WHL writers poll

[rinkrat]

Where is this poll published? Anyone have a link?

[Tiger Trauma]

Its published in the different cities newspaper's i believe..I know the medicine hat news publishes it in their paper. The last week had vancouver #1, medicine hat #2 I think.

[peatfan]

Don't know offhand if both papers print it or not. I always find this more accurate than the Canada rankings.

[Bran]

Are you talking about the poll that's done near the end of the year with polls for best fans, most underrated player, best gm, etc, that polls different sports writers in the WHL cities? I think that one should be coming out soon, I'm not sure who 'runs' the poll but it's published in a lot of newspapers.

If that's not what you're talking about then sorry! Does anyone know when that poll usually does come out though, I find it kind of interesting, though totally pointless.

[Sput]

That poll came out last week, or earlier this week. I'll see if I can track down the results.


I found the link to the, I think, TCA home paper the Herald. Hope this works.

http://www.sportstricities.com/sportstc/hockey/americans/story/7465923p-7376255c.html

[Sput]

If the link doesn't work, here is the text of the artical. Only difference is some of the catigories had the player's picture with the list.

Best of the West results
This story was published Sunday, February 19th, 2006

Project by Annie Fowler, Herald staff writer

No fans, no media, no scouts.The Best of the West voting is done by the insiders -- players, management and broadcasters from the 10 clubs in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League.

Therein lies the appeal, and why this marks the 18th edition of the poll.

The Victoria Times-Columnist in British Columbia founded the survey in 1989. At the request of the Times-Colonist, the Herald took over the poll in 1994 after the Cougars left Vancouver Island for Prince George.

This year, 37 ballots were returned, two more than last season.

In the early years of the poll, clubs asked individual players to vote on each of the 21 categories.

Now, many teams break into groups of three or four players to collaborate on a ballot.

To prevent ballot-box stuffing, voters were not permitted to select anyone from their own organization. Teams with key players moved at the trade deadline were asked to vote on rosters as of mid-January.

Votes ranked the Top 4 in each category, resulting in a 4-3-2-1 point system. The figures listed are the percentage of points possible.

For example, Everett's Peter Mueller received 28 of 36 first-place votes in the conference's top rookie category.

The clubs represented are a combination of the British Columbia Division (Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Kootenay Ice, Prince George Cougars and Vancouver Giants) and the United States Division (Everett Silvertips, Portland Winter Hawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans).

Statistics listed are through Friday's games.

Toughest player

Matt Kassian, Kamloops 84.7%

Scoring isn't his game, but with 17 tilts, fighting is for this 2005 second-round pick of the Minnesota Wild.

Also

Aaron Boogaard, Tri-Cities 57.2%
Myles Stoesz, Spokane 41.2%
Milan Lucic, Vancouver 17.3%
Frazer McLaren, Portland 15.7%
Garth Collins, Portland 12.9%
Mark Fistric, Vancouver 8.5%



Past winners

2005, Triston Grant, Vancouver; 2004, Cam McCaffrey, Tri-Cities; 2003-02, Darren McLachlan, Seattle; 2001, Derek Boogaard, Prince George; 2000, Mitch Fritz, Kelowna; 1999, Mike Brown, Kamloops; 1998, Scott Parker, Kelowna.

Most valuable to team

Carey Price, Tri-Cities 55.4%

A key component of the Americans' assent from worst to third in the U.S. Division.

Also

Justin Keller, Kelowna 31.5%
Devan Dubnyk, Kamloops 30.2%
Blake Comeau, Kelowna 24.3%
Brandon Dubinsky, Portland 23.6%
Shaun Heshka, Everett 18.6%
Bryan Bridges, Seattle 17.5%



Past winners

2005-04, Nigel Dawes, Kootenay; 2003, Kiel McLeod, Kelowna; 2002, Dan Hamhuis, Prince George; 2001, Kevin Swanson, Kelowna; 2000, Micki DuPont, Kamloops; 1999, Brett McLean, Kelowna/Brandon.

Best goaltender

Carey Price, Tri-Cities 77.4%

Doesn't have the top numbers in WHL, but has three shutouts and the respect of his peers.

