The W-H-L has started doling out its 2021 league-wide award winners, and it was an obvious one based on statistics, announcing that Winnipeg captain Peyton Krebs is the Bob Clarke trophy recipient as leading scorer.
A first round pick of the N-H-L’s Vegas Golden Knights in 2019, the ICE forward posted 43 points, including 13 goals, during the 24-game Regina “Dubble.”
In addition, a second award winner was named late Monday afternoon. Spokane captain Eli Zummack was named the winner of the Brad Hornung Trophy as the W-H-L’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. The 21-year-old had just four penalty minutes while racking up 22 points, including nine goals, 21 games. Saskatoon Blades’ forward Kyle Crnkovic was the East Division nominee.
Following are the news releases from the W-H-L…..
ICE CAPTAIN KREBS WINS BOB CLARKE TROPHY
AS 2020-21 WHL TOP SCORER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Winnipeg ICE captain Peyton Krebs (Okotoks, Alta.) has won the Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL Top Scorer presented by Kubota Canada Ltd.
The Vegas Golden Knights prospect totalled 43 points (13G-30A) in 24 games played during the 2020-21 WHL season, finding the scoresheet in all but one of his outings as he set a new ICE franchise record by recording a 23-game point streak. In addition to his league-leading assist and point totals, Krebs finished second among WHL skaters in power-play goals (eight) and tied for fourth in power-play assists (13).
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward enjoyed 13 multi-point games from his 24 appearances during the 2020-21 WHL regular season, including a pair of four game multi-point streaks from March 23 through March 28 (3G-8A) and April 18 – April 23, 2021 (4G-6A). He put up three or more points five times, including a pair of four-point outings April 7 and April 18, 2021.
Division rival, and Arizona Coyotes prospect Ben McCartney of the Brandon Wheat Kings finished second in WHL scoring with 37 points (13G-24A).
The product of Okotoks, Alta. is the first member of the ICE franchise to win the Bob Clarke Trophy, and the fourth East Division skater to claim the award in the past six seasons. Moose Jaw Warriors forward Jayden Halbgewachs won the trophy as league scoring champion during the 2017-18 WHL season, while Regina Pats teammates Adam Brooks and Sam Steel were back-to-back victors in 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively.
“Kubota Canada is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor for the WHL 2020-21 Top Scorer award. Even though the season was abbreviated, we saw some great performances this season and it gives me great pleasure on behalf of Kubota’s employees and the Kubota dealers across Canada to congratulate Peyton Krebs as this year’s WHL Top Scorer!,” said Catherine O’Brien, Brand Manager for Kubota Canada Ltd. “Well done, Peyton!”
Krebs has been a premier WHL talent since recording an assist in his debut November 16, 2016. In 199 WHL regular season games, he has amassed 231 points (62G-169A), including 26 power-play goals, two short-handed goals and 14 game-winning goals. The ICE originally selected Krebs with the first overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. He was selected in the first round, 17th overall, by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
The Bob Clarke Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL’s Top Scorer, is named after the WHL and NHL legend known to many as one of the toughest and most skilled to ever play the game. Clarke played two seasons in the WHL and captured the WHL scoring title in both those campaigns. The 1967-68 WHL season saw Clarke collect an astounding 168 points (51G-117A) in 59 appearances. During the 1968-69 season, Clarke registered 137 points (51G-86A) in only 58 games as he helped his hometown Flin Flon Bombers claim the 1969 WHL Championship.
From there, the product of Flin Flon, Man., went on to play 15 NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, including captaining the Club to two Stanley Cup Championships. He was awarded the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP on three occasions and was named an NHL All-Star four times.
