WHL announces 2003-04 Award Finalists and Conference All-Star Teams

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League announced today the Eastern and Western Conference Finalists for the 2003-04 WHL Awards, and the 2003-04 Eastern and Western Conference First and Second All-Star Teams. The winners of these awards along with the WHL Player of the Year will be announced at the 2003-04 WHL Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 28th, 2004.

The WHL Player of the Year, Scholastic and Humanitarian Players of the Year will be announced the first week of April.

The WHL announced the Finalists in the following categories.

Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference - Andrew Ladd (Maple Ridge, BC), Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference - Gilbert Brule (North Vancouver, BC), Vancouver Giants

Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy
Eastern Conference - Cam Ward (Sherwood Park, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Western Conference - Kelly Guard (Prince Albert, SK), Kelowna Rockets

Defenceman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference - Dion Phaneuf (Edmonton, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Western Conference - Josh Gorges (Kelowna, BC), Kelowna Rockets

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy
Eastern Conference - Tomas Fleischmann (Celadna, Czech Rep.), Moose Jaw Warriors
Western Conference - Nigel Dawes (Winnipeg, MB), Kootenay Ice

Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy, presented by RE/MAX
Eastern Conference - Curtis Hunt (North Battleford, SK), Moose Jaw Warriors
Western Conference - Kevin Constantine (International Falls, MN), Everett Silvertips

Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy
Eastern Conference - Kelly Kisio (Wetaskiwin, AB) Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference - Bruce Hamilton (Saskatoon, SK) Kelowna Rockets

Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy, presented by CGC
Tyler Redenbach (Kamloops, BC), Swift Current Broncos

The Western Hockey League also announced the First and Second Conference All-Star Teams.

EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender - Cam Ward (Sherwood Park, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Defenceman - Mark Ardelan (Avonlea, SK), Prince Albert Raiders
Defenceman - Dion Phaneuf (Edmonton, AB), Red Deer Rebels
Forward - Kyle Brodziak (Vegreville, AB), Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward - Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK), Calgary Hitmen
Forward - Jeremy Williams (Glenavon, SK), Swift Current Broncos

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender - Rejean Beauchemin (Winnipeg, MB), Prince Albert Raiders
Defenceman - Derek Meech (Winnipeg, MB), Red Deer Rebels
Defenceman - Aaron Rome (Nesbitt, MB), Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward - Tomas Fleischmann (Celadna, Czech Rep.), Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward - Seth Leonard (Nakusp, BC), Prince Albert Raiders
Forward - Tyler Redenbach (Kamloops, BC), Swift Current Broncos

WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender - Kelly Guard (Prince Albert, SK), Kelowna Rockets
Defenceman - Braydon Coburn (Shaunavon, SK), Portland Winter Hawks
Defenceman - Josh Gorges (Kelowna, BC), Kelowna Rockets
Forward - Adam Courchaine (Winnipeg, MB), Vancouver Giants
Forward - Nigel Dawes (Winnipeg, MB), Kootenay Ice
Forward - Ryan Kinasewich (St. Albert, AB), Tri-City Americans

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender - Jeff Harvey (St. Albert, AB), Everett Silvertips
Defenceman - Richie Regehr (Rosthern, SK), Portland Winter Hawks
Defenceman - Shea Weber (Sicamous, BC), Kelowna Rockets
Forward - Brandon Dubinsky (Anchorage, AK), Portland Winter Hawks
Forward - Chad Klassen (Warman, SK), Spokane Chiefs
Forward - Brad Schell (Scott, SK), Spokane Chiefs