Also

Devan Dubnyk, Kamloops 57.2%
Bryan Bridges, Seattle 35.4%
Leland Irving, Everett 34.3%
Taylor Dakers, Kootenay 27.4%
Dustin Slade, Vancouver 20.6%
Derek Yeomans, Kelowna 17%



Past winners

2005, Jeff Glass, Kootenay; 2004, Kelly Guard, Kelowna; 2003, Billy Thompson, Prince George; 2002, Shane Bendera, Kelowna; 2001, Kevin Swanson, Kelowna; 2000-1999, Jason LaBarbera, Portland/Spokane.

Best pro prospect

Carey Price, Tri-Cities 73.9%

No. 5 overall selection of the Montreal Canadiens in 2005 was an overwhelming favorite.

Also

Peter Mueller, Everett 41.9%
Blake Comeau, Kelowna 38.8%
Gilbert Brule, Vancouver 38.4%
Devan Dubnyk, Kamloops 22.9%
Mark Fistric, Vancouver 17.1%
Logan Stephenson, Tri-Cities 8.6%



Past winners

2005-04, Braydon Coburn, Portland; 2003, Scottie Upshall, Kamloops; 2002, Dan Hamhuis, Prince George; 2001, Jamie Lundmark, Seattle; 2000, Oleg Saprykin, Seattle; 1999, Brenden Morrow, Portland.

Best stay-at-home defenseman

Mark Fistric, Vancouver 74.7%

With a plus-25 rating, the first-round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2004 ran away with the voting.

Also

Clayton Barthel, Seattle 29.5%
Logan Stephenson, Tri-Cities 29.4%
Scott Jackson, Seattle 26%
Ty Wishart, Prince George 17%
Mike Funk, Portland 14.6%
Mike Sauer, Portland 14.5%



Past winners

2005-04, Shea Weber, Kelowna; 2003, Matt Spiller, Seattle; 2002-01, Kurt Sauer, Spokane; 2000, Kyle Rossiter, Spokane; 1999, Robyn Regehr, Kamloops.

Top faceoff man

Tyler Spurgeon, Kelowna 44.5%

A shoulder injury has limited his play, but he has left a lasting impression on opponents.

Also

Aaron Gagnon, Seattle 29%
Brandon Dubinsky, Portland 23.6%
Dale Mahovsky, Kootenay 22.9%
Nick Drazenovic, Prince George 19.6%
Peter Mueller, Everett 16.1%
Chris Ray, Kelowna 15.6%



Past winners

2005, Adam Taylor, Kootenay; 2004, Jarret Lukin, Kamloops; 2003, Blake Robson, Prince George; 2000-02, Brandin Cote, Spokane; 1997-99, Ajay Baines, Kamloops; 1996, Jan Hrdina, Seattle/Spokane.

Best fans

Everett 79.5%

Silvertips fans knocked Kelowna out of the top spot, which it had held for three years.

Also

Kelowna 72.7%
Vancouver 56.5%
Portland 25.9%
Spokane 16.7%
Kamloops 10.4%
Kootenay 7.5%
Tri-Cities 4.1%
Seattle 1.6%
Prince George 0%

Past winners

2005-03, Kelowna; 2002-1999, Prince George; 1998-94, Portland; 1993, Seattle; 1992-1990, Kamloops (1st year of category).

Top rookie

Peter Mueller, Everett 88.9%

Former Team USA U-18 star was a favorite here and should be in the 2006 NHL draft.

Also

Michael Repik, Vancouver 53.2%
Thomas Hickey, Seattle 39.7%
Jannik Hansen, Portland 36.6%
Alexander Edler, Kelowna 21.9%
Drayson Bowman, Spokane 10.8%
John Negrin, Kootenay 4%



Past winners

2005, Andrej Meszaros, Vancouver; 2004, Gilbert Brule, Vancouver; 2003, Jonas Johansson, Kamloops; 2002, Tomas Plihal, Kootenay; 2001, Scottie Upshall, Kamloops; 2000, Roman Tvrdon, Spokane; 1999, Oleg Saprykin, Seattle.

Best overage player

Adam Cracknell, Kootenay 35.8%

2004 draft pick of the Calgary Flames ranks eighth among WHL scorers with 66 points.

