Brayden Yager named WHL’s most sportsmanlike player
Brayden Yager isn’t just a top prospect.
He’s a top sportsman, too.
Yager, No. 7 in FCHockey’s Midterm ranking for the 2023 NHL Draft, has been awarded the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as the Western Hockey League’s most sportsmanlike player for the 2022-23 season. He netted a WHL career-high 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) for the Moose Jaw Warriors this season, and collected just 14 minutes in penalties in his 67 games played.
“Brad Hornung will always be remembered as an ambassador for the WHL, for sportsmanship, for positivity regardless of the circumstances,” Yager said in a release. “Congratulations to my fellow nominees for their own successes and commitment to sportsmanship.
“I thank my family for raising me to play the right way, to compete my hardest between the whistles, but to make sure I treat my opponents with respect. I want to express my appreciation for my entire team’s support in my attempts to have a positive impact in the outcome of our games. I am honoured to be acknowledged for my efforts to contribute to my team’s success, while playing with discipline and self-control.”
The 17-year-old bested Caedan Bankier the Kamloops Blazers, Andrew Basha of the Medicine Hat Tigers, and Gabe Klassen of the Portland Winterhawks for the award.
He joins Logan Stankoven (2022) and Seth Jarvis (2019) as recent winners.