CHIEFS’ YAMAMOTO NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Spokane Chiefs forward Kailer Yamamoto has been named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending December 20th, 2015.
Yamamoto recorded seven points (4g-3a) in three games along with a plus-four rating to help Spokane to a 1-1-1-0 week.
On Wednesday, December 16th against Everett, Yamamoto was named the game’s second star as he picked up a pair of goals and an assist as the Chiefs fell to the Silvertips. On Friday, December 18th, Yamamoto assisted on the game-tying goal as Spokane fell to Portland in overtime. The following night, Yamamoto capped off a strong week with two goals, including the overtime winner, and an assist en route to a 5-4 win over the Winterhawks and being named the game’s second star.
The 17-year-old Spokane, WA native has amassed 48 points (14g-34a) and a plus-14 rating through 34 games so far this season. In his young WHL career, Yamamoto has registered 105 points (37g-68a) in 102 regular season contests. Last April, Yamamoto was named a finalist for the 2014-15 Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Rookie of the Year.
The WHL has also nominated Nick Schneider of the Medicine Hat Tigers for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Schneider, a 1997-born netminder from Leduc, AB, posted a record of 2-1-0-0 with a 1.18 goals against average and a .958 save percentage. On Tuesday, December 15th, Schneider turned aside 25 shots to claim first star honours in the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings. On Friday, December 18th against the Calgary Hitmen, Schneider was solid as he made 19 saves to earn the second star of the game in the Tigers’ 2-0 defeat. The following night, Schneider came on in relief and stopped 25 of 26 shots to lead the Tigers to a 7-5 win over the Hitmen.
Currently in his fourth season with Medicine Hat, the Calgary Flames prospect has amassed a 30-21-1-2 record in 64 games with a 2.93 goals against average and an .896 save percentage.
WHL Player of the Week
Sept. 24 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg, Victoria Royals
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Reid Gardiner, Prince Albert Raiders
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Brayden Point, Moose Jaw Warriors
Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Jon Martin, Swift Current Broncos
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Jesse Gabrielle, Prince George Cougars
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Jackson Houck, Calgary Hitmen
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Tyson Baillie, Kelowna Rockets
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Justin Gutierrez, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Rihards Bukarts, Portland Winterhawks
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs
Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week (WHL Nominee)
Sept. 24 – Sept. 27: Landon Bow, Swift Current Broncos
Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Coleman Vollrath, Victoria Royals
Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath, Victoria Royals
Oct. 12 – Oct 18: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raider
Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill, Portland Winterhawks
Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Adin Hill, Portland Winterhawks
Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Landon Bow, Swift Current Broncos
Nov. 9 – Nov. 15: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips
Nov. 16 – Nov. 22: Declan Hobbs, Kootenay ICE
Nov. 23 – Nov. 29: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips
Nov. 30 – Dec. 6: Ty Edmonds, Prince George Cougars
Dec. 7 – Dec. 13: Connor Ingram, Kamloops Blazers
Dec. 14 – Dec. 20: Nick Schneider, Medicine Hat Tigers
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