T-Birds’ Theodore named Western Conference All-Star

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds’ Shea Theodore, the Western Hockey League’s highest-scoring defenseman this season, was named a first-team Western Conference All-Star on Thursday.

Theodore has 79 points on 22 goals and 57 assists for the playoff-bound T-Birds.

He also set the team record for most goals by a defenseman in Seattle’s last game of the season, scoring two goals against the Tri-City Americans on March 16 to give him 45 career goals. He passed Deron Quint, who had 44 goals with the T-Birds over the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.

Theodore is in third place in team history for career points and assists by a defenseman, behind both Craig Channell and Thomas Hickey.

Theodore, from Aldergrove, B.C., was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.

The T-Birds are preparing for a first round best-of-seven playoff series against the Everett Silvertips. Game 1 of the series is Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at the ShoWare Center.

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WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Jordon Cooke (Leduc, Alberta), Kelowna Rockets
Defenseman – Derrick Pouliot (Weyburn, Saskatchewan), Portland Winterhawks
Defenseman – Shea Theodore (Aldergrove, B.C.), Seattle Thunderbirds
Forward – Nicolas Petan (Delta, B.C.), Portland Winterhawks *
Forward – Mitch Holmberg (Sherwood Park, Alberta), Spokane Chiefs *
Forward – Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark), Portland Winterhawks

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Eric Comrie (Edmonton, Alberta), Tri-City Americans
Defenseman – Damon Severson (Melville, SK), Kelowna Rockets
Defenseman – Madison Bowey (Winnipeg, Manitoba), Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Joshua Winquist (St. Albert, Alberta), Everett Silvertips
Forward – Todd Fiddler (Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan), Prince George Cougars
Forward – Mike Aviani (North Vancouver, B.C.), Spokane Chiefs

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS

FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Tristan Jarry (Delta, B.C.), Edmonton Oil Kings
Defenseman – Josh Morrissey (Calgary, Alberta), Prince Albert Raiders
Defenseman – Ryan Pulock (Grandview, Manitoba) Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward – Sam Reinhart (Vancouver, B.C.), Kootenay Ice *
Forward – Leon Draisaitl (Cologne, Germany), Prince Albert Raiders
Forward – Curtis Lazar (Vernon, B.C.), Edmonton Oil Kings

SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM

Goaltender – Patrik Bartosak (Koprivnice, Czech Republic), Red Deer Rebels
Defenseman – Griffin Reinhart (West Vancouver, B.C.), Edmonton Oil Kings
Defenseman – Julius Honka (Jyvaskyla, Finland), Swift Current Broncos
Forward – Curtis Valk (Medicine Hat, Alberta), Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward – Jaedon Descheneau (Edmonton, Alberta), Kootenay Ice
Forward – Chandler Stephenson (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), Regina Pate

* indicates unanimous selection

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The WHL announced the 2014 Awards Finalists in the following categories:

WHL Rookie of the Year, Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Nikita Scherbak (Moscow, Russia), Saskatoon Blades
Western Conference – Nick Merkley (Calgary, Alberta), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Goaltender of the Year, Del Wilson Trophy

Eastern Conference – Tristan Jarry (Delta, B.C.), Edmonton Oil Kings
Western Conference – Jordon Cooke (Leduc, Alberta), Kelowna Rockets

WHL Defenseman of the Year, Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Josh Morrissey (Calgary, Alberta), Prince Albert Raiders
Western Conference – Derrick Pouliot (Weyburn, Saskatchewan), Portland Winterhawks

WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year, Brad Hornung Trophy

Eastern Conference – Sam Reinhart (Vancouver, B.C.), Kootenay Ice
Western Conference – Mitch Holmberg (Sherwood Park, Alberta), Spokane Chiefs

WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Nelson Nogier (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) Saskatoon Blades
Western Conference – Dominic Turgeon (Cherry Hills, Colo.) Portland Winterhawks

WHL Coach of the Year, Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Shaun Clouston, Medicine Hat Tigers
Western Conference – Dave Lowry, Victoria Royals

WHL Executive of the Year, Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Mike Moore, Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference – Cam Hope, Victoria Royals

WHL Humanitarian of the Year, Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy

Eastern Conference – Sam Fioretti (Calgary, Alberta) Moose Jaw Warriors
Western Conference – Mitch Topping (Red Deer, Alberta) Tri-City Americans

WHL Marketing/Business Award

Eastern Conference – Regina Pats
Western Conference – Seattle Thunderbirds

WHL Regular Season Champions, Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy

Kelowna Rockets: GP – 72 W – 57 L – 11 OTL – 0 SL – 4 Points – 118

WHL Top Scorer – Bob Clarke Trophy

Mitch Holmberg (Sherwood Park, Alberta), Spokane Chiefs
GP – 72 G – 62 A – 56 Pts – 118 PIM – 25