Rimmer, Shinnimin, Hiller Highlight WHL West Awards & All Stars

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today the 2011-12 WHL Conference First and Second All-Star Teams and the Conference Finalists for the 2012 WHL Awards. The WHL Player of the Year finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 18^th, 2012.  The winners of these awards along with the WHL Player of the Year will be announced at the 2012 WHL Awards Luncheon in Calgary, Alberta on Wednesday, May 2^nd, 2012.

The WHL announced the Finalists in the following categories.

WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Sam Reinhart (Vancouver, BC), Kootenay Ice
Western Conference – Tim Bozon (Cureglia, SUI), Kamloops Blazers

WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Eastern Conference – Tyler Bunz (St. Albert, AB), Medicine Hat Tigers
Western Conference – Ty Rimmer (Edmonton, AB), Tri-City Americans

WHL Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Alex Petrovic (Edmonton, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Western Conference – Brenden Kichton (Spruce Grove, AB), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy  
Eastern Conference – Mark Stone (Winnipeg, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference – Ryan Murray (White City, SK), Everett Silvertips

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Jimmy Bubnick (Saskatoon, SK), Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference – Reid Gow (Killarney, MB), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference –  Pat Conacher, Regina Pats
Western Conference – Jim Hiller, Tri-City Americans

WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Bob Green, Edmonton Oil Kings
Western Conference – Craig Bonner, Kamloops Blazers

WHL Humanitarian of the Year, Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference – Taylor Vause (Calgary, AB), Swift Current Broncos
Western Conference – Brendan Gallagher (Delta, BC), Vancouver Giants

WHL Marketing / Business Award
Eastern Conference – Moose Jaw Warriors
Western Conference – Spokane Chiefs

WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy
Edmonton Oil Kings:   GP – 72          W – 50        L – 15      OTL – 3      SL – 4          Pts – 107

WHL Top Scorer – Bob Clarke Trophy
Brendan Shinnimin – (Winnipeg, MB) Tri-City Americans
GP – 69                 G – 58                   A – 76                    Pts – 134                              PIM - 82

The WHL Eastern and Western Conference All-Star Teams are as follows:

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Tyler Bunz (St. Albert, AB), Medicine Hat Tigers
Defenceman – Alex Petrovic (Edmonton, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Defenceman – Ryan Pulock (Dauphin, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward – Emerson Etem (Long Beach, CA), Medicine Hat Tigers*
Forward – Mark Stone (Winnipeg, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings*
Forward – Jordan Weal (North Vancouver, BC), Regina Pats

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Nathan Lieuwen (Abottsford, BC), Kootenay Ice
Defenceman – Mark Pysyk (Sherwood Park, AB), Edmonton Oil Kings
Defenceman – Brandon Davidson (Taber, AB), Regina Pats
Forward – Michael St. Croix (Winnipeg, MB), Edmonton Oil Kings
Forward – Max Reinhart (Vancouver, BC), Kootenay Ice
Forward – Michael Ferland (Brandon, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings

WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Ty Rimmer (Edmonton, AB), Tri-City Americans
Defenceman – Brenden Kichton (Spruce Grove, AB), Spokane Chiefs
Defenceman – Joseph Morrow (Sherwood Park, AB), Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Ty Rattie (Airdrie, AB), Portland Winterhawks *
Forward – Brendan Shinnimin (Winnipeg, MB), Tri-City Americans *
Forward – Brendan Gallagher (Delta, BC), Vancouver Giants

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Cole Cheveldave (Calgary, AB), Kamloops Blazers
Defenceman – Ryan Murray (White City, SK), Everett Silvertips
Defenceman – Austin Madaisky (Surrey, BC), Kamloops Blazers
Forward – Sven Bartschi (Langenthal, SUI), Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Adam Hughesman (Winnipeg, MB), Tri-City Americans
Forward – Patrick Holland (Lethbridge, AB), Tri-City Americans
*   indicates unanimous selection