-game season. The Raiders were guided by talent at all positions with forwards Brett Leason, Noah Gregor, Dante Hannoun, Parker Kelly, defencemen Brayden Pachal, and goaltender Ian Scott.
WHL Top Scorer – Bob Clarke Trophy
Joachim Blichfeld – Portland Winterhawks
For the second time in five years, the Bob Clarke Trophy for the WHL’s Top Scorer belongs to a member of the Portland Winterhawks. The 20-year-old Blichfeld recorded a league-leading 53 goals and 114 points, becoming the first player in the WHL to reach the 50-goal and 100-point mark in the 2018-19 season. A product of Frederikshavn, Denmark, Blichfeld followed in the footsteps of Danish product Oliver Bjorkstrand, who won the award in the 2014-15 WHL Regular Season. Blichfeld was one of five WHL skaters to score record triple-digit points in 2018-19.