Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Kelowna Rockets forward Nick Merkley has been named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 8th, 2015.

Merkley recorded eight points (4g-4a) in three games to help the Kelowna Rockets post a record of 3-0-0-0 for the week.

On Tuesday, November 3rd against the Tri-City Americans, Merkley scored twice including the game-winning goal to propel the Rockets to a 3-1 victory. On Friday, November 6th, Merkley was named the game’s first star as he recorded four points (1g-3a) in the Rockets 5-4 win over the Portland Winterhawks. The following night, Merkley notched two points (1g-1a) to go along with a plus-3 rating in the Rockets 8-5 victory against the Portland Winterhawks.

The 18-year-old Calgary, AB native has collected 17 points (7g-10a) in 15 games with the Rockets this season. The 5-10, 188 lb forward is in his third WHL campaign with Kelowna and has amassed 165 points (52g-113a) in 154 career WHL regular season contests. Merkley was selected in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

The WHL has also nominated Landon Bow of the Swift Current Broncos for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week award. Bow, a 1995-born netminder from St. Albert, AB, posted two wins to go along with a 1.07 goals against average and a .966 save percentage. On Tuesday, November 3rd, Bow entered the game against the Victoria Royals in relief of Travis Child and proceeded to stop 23 of 24 shots in the Broncos’ 3-1 loss. On Friday, November 6th against the Regina Pats, Bow was productive as he turned aside 25 shots to earn second star honours in the Broncos 3-1 win. The following night, Bow capped off a consistent week by stopping 36 shots against the Brandon Wheat Kings to lead the Broncos to a 4-1 victory. Bow was named the game’s second star. Currently in his fourth season with the Broncos, Bow has posted a 55-42-6-5 record with 10 shutouts in 123 career WHL regular season appearances.

WHL Player of the Week

Sept. 24 – Sept. 27: Alex Forsberg, Victoria Royals

Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Reid Gardiner, Prince Albert Raiders

Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Brayden Point, Moose Jaw Warriors

Oct. 12 – Oct. 18: Jon Martin, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Jesse Gabrielle, Prince George Cougars

Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds

Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets

Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week (WHL Nominee)

Sept. 24 – Sept. 27: Landon Bow, Swift Current Broncos

Sept. 28 – Oct. 4: Coleman Vollrath, Victoria Royals

Oct. 5 – Oct. 11: Coleman Vollrath, Victoria Royals

Oct. 12 – Oct 18: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raider

Oct. 19 – Oct. 25: Adin Hill, Portland Winterhawks

Oct. 26 – Nov. 1: Adin Hill, Portland Winterhawks

Nov. 2 – Nov. 8: Landon Bow, Swift Current Broncos