CALGARY -- As the NHL entry draft approaches, Sam Reinharts stock keeps rising. Corey Linsley Jersey . The Kootenay Ice captain won the Western Hockey Leagues player-of-the-year award Wednesday. The leagues general managers and coaches voted for Reinhart over Western Conference finalist Mitch Holmberg, a 62-goal scorer for the Spokane Chiefs. Reinhart set a franchise record for assists in a season with 69 and, combined with 36 goals in 60 games, the 18-year-old from Vancouver tied for fourth in WHL scoring. But the son of former NHL defenceman Paul Reinhart was a stellar two-way player for the Ice with a plus-24 rating. He posted a torrid 48 points in 22 games from Dec. 4 to Feb. 28. Central Scouting ranks Reinhart third among North American skaters for the NHL draft, up from fourth in Januarys midterm rankings. The Four Broncos Trophy that goes to the player of the year is given in memory of four Swift Current Broncos who died in a team bus crash in 1986. Reinhart, six foot one and 186 pounds, also earned the WHLs sportsmanlike award for his paltry 11 minutes in penalties. "Both of those awards say a lot about his character," Ice coach Ryan McGill said. "Mitch Holmberg is one heck of a player, but Sam is the complete package. He is the smartest player in the Western Hockey League not only with the puck, but without the puck." Reinharts brother Griffin is an Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman who was drafted fourth overall by the New York Islanders two years ago. Another brother Max is a Calgary Flames prospect currently playing in the AHL. Sam and Griffin both played for the Canadian team that finished fourth in the world junior hockey championship in Malmo, Sweden, in January. Sam was a dominant player upon his return to the Ice. "It was a good year individually and as a team," Sam said. "I think our depth really showed in the second half and ultimately made it easier on me to produce offensively." The Ice were eliminated in the second round of playoffs in a seven-game series with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Reinhart had six goals and 17 assists in 13 playoff game. Hes begun preparing for the NHL combine May 25-31 in Toronto. Reinhart intends to play in the NHL next season. "Im confident in my abilities right now to do that," he said. "I learned a lot this year, played in a lot of situations. I think thats only going to benefit me down the road. "Im excited for it and Im ultimately preparing for training camp in September where ever that may be." Holmberg, a 21-year-old winger from Sherwood Park, Alta., won the WHLs scoring trophy. Hes only the second player to score over 60 goals in a season in the last 13 years. Holmberg spent his entire five-year career with the Spokane Chiefs and recently joined the Bakersfield Condors for the ECHL playoffs. The Kelowna Rockets picked up a pair of major player trophies with Jordon Cooke named the seasons best goalie and centre Nick Merkley taking the rookie award. The 16-year-old Merkley, from Calgary, compiled 25 goals and 33 assists in 66 games. Cooke posted a 39-7-0-4 record with four shutouts. The 20-year-old from Leduc, Alta., had a 2.28 goals-against average and a save percentage of .922. Derek Pouliot of the Portland Winterhawks was chosen top defenceman. The 19-year-old from Weyburn, Sask., contributed 19 goals and 53 assists in 58 games and posted a plus-minus of plus-40. Pouliot is a first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Victoria Royals swept the hockey management awards with former NHL winger Dave Lowry taking the coaching award and general manager Cam Hope named executive of the year. The Royals finished third overall in the Western Conference with a 48-20-1-3 record. Saskatoon Blades defenceman Nelson Nogier earned the scholastic award with a 96 per cent average in his Grade 11 studies, while the Calgary Hitmen took team scholastic honours. Moose Jaw Warriors captain Sam Fioretti was given the humanitarian award for his work in anti-bullying and reading programs. Nathan Wieler from Regina was chosen the WHLs top official. Prior to the awards luncheon, the WHLs board of governors approved the sale of the Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars to new owners. The Cougars ownership group includes local businessmen as well as alumni and NHL players Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer. "Its great to have WHL alumni like Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer, both former Prince George Cougars, who will do a great job," WHL commissioner Ron Robson said. "These guys are not just there because of their names. Theyre there because they want to contribute and be actively involved and thats great news for us." A group of Regina businessmen headed by Anthony Marquart takes over the Pats from Russ and