CALGARY, AB. – The Western Hockey League announced today that forward Brendan Shinnimin, of the Tri-City Americans, has been named the HUSKY WHL Player of the Month for February.

The 21-year-old (born 1991) forward led all WHL scorers collecting an unprecedented 43 points through the month of February, finding the net 23 times and accumulating 20 assists to go along with a +16 rating. Shinnimin gathered points in all 14 games played, which included a 10 game goal scoring streak with 21 markers. The 5’10”, 175-lb pivot enjoyed 11 multiple-point games, including six with four or more points, and seven multi-goal nights, which included three with three or more goals.

Shinnimin currently leads all WHL scorers with 117 points (52 goals, 65 assists) in 60 games played. His remarkable play helped the Americans to a 10-3-0-1 record through February and currently sit first in the WHL Western Conference and entire League with a 45-15-1-2 record for 93 points. Shinnimin’s efforts also earned him a Three Star selection eight times in February, with six being 1st Stars.

A Winnipeg native, Shinnimin is in his fourth full season with the Tri-City Americans. Originally an Americans list player, he has gone on to appear in 258 career WHL games collecting 125 goals, 195 assists and 320 points. This is Shinnimin’s second WHL Player of the Month Award with the last being in January 2011.

His accomplishments make Brendan Shinnimin a deserving choice as the HUSKY WHL Player of the Month for February.

HUSKY – proud sponsor of the WHL Education Program and the Canada West WHL Graduate of the Month.

2011-12 HUSKY WHL Player of the Month

February: Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans

January: Jordan Weal, Regina Pats

December: Michael St. Croix, Edmonton Oil Kings

November: Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks

September/October: Emerson Etem, Medicine Hat Tigers

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Red-Hot Shinnimin Has Ams Rolling

By Jesse Watts

whl.ca

When you’re on a roll, everything just seems to go your way. That’s exactly how things have been going for Brendan Shinnimin of the Tri-City Americans over the last month.

The 21-year-old from Winnipeg, MB, has been rolling along quite nicely since the beginning of February, putting up points at a pace not equaled in many years.

In just 14 games, Shinnimin has scored a whopping 23 goals and 43 points while leading the Americans to the top of the heap in the WHL standings. The 5’10”, 175-lb pivot has put up 11 multiple-point games, including six with four or more points, and enjoyed a 10-game goal streak.

Naturally, Shinnimin is pretty happy with how the month has gone for himself and the team.

“A month ago, I was in the middle of the pack in scoring,” said Shinnimin, who now finds himself in the WHL scoring lead with 117 points through 60 games this season. “It’s one of those things that, when you get hot, all the bounces start going your way so you just keep shooting the puck and playing with confidence.”

A top scorer in the WHL over the past two seasons, Shinnimin was already well-established as a premiere offensive player in the WHL. He put up 96 points in 60 games last season while being named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star team, and netted 82 points in 2009-10. Yet, it was his commitment to making changes to his game that he credits for some of his increased success this season.

“Coming down the stretch, I’ve been really focusing on trying to play a pro-style game, working on some of the little things in my game,” said the fourth-year member of the Ams. “With this being my last year in the WHL, I wanted to do whatever I can to earn a pro contract and play at the next level.

“It’s also been about getting my game ready for the playoffs,” he added.

Of course, Shinnimin reserves the most of the credit for his success for his line mates, Adam Hughesman and Patrick Holland. 21-year-old Hughesman and Shinnimin have played together since they were kids in Winnipeg, and have been a potent combination for the Americans over the last three years. Holland, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, has complemented the line with his speed and playmaking abilities.

So far, the trio has combined for 114 goals and 316 points this season, making them the most productive and dangerous line combination in the WHL.

“I have to give shout-outs to my line mates, Holland and Hughesman, who have also had huge months with their point production too,” said Shinnimin. “I’ve played with Adam since I was seven years old, and we’ve developed a chemistry that you don’t see anywhere else since we’ve been playing for the Americans.

“A guy like Patrick Holland should be considered a highly-rated prospect, though he may get overlooked sometimes, because he’s such a great, smart player and has picked up on mine and Adam’s tendencies really well.

“(Holland) will definitely be a good pro, someday,” he said.

Shinnimin has been fortunate to play his WHL career for a very solid and highly competitive Americans team than has been among the contenders every season he has played there. With the Ams once again in the hunt for a Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy, this year is no different.

Though Shinnimin’s line has carried much of the load for the Ams this season, he is quick to point out the significant contributions of many of the younger players on the team who have stepped up and taken on bigger roles this season.

“A guy like Connor Rankin, who isn’t even eligible for the draft until next year, has really stepped up and become a contributor for the team,” said Shinnimin. “Brian Williams, a 16-year-old, has come in and shown he can play well and be very effective at the WHL level, and Eric Comrie, another 16-year-old, is already looking like he’ll be a great pro.

“You look at Mason Wilgosh, who hasn’t maybe gotten lots of minutes in previous years, has really stepped up and become a key part of our success this year,” he said.

While he can relish in his personal success and his team’s success, Shinnimin knows now is not the time to rest on past laurels. Though they currently hold down top spot in the WHL, their lead is tenuous as U.S. Division rivals the Portland Winterhawks remain right on their heels.

With only three weeks remaining in the 2011-12 regular season, Shinnimin knows the Ams have to continue their recent success in order to keep the Winterhawks and the Kamloops Blazers in the rearview mirror.

“It’s going to take a playoff mentality for every game from now on,” said Shinnimin. “Over in Portland, they have some very highly-rated players who will be playing in the NHL some day, and they are a very talented team.

“To beat a team with that much offensive punch and with the quality of some of their defencemen, you know you have to bring your ‘A’ Game every night.

“Coming down the stretch, we know we can’t afford to take a night off if we want to get our hands on that division title,” he said.

If Shinnimin can keep up the type of scoring pace he’s been on through February, a U.S. Division title, a Scotty Munro trophy and a scoring championship may just be an inevitability.