Two Eastern Conference performers are the first recipients of W-H-L weekly salutes.

Winnipeg forward Owen Pederson is the top skater after posting three goals amongst six points as the ICE swept a home-and-home series from Brandon on opening weekend. Plus, Swift Current’s Isaac Poulter is the league’s goaltender-of-the-week after allowing just two goals in the Broncos’ sweep of Medicine Hat in a home-and-home, season-opening series. One of the wins was a 20-save shutout back on Friday. Following is the news release from the W-H-L…..

ICE FORWARD PEDERSON NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Winnipeg ICE forward Owen Pederson has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 3, 2021.

Pederson, a 19-year-old product of Stony Plain, Alta., recorded six points (3G-3A) in two games this past week as the ICE posted a pair of victories over their provincial rivals, the Brandon Wheat Kings.

On Friday, October 1, the veteran left winger put up two points (1G-1A), and registered a team-leading nine shots on goal as Winnipeg skated to a 10-2 victory over Brandon at Westoba Place.

Saturday, October 2, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward enjoyed a four-point night (2G-2A), scoring the game-winning goal on a power play 6:19 into the second period as the ICE posted a 7-1 victory in their home opener.

Pederson finished the weekend as the early leader in the WHL scoring race, one point better than a trio of players including Winnipeg teammate Mikey Milne.

Dating back to the 2020-21 WHL season, Pederson has recorded points in 14 of his last 16 games.

Pederson was originally selected by the ICE in the fifth round (89th overall) of the 2017 WHL Draft. In 124 career WHL regular season games, he has collected 94 points (48G-46A).

Pederson and the Winnipeg ICE go in search of a third straight victory to start the 2021-22 campaign when they host the Regina Pats Wednesday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. CT at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

BRONCOS NETMINDER POULTER NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Swift Current Broncos netminder Isaac Poulter has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 3, 2021.

Poulter, a 20-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., posted a 2-0-0-0 record to go along with a 1.00 goals-against average, 0.961 save percentage and one shutout in a pair of contests against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

On Friday, October 1, Poulter became the first Broncos goaltender to record a shutout on home ice since Joel Hofer in January of 2019, turning aside all 20 shots he faced in a 2-0 Swift Current win.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound puck-stopper followed that up with a 29-save performance Saturday, October 2 in Medicine Hat, as the Broncos skated away with a 3-2 win.

Poulter was awarded First Star honours in both Swift Current victories.

Poulter was originally selected by the Broncos in the sixth round (112th overall) of the 2016 WHL Draft. In 90 career WHL regular season games, all with Swift Current, he has amassed 17 victories, two by shutout, and a 0.893 goals-against average.

The Broncos continue their 2021-22 campaign on home ice Tuesday, October 5, when they host the Red Deer Rebels at 7:00 p.m MT.