Also

Ian McDonald, Tri-Cities 32.9%
Ashton Rome, Kamloops 32.1%
Bryan Bridges, Seattle 29.6%
Shaun Heshka, Everett 28.4%
Mitch Bartley, Vancouver 27.4%
Dale Mahovsky, Kootenay 20.6%



Past winners

2005, Adam Courchaine, Vancouver; 2004, Ryan Kinasewich, Tri-Cities; 2003, Kiel McLeod, Kelowna; 2002, Kurt Sauer, Spokane; 2001, Christian Chartier, Prince George; 2000, Gary Toor, Prince George; 1999, Brett McLean, Kelowna/Brandon.

Most improved

Ian McDonald, Tri-Cities 40.4%

Second in WHL scoring with 74 points, 32 points better than all of last season and has 16 games remaining.

Also

Tim Kraus, Vancouver 26.8%
Paul Albers, Vancouver 21.1%
Dustin Slade, Vancouver 20.3%
Kyle Lamb, Vancouver 18.5%
Shaun Heshka, Everett 16.3%
Ty Wishart, Prince George 9.6%



Past winners

2005, Aaron Gagnon, Seattle; 2004, Brad Schell, Spokane; 2003, Jesse Schultz, Kelowna; 2002, Paul Gaustad, Portland; 2001, Dan Hamhuis, Prince George; 2000, Tim Smith, Spokane; 1999, Ken McKay, Tri-Cities.

Most irritating player

Brandon Dubinsky, Portland 83.3%

Abrasive on-ice personality has him skating away with second-straight title.

Also

J.D. Watt, Vancouver 27.
Eric Hunter, Prince George 26.6%
Jason Beeman, Tri-Cities 16.5%
Ashton Rome, Kamloops 11.1%
Myles Stoesz, Spokane 9.2%
Logan Stephenson, Tri-Cities 7.7%



Past winners

2005, Brandon Dubinsky, Portland; 2004, Simon Ferguson, Kelowna; 2003, Blake Robson, Prince George; 2002-00, Brandin Cot, Spokane; 1999-97, Ajay Baines, Kamloops; 1996, Jan Hrdina, Seattle/Spokane.

Best 16-year-old

Thomas Hickey, Seattle 77.2%

His 19 points ranks him first among the team's defensemen, while his plus-5 rating is second.

Also

Drayson Bowman, Spokane 50.4%
Luke Schenn, Kelowna 27.7%
Jonathan Blum, Vancouver, 17.4%
Zach Dailey, Everett 16.9%
John Negrin, Kootenay 16.9%
Eric Doyle, Everett 12%



Past winners

2005, Zach Hamill, Everett; 2004, Gilbert Brule, Vancouver; 2003, Mike Card, Kelowna; 2002, Braydon Coburn, Portland; 2001, Jonathan Filewich, Prince George.

[Sput]

the list was WAAAAYYYY to long for one post.....here's the rest of it.

Best 16-year-old

Thomas Hickey, Seattle 77.2%

His 19 points ranks him first among the team's defensemen, while his plus-5 rating is second.

Also

Drayson Bowman, Spokane 50.4%
Luke Schenn, Kelowna 27.7%
Jonathan Blum, Vancouver, 17.4%
Zach Dailey, Everett 16.9%
John Negrin, Kootenay 16.9%
Eric Doyle, Everett 12%



Past winners

2005, Zach Hamill, Everett; 2004, Gilbert Brule, Vancouver; 2003, Mike Card, Kelowna; 2002, Braydon Coburn, Portland; 2001, Jonathan Filewich, Prince George.

Most overrated player

Chris Durand, Seattle 27.8%

Second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2005, has just 14 goals and is way off last year's scoring pace.

Also

Carey Price, Tri-Cities 26.8%
Devan Dubnyk, Kamloops 21.8%
Michael Funk, Portland 17.9%
Andy Rogers, Price George 17.4%
Brendan Mikkelson, Vancouver 15.3%
Mark Fistric, Vancouver 14.5%



Past winners

2005, Shawn Belle, Tri-Cities; 2004, Todd Ford, Vancouver; 2003, Shawn Belle, Tri-Cities; 2002, Shaone Morrisonn, Kamloops; 2000, Scott Kelman, Seattle; 1999, Brad Ference, Spokane/Tri-Cities; 1998, Brad Ference, Spokane.

