Provorov up for WHL award

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This article was published 24/03/2016 (3724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the second season in a row, Brandon Wheat Kings rearguard Ivan Provorov has been named the Eastern Conference’s defenceman of the year and a first-team all-star.

The Russian defenceman, who led the league in plus-minus with a plus-64 and all defenders in scoring with 73 points, said he was happy with the recognition as the Western Hockey League released its annual awards late Wednesday afternoon.

“It always great to see your name up for something,” Provorov said. “It means a lot. I just want to thank my teammates and the coaching staff.”

The native of Yaroslavl, Russia, who is in his second year with Brandon, was picked in the first round of the 2015 National Hockey League entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers.

A pair of Provorov’s teammates were named to the second all-star team, with Nolan Patrick and Jayce Hawryluk earning spots.

Elkhorn’s Travis Sanheim, a defenceman with the Calgary Hitmen, was also named an Eastern Conference second-team all-star.

“Patty and Jayce are great players,” Provorov said. “They have great chemistry and have been playing really good. They’ve been our leaders all year long and it’s great to see them getting on the all-star team.”

Provorov was edged for the WHL defenceman of the year honours last season by Shea Theodore, who played for the Seattle Thunderbirds. This season he faces Joe Hicketts of the Victoria Royals, who was named the top defender in the Western Conference.

Overall, Provorov said he has been satisfied with his play.

“I think I’m having a pretty good season right now,” Provorov said. “I think I got better and I’m still trying to get better every day. Every time I’m on the ice I’m trying to help the team win and do everything I can to help for my team. I compete hard and if we win, everything will take care of itself.”

Award winners will be announced in Calgary May 4.

ICINGS: The Kootenay Ice will have the top pick in the upcoming Western Hockey League bantam draft on May 5. In the league’s draft lottery, Kootenay had its ball picked, the first time the Ice will have the top pick since they selected Jarrett Stoll in 1997 as an expansion team. In order, the next five teams to pick will be the Vancouver Giants, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Medicine Hat Tigers and Tri-City Americans. Brandon will select 21st … Jordan Papirny was nominated for the Vaughn CHL goaltender of the week award by the WHL after posting three wins last week with a 1.33 goals against average and a .944 save percentage with one shutout … One of five WHL prospect combines will be held in Manitoba, at Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg on June 4-5. The event consists of a full two-day camp that includes on and off-ice sessions, scrimmages and a nutrition, strength and conditioning seminar.

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WHL AWARD FINALISTS

Executive of the Year (Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Peter Anholt, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Western Conference: Cameron Hope, Victoria Royals

Coach of the Year (Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Brent Kisio, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Western Conference: Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year (Brad Hornung Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Jake Bean (Calgary, AB), Calgary Hitmen

Western Conference: Tyler Soy (Coquitlam, B.C.), Victoria Royals

Rookie of the Year (Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Noah Gregor (Beaumont), Moose Jaw Warriors

Western Conference: Matthew Phillips (Calgary), Victoria Royals

Top Goaltender (Del Wilson Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Zachary Sawchenko (Calgary), Moose Jaw Warriors

Western Conference: Carter Hart (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Everett Silvertips

Top Defenceman (Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings

Western Conference: Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C.), Victoria Royals

Player of the Year (Four Broncos Memorial Trophy)

Eastern Conference: Dryden Hunt (Nelson, B.C.), Moose Jaw Warriors

Western Conference: Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C.), Victoria Royals

The following individual and team awards were won during the 2015-16 WHL regular season:

Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy

Victoria Royals (50-16-3-3)

Top Scorer (Bob Clarke Trophy)

Adam Brooks (Winnipeg), Regina Pats (38 goals, 82 assists, 120 points)

Plus-Minus Award

Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings (plus-64)

WHL CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Goaltender — Zachary Sawchenko (Calgary), Moose Jaw Warriors; Defencemen — Ivan Provorov (Yaroslavl, Russia), Brandon Wheat Kings, Andrew Nielsen (Red Deer, Alta.), Lethbridge Hurricanes; Forwards — Dryden Hunt (Nelson, B.C.), Moose Jaw Warriors, Brayden Point (Calgary), Moose Jaw Warriors, Adam Brooks (Winnipeg), Regina Pats

EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM

Goaltender — Rylan Parenteau (Saskatoon), Prince Albert Raiders; Defencemen — Jake Bean (Calgary), Calgary Hitmen, Travis Sanheim (Elkhorn), Calgary Hitmen; Forwards — Brayden Burke (Edmonton), Lethbridge Hurricanes, Nolan Patrick (Winnipeg), Brandon Wheat Kings, Jayce Hawryluk (Roblin), Brandon Wheat Kings

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Goaltender — Carter Hart (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Everett Silvertips; Defencemen — Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C.), Victoria Royals, Ethan Bear (Ochapowace, Sask.), Seattle Thunderbirds; Forwards — Tyson Baillie (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.), Kelowna Rockets, Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam, B.C.), Seattle Thunderbirds, Parker Bowles (Kelowna, B.C.), Tri-City Americans

WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM

Goaltender — Connor Ingram (Imperial, Sask.), Kamloops Blazers; Defencemen — Noah Juulsen (Abbotsford, B.C.), Everett Silvertips, Jason Fram (South Delta, B.C.), Spokane Chiefs; Forwards — Tyler Soy (Cloverdale, B.C.), Victoria Royals, Chase Witala (Prince George, B.C.), Prince George Cougars, Collin Shirley (Saskatoon), Kamloops Blazers