WHL Announces 2013-14 Award Winners

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League held its annual WHL Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 30th, in Calgary, AB, honoring the top performances from the 2013-14 WHL regular season.

Here are the 2013-14 WHL Award Winners:

WHL Player of the Year - Four Broncos Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Sam Reinhart - Kootenay Ice

The Ice's captain, Reinhart scored 36 goals and 69 assists for 105 points along with a +24 rating in 60 games. Reinhart's 105 points tied him for fourth in WHL scoring while his 69 assists placed him second among all WHL players and established a new Kootenay Ice record for assists in a single season. In addition, Reinhart led the Ice with six game-winning goals and two shorthanded goals. Reinhart's consistency during the 2013-14 regular season was remarkable as he was held off the score sheet just nine times, was only held without a point in back-to-back games once, and enjoyed a WHL-best 22-game point streak. Reinhart's importance to Kootenay's success this season is evident in the fact that he factored in on 45% of his team's entire offensive output, and that the Ice lost all nine games in which he dressed but failed to register a point.

RUNNER UP: Mitch Holmberg - Spokane Chiefs

WHL Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Nick Merkley - Kelowna Rockets

A product of Calgary, AB, Merkley made a big impact in his first seasons with the Rockets. The 16-year-old center scored 25 goals and 33 assists for 58 points in 66 games, finishing tied for fifth on the Rockets and third among all WHL rookies in scoring. His 25 goals and 58 points led all 16-year-old players while his +24 rating placed him sixth among first-year players. Selected by the Rockets in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Merkley also scored four game-winning goals during the 2013-14 season, tying him for first among rookies. Merkley is eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.

RUNNER UP: Nikita Scherbak - Saskatoon Blades

WHL Goaltender of the Year - Del Wilson Trophy

WINNER: Jordon Cooke - Kelowna Rockets

Cooke enjoyed an outstanding season for the WHL's top team this year, posting a 39-7-0-4 record with four shutouts in 51 appearances. The 20-year-old from Leduc, AB, finished second among WHL netminders with a 2.28 goals-against average, fourth with a .922 save percentage, and second with 39 victories while helping the Rockets finish in first place in the overall WHL standings. Cooke's consistent season saw him lose back-to-back starts on just two occasions while putting together a string of 13 straight victories from November 22 to January 4. Selected by Kelowna in the fourth round, 79th overall, in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Cooke was named Vaughn WHL Goalie of the Month for September/October. Cooke is a free agent.

RUNNER UP: Tristan Jarry - Edmonton Oil Kings

WHL Defenseman of the Year - Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Derrick Pouliot - Portland Winterhawks

Weyburn, SK, native Derrick Pouliot enjoyed another excellent season for the Winterhawks, helping them to their second straight U.S. Division title. The 19-year-old scored 17 goals and added 53 assists for 70 points in 58 games, putting him sixth on the Winterhawks and third among all WHL defencemen in scoring. Pouliot's 53 assists placed him third among WHL defencemen while his +40 rating tied him for 13th among all WHL players. The first overall pick from the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, Pouliot earned a spot on the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team this season. Pouliot was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.

RUNNER UP: Josh Morrissey - Prince Albert Raiders

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year - Brad Hornung Trophy

WINNER: Sam Reinhart - Kootenay Ice

A product of Vancouver, B.C., Reinhart was a star on the ice for the Kootenay Ice this season, leading the team and finishing tied for fourth in WHL scoring with 105 points, including 36 goals, in 60 games while helping the team to a WHL-record 15th consecutive season with a record of .500 or better. As a key contributor in all situations for the Ice, Reinhart logged plenty of minutes. Yet, the 18-year-old drew just 11 minutes in penalties on three minor infractions and one major infraction. A highly skilled player, Reinhart has earned the respect of his teammates and opponents not only for his talent but for his level of sportsmanship. Selected in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Reinhart is considered one of the top prospects for the 2014 NHL Draft.

RUNNER UP: Mitch Holmberg - Spokane Chiefs

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

WINNER: Nelson Nogier - Saskatoon Blades

17-year-old Saskatoon Blades defenceman Nelson Nogier may have had his 2013-14 season cut short due to injury, but that didn't slow him down when it came to academic success. The Saskatoon, SK, product completed his first semester of Grade 12 with a remarkable 96% average while taking four core courses after having finished his Grade 11 year with a 96.6% average, including a perfect 100% in Math Foundations 20. Expected to graduate with Great Distinction, Nogier has already completed the application process for the University of Saskatchewan next year. The Blades' fourth-round pick, 71st overall, in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Nogier also performed well on the ice, netting a goal and six points in 37 games this season. Nogier is eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.

RUNNER UP: Dominic Turgeon - Portland Winterhawks

WHL Humanitarian of the Year - Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy

WINNER: Sam Fioretti - Moose Jaw Warriors

In his fourth and final season in the WHL, Sam Fioretti made a big impact both on the ice and in the community for the Moose Jaw Warriors. The 20-year-old from Calgary, AB, and captain of the Warriors made it a goal to help educate Moose Jaw & Area students about bullying and to educate them about the importance of physical activity. Fioretti was a driving force behind the Warriors' partnership with the Moose Jaw Police Service that saw him and others visit schools to speak out against bullying. He also played a big role in the development of the 'Warriors Workouts' program in which he and other members of the Club visit schools to spread a positive message about maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy eating. A strong advocate for education, Fioretti was also a key participant in the Club's CIBC Read to Succeed program.

RUNNER UP: Mitch Topping - Tri-City Americans

WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy

WINNER: Mitch Holmberg - Spokane Chiefs

A 20-year-old from Sherwood Park, AB, Holmberg scored 62 goals and 56 assists for 118 points in 72 games during the 2013-14 WHL regular season, becoming the first member of the Spokane Chiefs to lead the League in scoring since Ray Whitney in 1990-91. He led all WHL players in goals with 62, power play goals with 23, and finished tied for second with six shorthanded goals. He also shared the League lead with 10 game-winning goals this season. Having opened the 2013-14 season with a 17-game point streak, Holmberg only twice went more than two games without registering a point this season. He recorded 37 multiple-point games and 19 multiple-goal games, including six hat tricks. Drafted by Spokane in the first round, 21st overall, in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft, Holmberg has played five seasons for the Spokane Chiefs, amassing a franchise-record 147 goals while adding 149 assists for 296 points in 314 career games.