Last year, Chet Pickard raked in so many awards and honors, he could hardly fit them all in his truck at the end of the season.
The Tri-City Americans goalie may want to rent a trailer when he heads home to Winnipeg, Manitoba, this spring.
Pickard was named the WHL's Western Conference goaltender of the year Wednesday, and was named to the Western Conference first team for the second year in a row.
Joining Pickard on the Western Conference All-Star team was forward Taylor Procyshen, who earned second-team honors.
Both will lead the Americans on Friday as they open the playoffs against Everett at Toyota Center.
Also named to the first team were defensemen Jonathon Blum of Vancouver and Thomas Hickey of Seattle, and forwards Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Evander Kane of Vancouver and Jamie Benn of Kelowna.
Second-team honors also went to Spokane goaltender Dustin Tokarski, defensemen Tyler Myers of Kelowna and Brent Regner of Vancouver and forwards Drayson Bowman of Spokane and Kelowna's Colin Long.
The Eastern Conference All-Stars will be announced today.
Pickard, who played in 50 games this season, was 35-12-0-3 with six shutouts in leading the Americans to a second straight U.S. Division title. He finished in the top five among league goaltenders in goals against average (2.28, fifth), save percentage (.921, second), wins (25, fourth) and shutouts
(6, third).
The 2008 first-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators will try to become the first goalie to win consecutive WHL goaltender of the year honors since Calgary's Mike Vernon (1981-82, 1982-83). If selected, Pickard would become just the fourth goalie in the league's history to have been awarded the honor twice.
Procyshen, capping off his fourth year in the league -- all with Tri-City -- played all 72 games with career highs of 36 goals, 45 assists, 81 points and a plus-40 rating. He finished his regular-season career tied for eighth all-time on the Americans' goals scored list (112) and 14th all-time on the scoring list (212 points).
Similar stories:
Best of the West 2012
Best of the West 2012
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 24th edition of the poll.
The Victoria Times-Colonist 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 Victoria Cougars left Vancouver Island for Prince George.
Ams' trio to play in Subway Series
Ams' trio to play in Subway Series
For the first time in team history, the Tri-City Americans had three players selected to Team WHL for the Subway Super Series against Team Russia.
Forwards Justin Feser and Patrick Holland, and defenseman Zach Yuen were chosen Thursday to play in Game 2 of the series Nov. 17 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
"It's exciting," Feser said of being selected. "You work hard to get to play in events like this, and it's exciting to get to go with two of your teammates."
Rimmer, Ams shut out Silvertips
Rimmer, Ams shut out Silvertips
EVERETT -- Home or on the road, the Tri-City Americans keep on winning.
Ty Rimmer picked up his second consecutive shutout, and Brendan Shinnimin and Malte Strmwall each had a goal and an assist Saturday night to lead the Americans to a 4-0 victory over the Everett Silvertips at Comcast Arena.
"You know what? I really liked us tonight," Tri-City coach Jim Hiller said. "We played a solid game. Every facet of the game -- special teams, goaltending, forechecks -- everything was working."
Ams season earns A grade so far
Ams season earns A grade so far
KENNEWICK -- 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the rink,
Not a creature was stirring, and the Zamboni was catching 20 winks;
The stockings were hung on the dasher boards with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of the Memorial Cup danced in their heads.
With a 27-7-0-0 record and a Western Hockey League-leading 54 points, the Tri-City Americans don't have to worry about Santa filling their stockings with coal.
I must admit, I couldn't find much fault with the Americans at the holiday break. Off to the best start in franchise history, they also are on an eight-game winning streak. They are ranked No. 2 in the CHL poll and have the third-most points in the CHL.
No Ams reach Canadian Jr. National team camp
No Ams reach Canadian Jr. National team camp
KENNEWICK -- Invitations to Canada's National Junior team camp were handed out Monday, but none were extended to Tri-City Americans players.
Forwards Patrick Holland and Justin Feser, along with defenseman Zach Yuen, were invited to play in the Subway Super Series earlier this month. The two-game series against Team Russia was the final opportunity for players to impress Canada coach Don Hay and Kevin Prendergast, Hockey Canada's head scout.
"It was a good opportunity and I gave it my best shot," Feser said of the Super Series. "That's all I can ask of myself. Staying here, I get stay with the team. We have jelled as a team and our team bonding is great and that shows on the ice and with the wins."
Print
Email Story
