Chiefs dominate conference awards

The Spokane Chiefs dominated the Western Conference awards the Western Hockey League announced on Wednesday. Read on.

Forward Tyler Johnson, defenseman Jared Cowen and goaltender James Reid are all first-team all-stars with defenseman Brenden Kichton on the second team.

The finalists for league-wide awards include Don Nachbaur for Coach of the Year, Reid for Goaltender of the Year and Johnson for Most Sportsmanlike. The WHL awards, including Player of the Year, will be announced May 4 in Calgary.

Eastern Conference awards are announced on Thursday. T

WHL Western Conference All-Stars

First team
Goaltender – James Reid (Calgary, AB), Spokane Chiefs
Defenseman – Tyson Barrie (Victoria, BC), Kelowna Rockets
Defenseman – Jared Cowen (Allan, SK), Spokane Chiefs
Forward – Brendan Gallagher (Delta, BC), Vancouver Giants
Forward – Tyler Johnson (Spokane, WA), Spokane Chiefs
Forward – Ryan Johansen (Port Moody, BC), Portland Winterhawks

Second team

Goaltender – Calvin Pickard (Winnipeg, MB), Seattle Thunderbirds
Defenceman – Brenden Kichton (Spruce Grove, AB), Spokane Chiefs
Defenceman – Ryan Murray (White City, SK), Everett Silvertips

Forward – Brendan Shinnimin (Winnipeg, MB), Tri-City Americans

Forward – Brendan Ranford (Edmonton, AB), Kamloops Blazers

Forward – Ryan Howse (Prince George, BC), Chilliwack Bruins

Western Conference finalists:

Rookie of the Year: Sven Bartschi (Langenthal, SUI), Portland Winterhawks
Goaltender of the Year: James Reid (Calgary, AB), Spokane Chiefs

Defenseman of the Year: Tyson Barrie (Victoria, BC), Kelowna Rockets

Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year: Tyler Johnson (Spokane, WA), Spokane Chiefs

Scholastic Player of the Year: Colin Smith (Edmonton, AB), Kamloops Blazers
C oach of the Year: Don Nachbaur, Spokane Chiefs

Executive of the Year: Mike Johnston, Portland Winterhawks

Humanitarian of the Year: Jeff Einhorn (Red Deer, AB), Chilliwack Bruins
WHL Marketing / Public Relations Award: Tri-City Americans, Brian Sandy