Best coach

Don Hay, Vancouver 72.8%

Ended three-year reign by Kelowna bench bosses.

Also

Cory Clouston, Kootenay 70.5%
Kevin Constantine, Everett 63.4%
Jeff Truitt, Kelowna 50.4%
Mike Vandekamp, Prince George 6.9%
Mike Williamson, Portland 6.4%
Don Nachbaur, Tri-Cities 6.1%
Rob Sumner, Seattle 4.1%
Bill Peters, Spokane 0.4%
Dean Clark, Kamloops 0%



Past winners

2005, Jeff Truitt, Kelowna; 2004-03, Marc Habscheid, Kelowna; 2002, Ed Dempsey, Prince George; 2001, Marc Habscheid, Kelowna; 2000, Mike Babcock, Spokane; 1999, Don Hay, Tri-Cities.

Top defensive forward

Tyler Spurgeon, Kelowna 51.6%

Third win in four years for the Rockets, who rank sixth in the WHL for goals against.

Also

Blake Comeau, Kelowna 34.6%
Kyle Bailey, Portland 28.4%
Mark Kress, Everett 23.5%
Reid Jorgensen, Kamloops 20.7%
Chris Ray, Kelowna 10.9%
Matt Schneider, Tri-Cities 10.1%



Past winners

2005, Adam Taylor, Kootenay; 2004, Cam Paddock, Kelowna; 2003, Ryan Cuthbert, Kelowna; 2002-01, Brandin Cot, Spokane; 2000, Derek Schultz, Spokane; 1999-97, Ajay Baines, Kamloops.

Most accurate shot

Justin Keller, Kelowna 64.3%

Ranks second in WHL with 39 goals and fifth in scoring with 70 points.

Also

Brandon Dubinsky, Portland 29.6%
John Lammers, Everett 27.9%
Ryan Russell, Kootenay 25.9%
Ian McDonald, Tri-Cities 20.5%
Jon Bubnick, Portland 15%
Gilbert Brule, Vancouver 13.3%



Past winners

2005, Nigel Dawes, Kootenay; 2004, Nigel Dawes, Kootenay; 2003, Kiel McLeod, Kelowna; 2002, Josef Balej, Portland; 2001, Konstantin Panov, Kamloops; 2000, Oleg Saprykin, Seattle; 1999, Bret DeCecco, Seattle.

Top executive

Scott Bonner, Vancouver 70.8%

Has gotten quality players to commit and brought in a top-notch coach to guide them.

Also

Jeff Chynoweth, Kootenay 67.8%
Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna 59%
Kevin Constantine, Everett 32.2%
Ken Hodge, Portland 10.2%
Bob Tory, Tri-Cities 10%
Russ Farwell, Seattle 7.3%
Dean Clark, Kamloops 1%
Tim Speltz, Spokane 0.6%
Dallas Thompson, Prince George 0.5%



Past winners

2005-03, Bruce Hamilton, Kelowna; 2002-01, Mike Moore, Kamloops, 2000, Tim Speltz, Spokane; 1999, Mike Moore, Kamloops; 1998, Ken Hodge, Portland.

Best referee

Rob Matsuoka 64.1%

In a season with new rules, he's one of a few who can call a consistent game.

Also

Kyle Rehman 33.7%
Chris Savage 29.1%
Derek Herman 12.6%
Pat Smith 11.6%
Andy Thiessen 9%
Derek Zalaski 5.6%



Past winners

2005-04, Rob Matsuoka; 2003-01, Kevin Acheson; 2000-1999, Kelly Sutherland; 1998-93, Tom Kowal; 1992-91, Brad Davis; 1990, Darren Loraas.

Best skater

Ryan Russell, Kootenay 40.7%

First Ice player to win category that was up for grabs with two-time winner Shawn Belle jumping to AHL.

