WHEAT KINGS FORWARD MCCARTNEY NAMED WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK PRESENTED BY JOURNIE REWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Brandon Wheat Kings forward Ben McCartney has been named WHL Player of the Week presented by Journie Rewards for the week ending April 18, 2021.

McCartney, a 19-year-old product of Macdonald, Man., recorded 12 points (4G-8A) in four games this past week as the Wheat Kings went 4-0-0-0, surging to the top of the East Division standings in the WHL’s Subway Hub Centre in Regina.

On Tuesday, April 13, the prospect of the Arizona Coyotes recorded two secondary assists in an 8-3 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Wednesday, April 14, the 6-foot, 185-pound left winger secured his first-career WHL hat trick in a 5-3 win over the Winnipeg ICE. McCartney scored the final three goals of the game for the Wheat Kings – including the game-winner midway through the third period and the insurance marker into an empty net late in the proceedings. He was named first star of the game.

On Friday, April 17, McCartney enjoyed his third consecutive multi-point performance by posting three points (1G-2A) in a 4-1 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. McCartney’s second period tally stood up as the eventual game-winner, and he added primary assists on the Wheat Kings’ first and last goals of the game for good measure. He was named first star of the game

Rounding out the weekend on Sunday, April 18, McCartney earned the second four-point performance of his WHL career by handing out four assists in a 5-4 overtime victory over the Winnipeg ICE. The feisty forward setup defenceman Braden Schneider for the overtime winner, and added three secondary assists throughout regulation. He was named third star of the game

Through 20 games of the 2020-21 WHL season, McCartney leads the Wheat Kings and sits second in WHL scoring with 31 points (12G-19A). He trails Winnipeg ICE forward Peyton Krebs, who sits atop the WHL scoring charts with 35 points (10G-25A). McCartney’s 12 goals and 19 assists are both tied for third in the WHL.
Dating back to April 9, McCartney is enjoying a six-game point streak. He has also found his way onto the scoresheet in 18 of 20 games this season.

McCartney was originally selected by the Wheat Kings in the second round (43rd overall0 of the 2016 WHL Draft. In 201 career WHL regular season games, he has tallied 145 points (60G-85A), adding another seven points (2G-5A) in 14 career WHL post-season outings.

The Arizona Coyotes selected McCartney in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

McCartney and the Wheat Kings will return to action in the WHL’s Subway Hub Centre on Wednesday, April 21 at 4 p.m. MT when they take on the Swift Current Broncos.

BLADES GOALTENDER MAIER NAMED
WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Saskatoon Blades goaltender Nolan Maier has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending April 18, 2021.

Maier, a 20-year-old product of Yorkton, Sask., was solid in two outings, going 1-0-0-1 with a 0.96 goals-against average, 0.969 save percentage and one shutout this past week in the WHL’s Subway Hub Centre in Regina.

On Wednesday, April 14, Maier was perfect as he turned aside all 27 shots sent his way in a 3-0 triumph over the Swift Current Broncos.

The 6-foot, 173-pound puckstopper followed up with an admirable performance on Saturday, April 17, blocking 35 of 37 shots sent his way, plus two more in the shootout, as the Blades fell to the Broncos by a narrow 3-2 margin.

Maier has appeared in 13 games this season, going 10-1-1-1 with a 2.06 GAA, .923 SV% and two shutouts. Maier’s 2.06 GAA sits fourth in the WHL, while his 10 victories are tied for second. His two shutouts are tied for third in the WHL.

Over the course of 152 career WHL regular season games, Maier is 89-47-9-5 with a 2.91 GAA, .903 SV%, and nine shutouts. On Wednesday, March 31, he recorded his 86th career victory, surpassing Tim Cheveldae (85 wins; 1985-1988) as the Blades’ all-time franchise leader for wins.

Maier and the Blades take on the Regina Pats on Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. MT in the WHL’s Subway Hub Centre in Regina.