Barzal, Bear named to all-star team | WHL

For the Reporter

Seattle Thunderbirds center Mathew Barzal and defenseman Ethan Bear were named first-team Western Conference All-Stars, the Western Hockey League announced Wednesday.

Barzal finished 11th in the WHL in scoring this season with 27 points and 61 assists for 88 points.

Barzal, who was named the team’s MVP at the team awards ceremony, was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round, 16th overall, in the 2015 NHL draft

Bear finished fifth the season fifth in the WHL in scoring among defensemen. He had 19 goals and 46 assists.

Bear was named the Defenseman of the Year at the team awards ceremony. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round, 124th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.

WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS
FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Carter Hart (Sherwood Park, Alberta), Everett Silvertips
Defenseman – Joe Hicketts (Kamloops, B.C.), Victoria Royals*
Defenseman – Ethan Bear (Ochapowace, Saskatchewan), Seattle Thunderbirds
Forward – Tyson Baillie (Fort Saskatchewan, AB), Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Mathew Barzal (Coquitlam, B.C.), Seattle Thunderbirds
Forward – Parker Bowles (Kelowna, B.C.), Tri-City Americans

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Connor Ingram (Imperial, SK), Kamloops Blazers
Defenseman – Noah Juulsen (Abbotsford, B.C.), Everett Silvertips
Defenseman – Jason Fram (South Delta, B.C.), Spokane Chiefs
Forward – Tyler Soy (Cloverdale, B.C.), Victoria Royals
Forward – Chase Witala (Prince George, B.C.), Prince George Cougars
Forward – Collin Shirley (Saskatoon, SK), Kamloops Blazers

* indicates unanimous selection

The T-Birds open the playoffs against the Prince George Cougars at 7:35 p.m. Friday at the ShoWare Center. Tickets are on sale on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday game days at noon.