WHL ANNOUNCES 2012-13 AWARD WINNERS

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League held its annual WHL Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 1st, in Calgary, AB, honoring the top performances from the 2012-13 WHL regular season.

Here are the 2012-13 WHL Award Winners:

WHL Player of the Year - Four Broncos Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Adam Lowry - Swift Current Broncos

Adam Lowry enjoyed an outstanding season for the Swift Current Broncos, appearing in all 72 games while scoring a team-leading 45 goals and 43 assists for 88 points to go with a +18 rating and 102 penalty minutes. Lowry's considerable contributions to the Broncos helped the Club make the WHL playoffs for the first time since the 2009-10 season. The Calgary, AB, product finished sixth among all WHL players in goals and finished 12th in WHL scoring with 88 points. In addition, Lowry finished tied for eighth among all WHL players with 14 power play goals and tied for second with six shorthanded goals. His eight game-winning goals also tied him for second among WHL players in that category. The Winnipeg Jets prospect displayed remarkable consistency throughout the 2012-13 WHL season, going more than two games without recording a point only three times all season while enjoying a season-best 21-game point streak and an eight-game goal streak. His efforts saw him named the Husky WHL Player of the Month for December. Lowry's importance to the Broncos during the 2012-13 season cannot be understated as he had a hand in nearly 48% of his team's entire offensive output.

RUNNER UP: Justin Feser - Tri-City Americans

WHL Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Seth Jones - Portland Winterhawks

A lot was expected from the Plano, TX, product in his first season in the WHL, considering he has been at the top of scouting lists for the last couple of years. Jones more than delivered on those expectations, posting 14 goals and 42 assists for 56 points in 61 games for the Winterhawks, helping the team to their most successful regular-season campaign in franchise history. The 6'4", 206-lb rearguard led all rookie defencemen and ranked fourth among all WHL blue liners in points and posted an outstanding +46 rating to rank seventh among all WHL players in that category. Having also led Team USA to Gold at the 2013 World Junior Championship, Jones established himself as a dominant player at both ends of the rink in his first WHL season. Jones was originally drafted by the Everett Silvertips in the first round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, but was acquired by the Winterhawks last May.

RUNNER UP: Leon Draisaitl - Prince Albert Raiders

WHL Goaltender of the Year - Del Wilson Trophy

WINNER: Patrik Bartosak - Red Deer Rebels

Bartosak was a heroic performer for the Red Deer Rebels during the 2012-13 regular season, helping the Rebels to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference after missing the playoff last year. The 19-year-old from Koprivnice, CZE, appeared in 55 games this season, posting a 33-14-5 record with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage to help the Rebels to the WHL's sixth-best defensive record. Bartosak ranked fourth among all WHL players in GAA and had the best save percentage of any netminder to appear in over 30 games. In addition to his five shutouts, Bartosak boasted a perfect 8-0 record in shootouts, allowing only two goals on 28 opposition shootout attempts. Bartosak, who is eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft, was named the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 25th.

RUNNER UP: Mac Carruth - Portland Winterhawks

WHL Defenseman of the Year - Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Brenden Kichton - Spokane Chiefs

Brenden Kichton of the Spokane Chiefs is the Western Conference finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy for the second straight year. The 20-year-old from Spruce Grove, AB, enjoyed another dominant season in Spokane, leading the Chiefs and leading all WHL defencemen in scoring with 85 points, including 22 goals. Kichton, the only defenceman to lead his team in scoring, ranked first among all WHL blue liners and tied for fifth among all WHL players with 63 assists, and had 19 more points than the second-highest scoring rearguard in the League. In addition, Kichton posted a solid +39 rating this season, leading the Chiefs in that department. The 6'0", 195-lb rearguard and New York Islanders prospect closes out his WHL career with 67 goals and a whopping 268 points in 333 career regular-season games.

RUNNER UP: Morgan Rielly - Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year - Brad Hornung Trophy

WINNER: Dylan Wruck - Edmonton Oil Kings

In his fourth and final season in the WHL, Wruck was again a force for the Oil Kings as they captured their second straight Central Division and Eastern Conference regular-season titles. The 20-year-old from Saskatoon, SK, finished second on the Oil Kings and tied for 15th among all WHL players in scoring with 85 points, including 63 assists, while drawing only 14 minutes in penalties all season. Wruck played in every situation, logging heavy minutes for the Oil Kings, but was whistled for just seven minor penalties all season. He played his final 30 games of the regular season without being penalized. The 5'9", 175-lb forward has played 259 career regular-season games for Edmonton, scoring 87 goals and 256 points while picking up just 89 penalty minutes.

RUNNER UP: Zach Franko - Kelowna Rockets

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year - Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Josh Morrissey - Prince Albert Raiders

17-year-old Josh Morrissey has already established himself as an elite-level player in the WHL and top prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft. Yet, Morrissey has been equally impressive in the classroom. The product of Calgary, AB, has excelled in his Grade 12 year at Carlton Comprehensive High School in Prince Albert, having completed five challenging 30-level classes and maintaining a 92.4% average while nearing completion on a sixth 30-level class. Morrissey's maturity and decision-making abilities make him an exemplary leader and role model for fellow students and team mates alike.

RUNNER UP: Rourke Chartier - Kelowna Rockets

WHL Humanitarian of the Year - Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Cody Sylvester - Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen captain Cody Sylvester was not only a leader on the ice, he was also a team ambassador in the community and devoted a large amount of his time and energy to giving back to the City of Calgary. The product of Vernon, B.C., regularly participated in community events and initiatives, and was always willing to donate his time and effort. Sylvester developed the highly successful 'Chance to Play' program that helped raise funds to support local minor hockey and give an opportunity to participate to kids who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to do so. The five-year member of the Hitmen designed unique T-shirts which were sold at Hitmen home games and other events which helped Sylvester in raising nearly $16,000 towards his 'Chance to Play' program. Sylvester's dedication to giving back to the Calgary community and his enthusiasm to participate in the Hitmen's many community and charitable endeavors makes him a deserving recipient of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy.

RUNNER UP: Mitch Topping - Tri-City Americans

WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy

CO-WINNERS: Brendan Leipsic & Nic Petan - Portland Winterhawks

For the first time since the 1987-88 season, two players finished tied for the WHL scoring title with linemates Brendan Leipsic and Nicholas Petan of the Portland Winterhawks each finishing the season with 120 points. Leipsic, an 18-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, posted 49 goals and 71 assists for 120 points in just 68 games for the Winterhawks this season. His 49 goals led the WHL in that category. Petan, a 17-year-old from Delta, B.C., tallied 46 goals and a WHL-leading 74 assists for the Winterhawks in his second season in the WHL. Eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft, Petan tied for second in the WHL with 18 power play goals while also adding seven game-winning goals. Leipsic and Petan were two of three Winterhawks to finish as the top three scorers in the WHL. Their linemate, St. Louis Blues prospect Ty Rattie, ranks third in WHL scoring with 110 points. It's been 25 years since the WHL has seen a tie for the League scoring title, and only the second time in League history. Theoren Fleury of the Moose Jaw Warriors and Joe Sakic of the Swift Current Broncos shared the WHL scoring title in 1987-88 with 160 points apiece.