Also

Ray Macias, Kamloops 26.4%
Aaron Gagnon, Seattle 18.7%
Kyle Cumiskey, Kelowna 16.2%
Mike Grabner, Spokane 15.7%
Brendan Mikkelson, Vancouver 11.7%
Nick Drazenovic, Price George 11.4%



Past winners

2005-04, Shawn Belle, Tri-Cities; 2003, Scottie Upshall, Kamloops; 2002-01, Josef Balej, Portland; 2000, Oleg Saprykin, Seattle; 1999, Torrey DiRoberto, Seattle; 1998, Greg Leeb, Spokane.

Hardest shot

Roman Tesliuk, Kamloops 60.4%

Russian D-man has power and a touch of accuracy with 13 goals -- 6 of which have come on the power play.

Also

Adam Cracknell, Kootenay 31.6%
Cody Franson, Vancouver 18.5%
Justin Keller, Kelowna 14.6%
Logan Stephenson, Tri-Cities 13.2%
Mike Card, Kelowna 12.5%
Ashton Rome, Kamloops 10.4%



Past winners

2005, Dustin Byfuglien, Prince George; 2004, Richie Regehr, Portland, 2003, Matt Spiller, Seattle; 2002, Josef Balej, Portland; 2001, Christian Chartier, Prince George; 2000, Kyle Rossiter, Spokane; 1999, Jame Pollock, Seattle.

Most underrated player

Ian McDonald, Tri-Cities 49.5%

Discovered his scoring touch since last season and ran away with the voting.

Also

Derek Ryan, Spokane 14.3%
Paul Albers, Vancouver 14.2%
Kyle Lamb, Vancouver 12.5%
Eric Hunter, Price George 12.5%
Mike Card Kelowna 12.4%
Mitch Bartley, Vancouver 10.2%



Past winners

2005, Clayton Stoner, Tri-Cities; 2004, Shea Weber, Kelowna; 2003, Tyler Mosienko, Kelowna; 2002, Eric Johansson, Tri-Cities; 2001, Rory McDade, Kelowna; 2000, Micki DuPont, Kamloops; 1999, Bret DeCecco, Seattle.

[2,5,andagame]

How does Price get best goaltender, team MVP, best pro prospect, but is second in voting for overrated?????

[Sabes]

I am interested in starting up an East ballot. I will take 3 fans from each team to submit a ballot from the Eastern Conference teams. If you are interested PM me.

[Sput]

How does Price get best goaltender, team MVP, best pro prospect, but is second in voting for overrated?????


That one made me wonder too. How can you be the top vote getter in two catagories, but come in second for most overrated? Confuses me, but then again....thats easy to do some days. :spineyes:

[Jovorock]

Best coach

Don Hay, Vancouver 72.8%

Ended three-year reign by Kelowna bench bosses.

Also

Cory Clouston, Kootenay 70.5%
Kevin Constantine, Everett 63.4%
Jeff Truitt, Kelowna 50.4%
Mike Vandekamp, Prince George 6.9%
Mike Williamson, Portland 6.4%
Don Nachbaur, Tri-Cities 6.1%
Rob Sumner, Seattle 4.1%
Bill Peters, Spokane 0.4%
Dean Clark, Kamloops 0%



Past winners

2005, Jeff Truitt, Kelowna; 2004-03, Marc Habscheid, Kelowna; 2002, Ed Dempsey, Prince George; 2001, Marc Habscheid, Kelowna; 2000, Mike Babcock, Spokane; 1999, Don Hay, Tri-Cities.

.
Dean Clark 0%, ouch!

[Triton]

Dean Clark 0%, ouch!

Dean Clark was a great coach in Calgary and Brandon..maybe he has nothing to work with in Kamloops or that the fact that the players just aren't willing to put forth the effort night in and night out to get the job done.

[peatfan]

This was in the Calgary Herald:

This Week-Last-First place-Points

1(2)-Medicine Hat-14-299
2(3)-Calgary -1 -281
3(1)-Vancouver - -274
4(4)- Moose Jaw -253

5(6)-Kelowna -242
6(5)-Kootenay -226
7(7)-Everett -210
8(8)-Saskatoon -189

9(11)-Prince George -179
10(9)-Regina -171
11(12)-Seattle -142
11(10)-Kamloops -142

13(13)-Tri City -112
14(15)-Lethbridge -110
15(14)-Brandon -84