Image Credit: Western Hockey League
By James Peters
Blazer Hockey

Blazers’ Zellweger named WHL’s top defenceman

May 9, 2023 | 1:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Blazers’ star Olen Zellweger has been named the Western Hockey League’s Defenceman of the Year.

The league announced Zellweger as the winner of its Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Tuesday (May 9), marking the second straight year he has taken the award.

Zellweger finished the regular season with 32 goals and 80 points, splitting his time between the Blazers and Everett Silvertips.

Zellweger is the first Blazer to be named the league’s top defenceman since 2000 and the fifth overall, joining:

  • Greg Hawgood (1987-88)
  • Darryl Sydor (1990-91)
  • Nolan Baumgartner (1994-95 and 1995-96)
  • Micki DuPont (1999-2000)
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“I want to thank the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, my teammates, coaching staff, parents and everyone who supported me this season. Without them, it would not have been possible,” said Zellweger in a news release.

The other finalists for the award this season were Christoffer Sedoff (Red Deer Rebels), Stanislav Svozil (Regina Pats) and Kevin Korchinski (Seattle Thunderbirds).

by James Peters

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