Diane Parker, who have owned the team for 19 seasons. Both sales are expected to be finalized next month. Robson says the WHL has taken a hands-on role with the struggling Lethbridge Hurricanes, who have been losing games, money and attendance in recent years. Some players left the community-owned team during the season and an assistant coach is reportedly suing the team for wrongful dismissal. The league is working with the club on a new business plan. "Weve set out some conditions of approval of that business plan of which we want to see some changes immediately," Robson said. "One is certainly improving the financial performance of the franchise and probably most important is making sure the on-ice performance of the team is going in the right direction. "Theres not a team thats not going to be impacted by missing the playoffs the number of seasons that they have and they find themselves in a bit of a hole, but with the proper structure moving forward, they can be successful. "Its a great hockey community, a great facility and we just need the right leadership to get in place to get that job done." Ahmad Brooks Jersey . -- The Atlanta Braves are facing the possibility of losing another pitcher for the season after general manager Frank Wren said Saturday that Cory Gearrin has a serious injury to his right elbow. Jordy Nelson Jersey . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.EDMONTON -- Chris Jones is from the small town of South Pittsburgh, Tenn., where, he says, theres a lot of blue collar people who "work extremely hard for their money." And that hard work, he said, is what he will bring to the Edmonton Eskimos as the 20th head coach in their history. He also brings a wealth of CFL experience. Hes been a defensive coach since 2002, including stints as an assistant head coach two years in Calgary and most recently as assistant head coach, assistant general manager and defensive co-ordinator for the Toronto Argonauts. Jones has been in the post-season each of his 12 years in the league, won seven division titles and three Grey Cups. The length of terms of his contract were not revealed. "Today is about 2014 and beyond," Eskimo general manager Ed Hervey said in introducing Jones to the media and fans on Wednesday. "I know I have selected the right person to coach this team. We know there is work to do but we are committed to making this thing right and I believe our team is in the right hands of Chris Jones." Saying he was "tremendously excited" to have his first head coaching job, Jones told the gathering of about 50 people in the Eskimos dressing room that he remembers growing up in South Pittsburgh "where they make cast iron and all I wanted to do is be a head football coach. "Now I have a chance to do it with what I feel like is the best organization in this league and I fully expect to put together a great staff, I fully expect to win a ton of games and bring a Grey Cup back here. "My teams have won a lot of games, Grey Cup championships. Its been a tremendous, tremendous ride and its going to continue in Edmonton." One of hhis first priorities is to secure a coaching staff. Lance Kendricks Jersey. He wouldnt mention any names, he said, because many of the people hes looking at are employed by other teams and hes waiting for permission to speak to the individuals. But, he said, when it comes to finding his staff and upgrading the player roster, "were going to hit the ground running. This is not going to be one of those slow procedures. . . its going to come rather quickly." Jones, who was a guest coach with Edmonton in 1999 when Hervey was a rookie receiver on the team, brings an aggressive style and attitude and said the Eskimos will play that way under his regime. He takes over a team that went 4-14 in 2013, a record that resulted in the firing of head coach Kavis Reed and at times had Hervey publicly criticizing the players. "Some of the parts are here," Jones said of the Eskimos. "Its just a matter of finding some help in other spots. To win you need great players, great coaches and in the next few months we will work on that." Hervey, who publicly apologized to members of the media for his attitude towards and treatment of last season, said he wanted a head coach similar to him and he likes the fit between himself and Jones. "His resume speaks for itself. He has the type of attitude that we need here. The expectation levels are high and when you talk about what is expected I felt there was only one person who could meet those expectations and hes standing in front of you. "I made the right football decision, for many reasons. I firmly believe we have the right guy for the job. I believe in Chris Jones. When I look at our club I honestly believe he gives us the best chance of winning." Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '