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02-22-2005, 02:26 PM
From the Everett Herald:

Hamill named top 16-year-old in poll


By Nick Patterson
Everett Herald Writer


The Tri-Cities Herald released its annual Best of the West poll last weekend. For the 17th straight season, the players, management and broadcasters from the 10 teams in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League were polled in 21 different categories. Each voter ranked their top four in each category, with four points awarded for being ranked first, three for second, two for third and one for fourth.

Everett finished first in just one category. Center Zach Hamill finished first in the voting for top 16-year-old, earning 86.6 percent of the maximum possible points. Hamill, who currently leads the league in points by a 16-year-old with 29, also finished second to Vancouver defenseman Andrej Meszaros in the voting for best rookie (53.7 percent).

Everett captain Mitch Love earned mention in three different categories. Love ended up fourth in the rankings for best overage player (18.3) and sixth for both toughest player (10.4) and best stay-at-home defenseman (13.8).

Tips goaltender Michael Wall received two mentions. He was voted sixth for best goaltender (12.5) and also ranked sixth for most overrated (10.6).

Right wing Brady Calla was third to Hamill in the voting for best 16-year-old (29.6) and center Mark Kress was voted sixth for top defensive forward (12.7).

Among management, Kevin Constantine was voted the conference's fourth-best coach (46.5) and Doug Soetaert was voted the conference's fourth-best executive (23.0).

Everett finished second in the best fans category (62.3).

Three players received the top ranking in two categories. Kootenay left wing Nigel Dawes was named the most valuable to his team and voted the most accurate shot; Kootenay center Adam Taylor was named the top face-off man and top defensive forward; and Tri-City defenseman Shawn Belle was named the best skater and most overrated.

In other notable categories, Kootenay's Jeff Glass was named the best goaltender, Portland defenseman Braydon Coburn was named the best pro prospect, Vancouver left wing Triston Grant was named the toughest player, Portland center Brandon Dubinsky was named the most irritating player and Kelowna's Jeff Truitt was named the best coach.

Scouting report: Everett (28-22-7-2, 65 points, second in the U.S. Division) and Kamloops (22-31-6-2, 52 points, 4th in the B.C. Division) have had a strange series this season. The teams have split their four meetings, both winning once at home and once away, and all four games have been one-sided affairs. Everett won its games 3-0 and 6-0, Kamloops won its games 4-2 and 4-0.

Kamloops has been without its captain and second-leading scorer, 20-year-old left wing Aaron Richards (18 goals, 19 assists), since Feb. 4 because of a concussion. In his absence, 18-year-old Ray Macias (eight goals, 30 assists) has moved from defense to wing and taken over the team scoring lead. Eighteen-year-old center Reid Jorgensen leads the team in goals with 19.

In goal, 18-year-old Devan Dubnyk (19-29-6, 2.73 goals against average, .911 save percentage) has had to carry a heavy load. The first-round pick in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers has had to face as many as 66 shots in a game this season