WHL Announces 2014-15 Award Finalists

CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today the Eastern and Western Conference all-star teams and 2015 WHL Awards finalists at a media conference in Calgary. The winners of these awards along with the WHL Player of the Year will be announced at the 2015 WHL Awards in Calgary on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.

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

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender - Tristan Jarry (Delta, BC), Edmonton Oil Kings

Defenceman - Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings

Defenceman - Travis Sanheim (Elkhorn, MB), Calgary Hitmen

Forward - Trevor Cox (Surrey, BC), Medicine Hat Tigers

Forward - Tim McGauley (Wilcox, SK), Brandon Wheat Kings

Forward - Brayden Point (Calgary, AB), Moose Jaw Warriors

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender - Jordan Papirny (Edmonton, AB), Brandon Wheat Kings

Defenceman - Rinat Valiev (Nizhnekamsk, Russia), Kootenay ICE

Defenceman - Colby Williams (Regina, SK), Regina Pats

Forward - Cole Sanford (Vernon, BC), Medicine Hat Tigers

Forward - Sam Reinhart (Vancouver, BC), Kootenay ICE

Forward - Adam Tambellini (Edmonton, AB), Calgary Hitmen

WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender - Taran Kozun (Nipawin, SK), Seattle Thunderbirds

Defenceman - Shea Theodore (Aldergrove, BC), Seattle Thunderbirds

Defenceman - Madison Bowey (Winnipeg, MB), Kelowna Rockets

Forward - Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark), Portland Winterhawks *

Forward - Cole Ully (Calgary, AB), Kamloops Blazers

Forward - Rourke Chartier (Saskatoon, SK), Kelowna Rockets

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender - Eric Comrie (Edmonton, AB), Tri-City Americans

Defenceman - Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, BC), Victoria Royals

Defenceman - Josh Morrissey (Calgary, AB), Kelowna Rockets

Forward - Nic Petan (Delta, BC), Portland Winterhawks

Forward - Nick Merkley (Calgary, AB), Kelowna Rockets

Forward - Adam Helewka (Burnaby, BC), Spokane Chiefs

* indicates unanimous selection

The WHL announced 2015 WHL Awards finalists in the following categories:

WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference - Nolan Patrick (Winnipeg, MB), Brandon Wheat Kings

Western Conference - Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane, WA), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy

Eastern Conference - Tristan Jarry (Delta, BC), Edmonton Oil Kings

Western Conference - Taran Kozun (Nipawin, SK), Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference - Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings

Western Conference - Shea Theodore (Aldergrove, BC), Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy

Eastern Conference - Peter Quenneville (Edmonton, AB), Brandon Wheat Kings

Western Conference - Rourke Chartier (Saskatoon, SK), Kelowna Rockets

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

Eastern Conference - Nick McBride (Maple Ridge, BC), Prince Albert Raiders

Western Conference - Joe Gatenby (Kelowna, BC), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Top Scorer (Bob Clarke Trophy) / Plus-Minus Award

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark), Portland Winterhawks

59 GP - 63 G - 55 A - 118 PTS - +60 - 35 PIM

Nominees for the WHL's Player of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Top Official and Marketing/Public Relations Award will be announced at a later date.