The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The 2010 WHL Awards Luncheon is fast approaching. The event, held annually to recognize the WHL's best performers from the regular season, will be held in Edmonton, AB, at the Fantasyland Hotel's Beverly Hills Ballroom on Wednesday, April 28th. It's the second straight year the WHL Awards Luncheon will be held in Edmonton in partnership with the Oil Kings. The list of nominees for hardware at the 2010 WHL Awards Luncheon is an impressive one, as many players and team personnel enjoyed terrific success during the 2009-10 WHL season. Topping the list of nominees are the two outstanding finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, given to the WHL's Player of the Year. The WHL Eastern Conference finalist is Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats, while the WHL Western Conference finalist is Vancouver Giants' star Craig Cunningham. Eberle is coming off one of the most impressive performances in a WHL regular season in recent memory. The 19-year-old Regina, SK, native scored a whopping 50 goals and 106 points in just 57 regular-season games. Even though his Pats missed the post-season, Eberle's strong performance drew rave reviews from fans, players and coaches alike. Eberle's 1.86 points-per-game average is the highest for any WHL player since the 1998-99 season. Cunningham also enjoyed a stellar campaign for the Giants. The 19-year-old from Trail, B.C. put up 37 goals and 97 points in 72 games while leading the Giants to their fifth consecutive B.C. Division regular-season title. His 97 points placed him sixth in the WHL scoring race, while his 60 assists ranked fifth among all WHL players. Cunningham also suited up for Team WHL at the 2009 SUBWAY Super Series. Among other 2010 WHL Awards nominees are the two finalists Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for the WHL Rookie of the Year. Both Red Deer's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kelowna's Shane McColgan enjoyed impressive seasons as 16-year-old rookies in 2009-10. Meanwhile, the 2010 WHL Awards Luncheon will also see the presentation of the Bob Clarke Trophy for the WHL's regular-season scoring leader to Calgary Hitmen star Brandon Kozun. The Calgary, AB, product and Los Angeles Kings prospect led the WHL in scoring with 107 points on 32 goals and 75 assists in 65 games during the 2009-10 WHL regular season, and became the first WHL player to post back-to-back 100-point seasons since Layne Ulmer of the Swift Current Broncos accomplished the feat in 1999-00 and 2000-01. Over the years, the WHL has presented awards to many players who have gone on to stardom in the NHL and in international play. Past winners of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy include current NHL stars Cam Ward (Red Deer Rebels, 2003-04), Dan Hamhuis (Prince George Cougars, 2001-02) and Jarome Iginla (Kamloops Blazers, 1995-96), and NHL legends such as Joe Sakic (Swift Current Broncos, 1986-87 & 1987-88), Mike Vernon (Calgary Wranglers, 1981-82 & 1982-83), Bryan Trottier (Lethbridge Broncos, 1974-75) and Bobby Clarke (Flin Flon Bombers, 1968-69).
