Rebels 1st Overall Selection at WHL Bantam Draft Wins Prestigious Award

RED DEER, AB – Brent Sutter, President/Owner, of the Red Deer Rebels Hockey Club is proud to announce that prospect Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the winner of the 2008 Minor Hockey Player Achievement Award. The honor is handed out annually to a B.C. Amateur Hockey Association player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, and hockey skill.
r
rAs a 15-year-old (born April 12, 1993), Nugent-Hopkins already has an extraordinary list of hockey credentials. The Burnaby-native’s most recent on-ice accomplishments include captaining the Burnaby Winter Club Bantam AAA team to the Western Canadian Bantam championship final (his team won it in 2007), winning the MVP and top scorer awards at this year’s Westerns, and being named one of the final 47 players selected to attend the 2008 BC Hockey U-17 Provincial Development Camp. In 66 games this season, Nugent-Hopkins had 119 goals and 214 points and was a plus-129.
r
rThe 5-10, 145-pound centre was selected first overall by the Red Deer Rebels in this year’s WHL Bantam Draft and will play for the North West Giants of the B.C. Major Midget League next season.
r
rOff the ice, he has maintained a B average in his Grade 9 academics at Burnaby North Secondary School, where he is also a member of the school’s hockey academy. In both school and sport, Nugent-Hopkins has been commended for his humility, work ethic, and maturity beyond his years.
r
rHe will formally receive his award next month at the BC Hockey Hall of Fame awards ceremony in Penticton, July 25.
r
rThe Hockey Now Minor Hockey Player Achievement Award was established in 2000 when it was won by former Rebel Colin Fraser now playing with the AHL Rockford IceHogs. This season, Fraser was called up for five NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks.
r
rOther past winners include Tyler Burton (2001), now with the AHL Lowell Devils Brock Bradford (co-winner 2002) now at Boston College of the NCAA, Gilbert Brule (co-winner 2002) now with the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, Karl Alzner (2003) Calgary Hitmen captain expected to join the NHL Washington Capitals next year, Dustin Sylvester (2004) now with the WHL Kootenay Ice, Geordie Wudrick (2005) now with the WHL Swift Current Broncos, Stefan Elliot (2006) now with the WHL Saskatoon Blades, and Kevin Sundher (2007) who will join the WHL Chilliwack Bruins this coming season.
r