Winners of the Bob Clarke Trophy / WHL Top Scorer (since 2001)
2020-21 Peyton Krebs, Winnipeg ICE
2019-20 Adam Beckman, Spokane Chiefs
2018-19 Joachim Blichfeld, Portland Winterhawks
2017-18 Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors *
2016-17 Sam Steel, Regina Pats*
2015-16 Adam Brooks, Regina Pats
2014-15 Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
2013-14 Mitch Holmberg, Spokane Chiefs
2012-13 Brendan Leipsic / Nicolas Petan, Portland Winterhawks (tie) *
2011-12 Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans
2010-11 Linden Vey, Medicine Hat Tigers *
2009-10 Brandon Kozun, Calgary Hitmen *
2008-09 Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Vancouver Giants
2007-08 Mark Santorelli, Chilliwack Bruins
2006-07 Zach Hamill, Everett Silvertips
2005-06 Troy Brouwer, Moose Jaw Warriors
2004-05 Eric Fehr, Brandon Wheat Kings
2003-04 Tyler Redenbach, Swift Current Broncos
2002-03 Erik Christensen, Kamloops Blazers
2001-02 Nathan Barrett, Lethbridge Hurricanes
2000-01 Justin Mapletoft, Red Deer Rebels
* Also won CHL Top Scorer Award
CHIEFS CAPTAIN ZUMMACK WINS BRAD HORNUNG TROPHY AS 2020-21 WHL MOST SPORTSMANLIKE PLAYER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Spokane Chiefs captain Eli Zummack (Kelowna, B.C.) has won the Brad Hornung Trophy as WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
The 21-year-old finished second in Chiefs scoring with 22 points (9G-13A), leading the team in assists and short-handed goals (two), all while registering only four minutes in penalties.
The 5-foot-9, 178-pound forward totalled 13 points (5G-8A) during a six-game point streak from April 4 through April 14, 2021, highlighted by a four-point game April 13, 2021. Zummack added a second four-point effort April 28, 2021, his second multi-goal game of the 2020-21 WHL season.
Zummack is the second U.S. Division skater in as many seasons to win the Brad Hornung Trophy, after Carolina Hurricanes prospect Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks) claimed the award during the 2019-20 campaign. Overall, Zummack becomes the fourth Chief to win the Brad Hornung Trophy, following in the footsteps of forwards Tyler Johnson (2010-11), Steve Junker (1991-92) and Pat Falloon (1990-91).
Zummack has totalled 239 points (70G-169A) in 254 WHL regular season games, adding 19 more points (6G-13A) in 22 playoff appearances. He graduates from the WHL having spent his entire career with the Chiefs, who originally selected the Kelowna, B.C. product in the second round, 36th overall, in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.
Noted for his talent, desire and sportsmanlike attitude, Brad Hornung is revered in Western Canadian hockey circles. The Brad Hornung Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player is awarded annually to the player that best combines those same attributes.
A rising star for the Regina Pats, Hornung’s career was cut short after the forward was paralyzed from the waist down following a hit in a game on March 1, 1987.
Since then, Hornung’s courageous attitude and inspirational message of perseverance has kept his connection with the game of hockey strong. A former amateur scout for the Chicago Blackhawks, Hornung has become a staple in hockey rinks throughout Saskatchewan. His No. 8 jersey has been retired by the Pats.
Winners of the Brad Hornung Trophy / WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player Award (since 2001)
2020-21 Eli Zummack, Spokane Chiefs
2019-20 Seth Jarvis, Portland Winterhawks
2018-19 Justin Almeida, Moose Jaw Warriors *
2017-18 Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos *
2016-17 Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos
2015-16 Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals
2014-15 Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets *
2013-14 Sam Reinhart, Kootenay ICE *
2012-13 Dylan Wruck, Edmonton Oil Kings
2011-12 Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings
2010-11 Tyler Johnson, Spokane Chiefs
2009-10 Jason Bast, Moose Jaw Warriors *
2008-09 Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat Tigers
2007-08 Tyler Ennis, Medicine Hat Tigers
2006-07 Aaron Gagnon, Seattle Thunderbirds
2005-06 Kris Russell, Medicine Hat Tigers *
2004-05 Kris Russell, Medicine Hat Tigers
2003-04 Nigel Dawes, Kootenay ICE
2002-03 Boyd Gordon, Red Deer Rebels
2001-02 Ian White, Swift Current Broncos
2000-01 Matt Kinch, Calgary Hitmen
* Denotes CHL Sportsman of the Year recipient
