The Western Hockey League has announced its all-star teams for all four Divisions. With six players from each division being chosen by the WHL’s general managers, a total of 24 young men earned all-star nods.
Of the 24 selected, three hail from Manitoba, while two play for Manitoba-based WHL teams. Manitobans earning all-star selections include Mcdonald’s Ben McCartney (Brandon Wheat Kings), Brandon’s Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants) and Winnipeg’s Nick Cicek (Portland Winterhawks). Brandon Wheat Kings captain Braden Schneider and Winnipeg ICE captain Peyton Krebs also found their way onto the East Division’s all-star team.
WHL East Division All–Star Team
Goaltender – Nolan Maier (Yorkton, Sask.) – Saskatoon Blades
Defenceman – Ryker Evans (Calgary, Alta.) – Regina Pats
Defenceman – Braden Schneider (Prince Albert, Sask.) – Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward – Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Regina Pats
Forward – Peyton Krebs (Okotoks, Alta.) – Winnipeg ICE
Forward – Ben McCartney (Macdonald, Man.) – Brandon Wheat Kings
WHL Central Division All–Star Team
Goaltender – Sebastian Cossa (Fort McMurray, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
Defenceman – Cole Clayton (Strathmore, Alta.) – Medicine Hat Tigers
Defenceman – Matthew Robertson (Sherwood Park, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
Forward – Dylan Guenther (Edmonton, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
Forward – Brett Kemp (Yorkton, Sask.) – Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward – Jake Neighbours (Airdrie, Alta.) – Edmonton Oil Kings
WHL B.C. Division All–Star Team
Goaltender – Trent Miner (Brandon. Man.) – Vancouver Giants
Defenceman – Alex Kannok-Leipert (Regina, Sask.) – Vancouver Giants
Defenceman – Kaedan Korczak (Yorkton, Sask.) – Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Tristen Nielsen (Fort St. John, B.C.) – Vancouver Giants
Forward – Justin Sourdif (Surrey, B.C.) – Vancouver Giants
Forward – Connor Zary (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Kamloops Blazers
WHL U.S. Division All–Star Team
Goaltender – Dustin Wolf (Gilroy, Calif.) – Everett Silvertips
Defenceman – Nick Cicek (Winnipeg, Man.) – Portland Winterhawks
Defenceman – Ronan Seeley (Olds, Alta.) – Everett Silvertips
Forward – Cole Fonstad (Estevan, Sask.) – Everett Silvertips
Forward – Gage Goncalves (Mission, B.C.) – Everett Silvertips
Forward – Simon Knak (Zurich, Switzerland) – Portland Winterhawks
From the WHL:
Defenceman Braden Schneider (Brandon Wheat Kings): The 19-year-old product of Prince Albert, Sask. led the Wheat Kings from the blue line, totalling 27 points (5G-22A) in 22 games to finish third in scoring among WHL blueliners, and his 15 power-play assists were second-best in the WHL. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenceman finished tied for sixth among WHL skaters in assists. The New York Rangers prospect has recorded 115 points (21G-94A) in 207 WHL regular season games and is currently competing for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia.
Forward Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg ICE): The 20-year-old ICE captain led the WHL in both assists (30) and points (43), setting a franchise record by recording points in 23 consecutive games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound product of Okotoks, Alta. had five games in which he recorded three or more points during the 2020-21 season. The first-overall selection from the 2016 WHL Draft and Vegas Golden Knights prospect has tallied 231 points (62G-169A) in 199 WHL regular season games.
Forward Ben McCartney (Brandon Wheat Kings): Recording 37 points (13G-24A) in 24 games, the 19-year-old McCartney helped pace the Wheat Kings to the East Division title. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound left winger from finished second in WHL scoring and tied for the league lead in game-winning goals with four. The Arizona Coyotes prospect from Macdonald, Man. has tallied 151 points (61G-90A) in 205 WHL regular season games.
Goaltender Trent Miner (Vancouver Giants): Miner was solid as a rock between the pipes for the Giants, finishing fourth among WHL goaltenders in goals-against average (2.16) while sporting a 7-8-0-0 record. The 20-year-old Brandon, Man. product finished the season with four shutouts, giving him a share of the top mark in the WHL, all while setting the Giants franchise record shutout minutes streak at 234 minutes and 31 seconds. The 6-foot-0, 179-pound Colorado Avalanche prospect holds a career 48-28-3-2 record, 2.49 GAA, 0.910 SV%, and eight shutouts in 84 career WHL regular season appearances.
Defenceman Nick Cicek (Portland Winterhawks): The 21-year-old Winterhawks captain set career highs in goals, assists and points during the 2020-21 WHL season, registering 21 points (5G, 16A) from 24 games played. A 6-foot-3, 201-pound product of Winnipeg, Man., Cicek led all U.S. division blueliners in scoring. Cicek graduates from the WHL having recorded 48 points (9G-39A) in 138 WHL regular season games.
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