CHL Player of the Week - Connor Rankin

Toronto, ON - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that forward Connor Rankin of the Calgary Hitmen is the CHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 7 after recording nine points in three games scoring six goals and three assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-6.

Rankin scored back-to-back hat-tricks helping the Hitmen win three straight games last week holding onto second place in the WHL's Central Division with 37 points. Last Tuesday night Rankin had the best offensive game of his career with a six-point performance scoring three goals including the game-winner plus three assists as second star of a 9-5 win over the Red Deer Rebels. On Friday night, Rankin netted his second straight hat-trick again scoring the game-winner while earning first star honours in a 6-2 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings. On Sunday, Rankin was held without a point but the Hitmen prevailed with an 8-3 win over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors in their annual Teddy Bear Toss game collecting 25,214 stuffed animals from the 17,543 Calgary fans in attendance.

Rankin, a 20-year-old from North Vancouver, BC, is playing in his fifth WHL season and second with the Hitmen after beginning his career as a member of the Tri-City Americans. So far this season Rankin has averaged a point-per-game with 31 points in 31 games played including 14 goals and 17 assists.

Also considered for the award this week was Arizona Coyotes prospect Max Domi of the London Knights who scored five goals and three assists for eight points in three games, and Joey Ratelle of the Drummondville Voltigeurs who scored four goals and two assists for six points in two games.