Lowry wins Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
In what could be Adam Lowry’s final act as a member of the Swift Current Broncos, the 19-yearold forward accepted the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the Western Hockey League Player of the Year Wednesday in Calgary at the WHL Awards Luncheon.
Lowry beat out Tri-City’s Justin Feser to become the first Bronco to win the Player of the Year Award since Sergei Varlamov in 1997-98.
The Broncos captain led the Broncos with 45 goals and 43 assists while appearing in all 72 games this season. He also posted a +18 rating and compiled 102 penalty minutes.
He was named the Husky WHL Player of the Month in December and was the only unanimous selection when he was named to the Eastern Conference First All-Star Team.
Lowry became the fifth player in franchise history to win the WHL’s highest individual honour. Varlamov won in 1997-98, five seasons after Jason Krywulak was named the Most Valuable Player in 1992-93. Joe Sakic was named the WHL Most Valuable Player in 1987-88 and was also named the East Most Valuable Player in 1986-87 during a two-year stretch where the league named winners in both the East and West Divisions. Bryan Trottier was the Broncos’ first ever Most Valuable Player in 1974-75 with the Lethbridge Broncos.
The award is named the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in memory of Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff, who died in a tragic accident on December 30, 1986 when the Broncos bus crashed on its way to a game in Regina.
The trophy was awarded from 1967 to 1993 to the league’s Most Valuable Player. Since the 1993-94 season it has been awarded to the WHL Player of the Year.
Notable recipients include Bobby Clarke (Flin Flon Bombers, 1968-69), Mike Vernon (Calgary Wranglers, 1981-82, 198283), Jarome Iginla (Kamloops Blazers, 1995-96), and Jordan Eberle (Regina Pats, 2009-10).
Other WHL awards winner were as follows: Adam Lowry (right) won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year. WHL Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Winner: Seth Jones – Portland Winterhawks
Runner up: Leon Draisaitl – Prince Albert Raiders WHL Goaltender of the Year - Del Wilson Trophy Winner: Patrik Bartosak – Red Deer Rebels
Runner up: Mac Carruth – Portland Winterhawks WHL Defenseman of the Year - Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Winner: Brenden Kichton – Spokane Chiefs
Runner up: Morgan Rielly – Moose Jaw Warriors WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year - Brad Hornung Trophy
Winner: Dylan Wruck – Edmonton Oil Kings
Runner up: Zach Franko – Kelowna Rockets WHL Scholastic Player of the Year – Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy Winner: Josh Morrissey – Prince Albert Raiders
Runner up: Rourke Chartier – Kelowna Rockets WHL Humanitarian of the Year – Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy Winner: Cody Sylvester – Calgary Hitmen
Runner up: Mitch Topping – Tri-City Americans WHL Coach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Winner: Ryan McGill Kootenay Ice
Runner up: Ryan Huska – Kelowna Rockets
WHL Executive
of
the
Year
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- Lloyd Trophy Winner: Bob Green – Edmonton Oil Kings
Runner up: Bruce Hamilton – Kelowna Rockets
Saunders
Memorial WHL Marketing/Business Award Winner: Kamloops Blazers
Runner up: Saskatoon Blades WHL Scholastic Team of the Year Winner: Portland Winterhawks WHL Top Official – Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy Winner: Nathan Wieler WHL Regular Season Champion - Scotty Munro Trophy Winner: Portland Winterhawks WHL Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy Co-Winners: Brendan Leipsic & Nicholas Petan – Portland Winterhawks