Warriors Blueliner Justin Schultz Wins Interior?s Top Defenseman
For the second straight year Westside Warriors defenseman Justin Schultz has been named the best defenseman in the BC Hockey League's Interior Conference.
Schultz, 18, has been a dominating force in his second season with the Warriors. He was the only BCHL defenseman to average a point per game with 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 49 games.
Schultz was also nominated or Interior Conference Most Valuable Player but lost out to Salmon Arm?s Mark Zengerle. The BCHL announced its awards earlier this week.
Since scoring in his first ever Westside Warriors game as a 16-year-old affiliate player, Schultz has provided highlight after highlight for Warriors fans. Last year as a rookie he had 40 points and was named the Interior?s top defenseman.
He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks( 2nd round) in last summer?s NHL Entry Draft and will attend NCAA Div I school the University of Wisconsin on a full scholarship next year.
?Justin has been a treat to have as a member of the Westside Warriors,? sad Warriors coach/GM Mark Howell. ?He has been fun to watch and will be a key to our success in the upcoming playoffs.?
The Warriors open the first round of the BCHL playoffs with a best of five series against Trail. Games one and two are this Friday and Saturday at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna.
The Warriors also handed out its team awards this week as well and Schultz claimed the team Most Valuable Player and the fan favourite award as well as sharing the best defenseman award with Cory Pritz.
Other awards handed out were:
Coach?s Award Trevor Bailey
Best All Around Player Trevor Bailey, Kevin Jebson
Heart and Soul Ron Kelly
Top Scorer Chad Gehon
Rookie of the Year Kyle Singleton
