nivek_wahs
05-02-2007, 03:58 AM
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/story.html?id=69a791fa-5cbe-46db-814e-22d3d2d4e9b7
Tigers' hardware haul expected
Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
All the world's a stage -- and several junior hockey stars and mentors will take their turn on one today at the Roundup Centre.
It's that time of year again for the Western Hockey League to honour its outstanding citizens before the puck drops on the league's championship series between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Vancouver Giants.
The Tigers, in fact, are expected to carry off some of the silverware during today's 2007 WHL awards luncheon, as Kris Russell is not only nominated for top defenceman again -- an award he won last year -- but also top player.
The slick, five-foot-11, 170-pounder is up against Cody Franson of Vancouver for the defensive award and Seattle's Aaron Gagnon for top player.
Gagnon, meanwhile, goes up against Mark Derlago of the Brandon Wheat Kings for most sportsmanlike player.
The Tigers' Matt Keetley, a 2005 draft choice of the Calgary Flames, is up against Carey Price of Tri-City for top goaltender.
Among the other awards: are top rookie, between Matt Robertson of Prince Albert Raiders and Kyle Beach of Everett Silvertips; coach of the year, between Cory Clouston of Kootenay Ice and Kevin Constantine of Everett; and top executive, between Willie Desjardins of Medicine Hat and Bob Tory of Tri-City.
Today's awards luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.
Shaw TV, meanwhile, has announced it will broadcast the entire WHL championship series, which opens Friday and Saturday at the 'Hat, with both games starting at 7:30 p.m.
The best-of-seven final will assume a 2-3-2 format, moving to Vancouver for Games 3, 4 and 5, on May 8, 9 and 11, if necessary. The final two games, again if necessary, would be played back at Medicine Hat on May 13 and 14.
With Western Conference-champion Vancouver playing host to the Memorial Cup later this month, Medicine Hat has already received an automatic berth into the Canadian major junior championship tournament as kings of the WHL's Eastern Conference.
Hawks Get No. 1 Bantam
The Portland Winter Hawks will have first choice when the WHL's bantam draft is held Thursday at the Roundup Centre.
The Calgary Hitmen will pick 14th overall in the league's annual lottery of 14- and 15-year-olds from Western Canada and the western half of the United States.
"It's a quality draft with a lot of very good players," noted Hitmen head scout Brad Whelan. "We're not sure what direction we're going to go with our first-round pick, but we will take the best player available."
The Hitmen also hold the 36th, 58th, 80th, 102nd and 124th overall picks.
© The Calgary Herald 2007
Tigers' hardware haul expected
Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, May 02, 2007
All the world's a stage -- and several junior hockey stars and mentors will take their turn on one today at the Roundup Centre.
It's that time of year again for the Western Hockey League to honour its outstanding citizens before the puck drops on the league's championship series between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Vancouver Giants.
The Tigers, in fact, are expected to carry off some of the silverware during today's 2007 WHL awards luncheon, as Kris Russell is not only nominated for top defenceman again -- an award he won last year -- but also top player.
The slick, five-foot-11, 170-pounder is up against Cody Franson of Vancouver for the defensive award and Seattle's Aaron Gagnon for top player.
Gagnon, meanwhile, goes up against Mark Derlago of the Brandon Wheat Kings for most sportsmanlike player.
The Tigers' Matt Keetley, a 2005 draft choice of the Calgary Flames, is up against Carey Price of Tri-City for top goaltender.
Among the other awards: are top rookie, between Matt Robertson of Prince Albert Raiders and Kyle Beach of Everett Silvertips; coach of the year, between Cory Clouston of Kootenay Ice and Kevin Constantine of Everett; and top executive, between Willie Desjardins of Medicine Hat and Bob Tory of Tri-City.
Today's awards luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.
Shaw TV, meanwhile, has announced it will broadcast the entire WHL championship series, which opens Friday and Saturday at the 'Hat, with both games starting at 7:30 p.m.
The best-of-seven final will assume a 2-3-2 format, moving to Vancouver for Games 3, 4 and 5, on May 8, 9 and 11, if necessary. The final two games, again if necessary, would be played back at Medicine Hat on May 13 and 14.
With Western Conference-champion Vancouver playing host to the Memorial Cup later this month, Medicine Hat has already received an automatic berth into the Canadian major junior championship tournament as kings of the WHL's Eastern Conference.
Hawks Get No. 1 Bantam
The Portland Winter Hawks will have first choice when the WHL's bantam draft is held Thursday at the Roundup Centre.
The Calgary Hitmen will pick 14th overall in the league's annual lottery of 14- and 15-year-olds from Western Canada and the western half of the United States.
"It's a quality draft with a lot of very good players," noted Hitmen head scout Brad Whelan. "We're not sure what direction we're going to go with our first-round pick, but we will take the best player available."
The Hitmen also hold the 36th, 58th, 80th, 102nd and 124th overall picks.
© The Calgary Herald 2007