Wong wins Humanitarian of theYear
Tyler Wong of the Lethbridge Hurricanes was named the winner of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy on Wednesday as the Western Hockey League’s Humanitarian of the Year.
Wong, the graduating captain of the Hurricanes, was the Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year for a third consecutive season.
Building upon success from its inaugural season in 2015-16, Wong carried forward with the Canes KidSport program in 2016-17, donating $5 to KidSport Lethbridge and Taber for each goal he scored. The initiative raised over $6,000 in 2015-16 and after setting a goal to raise $10,000 in 2016-17, Wong recruited Ryley Lindgren (now of the Swift Current Broncos), Giorgio Estephan and Jordy Bellerive to accept the challenge in support of KidSport. With the help of the community and alumni, Wong’s initiative surpassed its goal by raising over $13,0000 this season.
In addition to his contributions toward KidSport Lethbridge and Taber, Wong was also involved in the “Hurricanes Spread Christmas Cheer” program in support of local food banks in southern Alberta. He also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant in a local classroom, served as a volunteer on-ice instructor for a number of minor hockey teams throughout the season and most recently worked with the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association to help individuals with mental and physical disabilities through horseback riding.
This season, Wong was voted as the Hurricanes “Fan Favourite Player” for the fifth time, ensuring a clean sweep of the award across the duration of his WHL and Hurricanes career — a feat achieved by no other player in Lethbridge Hurricanes history.
Sam Ruopp of the Prince George Cougars was the Western Conference nominee.
The WHL also announced numerous other award winners at the ceremony in Calgary.
Sam Steel of the Regina Pats won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year. A first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Steel had 50 goals and 131 points in 66 games for the Pats. Mathew Barzal of the Seattle Thunderbirds was runner-up.
Aleksi Heponiemi of the Swift Current Broncos won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL rookie of the year. The Tampere, Finland native led all rookies in regular season scoring with 86 points (28g58a). Rudolfs Balcers of Kamloops was runner-up.
Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips is WHL goaltender of the year, winning the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy. Hart had a record of 32-11-6-2, and as reigning WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year he led the league in goals-against average (1.99), save percentage (.927) and shutouts (9) in 201617. Hart was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Zach Sawchenko of Moose Jaw Warriors was runner-up.
Ethan Bear of Seattle was the WHL Defenceman of the Year, winning the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, edging out Connor Hobbs of the Regina Pats.
Tyler Steenbergen of the Swift Current Broncos won the Brad Hornung Trophy as the WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year. Kevin Davis of Everett was runner-up.
Brian King of Everett edged out Adam Kadlec of Prince Albert as WHL Scholastic Player of the Year (Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy).
John Paddock of the Regina Pats was named both coach of the year and executive of the year, edging out Mike Johnston of Portland as top coach, and Bruce Hamilton of Kelowna as top executive.