The Western Hockey League announced today the East Division All-Star team for the 2020-21 WHL season.
WHL Division All-Stars are voted upon by WHL General Managers.
WHL East Division All-Star Team
Goaltender – Nolan Maier (Yorkton, Sask.) – Saskatoon Blades
Defenceman – Ryker Evans (Calgary, Alta.) – Regina Pats
Defenceman – Braden Schneider (Prince Albert, Sask.) – Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward – Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Regina Pats
Forward – Peyton Krebs (Okotoks, Alta.) – Winnipeg ICE
Forward – Ben McCartney (Macdonald, Man.) – Brandon Wheat Kings
WHL East Division All-Star Team Biographies
Goaltender Nolan Maier (Saskatoon Blades): Maier finished fifth among WHL goaltenders in wins, posting a 12-3-1-1 record in 17 games to go along with a 2.34 goals-against average and 0.915 save percentage. No East Division goaltender had more than the two shutouts recorded by the 20-year-old Yorkton, Sask. product. The 6-foot-0, 173-pound netminder is the Blades career wins leader, posting a 91-49-9-5 record, 2.92 GAA, 0.903 SV%, and nine shutouts over 156 regular season appearances in the WHL.
Defenceman Ryker Evans (Regina Pats): Evans set a career best with 25 assists during the 2020-21 season, finishing second among WHL blueliners with 28 points (3G-25A). The 5-foot-11, 184-pound rearguard finished tied for the Pats scoring lead and finished the season on a strong note tallying 15 points in his final 11 games. The 19-year-old Calgary, Alta. product has accrued 70 points (11G-59A) in 132 WHL regular season games.
Defenceman Braden Schneider (Brandon Wheat Kings): The 19-year-old product of Prince Albert, Sask. led the Wheat Kings from the blue line, totalling 27 points (5G-22A) in 22 games to finish third in scoring among WHL blueliners, and his 15 power-play assists were second-best in the WHL. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenceman finished tied for sixth among WHL skaters in assists. The New York Rangers prospect has recorded 115 points (21G-94A) in 207 WHL regular season games and is currently competing for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Riga, Latvia.
Forward Connor Bedard (Regina Pats): The first player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status, Bedard was leading the WHL in scoring before leaving to represent Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in mid-April. The 15-year-old product of North Vancouver, B.C. finished with 28 points (12G-16A) from 15 games played, 10 of which were multi-point efforts. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound centre is eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft.
Forward Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg ICE): The 20-year-old ICE captain led the WHL in both assists (30) and points (43), setting a franchise record by recording points in 23 consecutive games. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound product of Okotoks, Alta. had five games in which he recorded three or more points during the 2020-21 season. The first-overall selection from the 2016 WHL Draft and Vegas Golden Knights prospect has tallied 231 points (62G-169A) in 199 WHL regular season games.
Forward Ben McCartney (Brandon Wheat Kings): Recording 37 points (13G-24A) in 24 games, the 19-year-old McCartney helped pace the Wheat Kings to the East Division title. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound left winger finished second in WHL scoring and tied for the league lead in game-winning goals with four. The Arizona Coyotes prospect from Macdonald, Man. has tallied 151 points (61G-90A) in 205 WHL regular season games.
You can check out the all-stars from the rest of the league at the link below.