Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Americans captain Michael Rasmussen has been named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending April 8, 2018.

Rasmussen, who was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft, registered seven points (4G-3A) and a plus-five rating in two games as the Americans took a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Round Two series against the Victoria Royals in the 2018 WHL Playoffs.

In the series-opening game Friday, Rasmussen had a goal and three points as his team won by a 7-0 result. The Surrey, B.C. product scored the opening goal of the game, having it stand up as the game-winner. He also picked up a primary assist on the insurance goal and a power play assist later in the game. He led a sweep of the three stars of the game and was also named the first star of the night across the WHL.

A night later, Rasmussen recorded the first hat trick of his WHL Playoffs career in a 4-1 win for the Americans. Rasmussen scored the first, second, and fourth goals for the Americans, once again picking up the game-winning goal. He also had a primary assist on Morgan Geekie’s third period goal to factor into all four of the Americans’ goals. Rasmussen once again earned first star honours of the game and across the WHL for the evening.

Overall, Rasmussen finished with five points (3G-2A) at even strength and two points (1G-1A) on the power play. The first two games have been a continuation of Rasmussen’s successful voyage into the 2018 WHL Playoffs. Through six games this post-season, the 6-foot-6, 221-pound forward has 19 points (9G-10A), featuring four power-play goals and a pair of game-winning goals.

Rasmussen presently ranks second in WHL Playoffs scoring, second in goals and is tied for fourth for assists. He also ranks second in power-play goals scored and is tied for fourth in game-winning goals.

Though he missed part of the season due to injury, Rasmussen still set career-highs this season with 59 points (31G-28A) in 47 games. He set personal highs for points and assists while finishing one goal shy of equalling his 32-goal performance from the 2016-17 WHL regular season.

Rasmussen is the first member of the Tri-City Americans to capture WHL On the Run Player of the Week honours.

Originally selected in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, Rasmussen has appeared in 161 career WHL regular season games, recording 157 points (81G-76A), including 40 power-play goals, one short-handed goal and eight game-winning goals.

Rasmussen and the Americans will look to remain perfect in the 2018 WHL Playoffs when they return home to the Toyota Centre to host the Victoria Royals in Game Three of their series on Tuesday, April 10 (7:05 p.m. PT).

WHL On the Run Player of the Week

Apr. 2 – Apr. 8: Michael Rasmussen, Tri-City Americans

Mar. 26 – Apr. 1: Brayden Burke, Moose Jaw Warriors

Mar. 19 – Mar. 25: Brad Morrison, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Mar. 12 – Mar. 18: Dillon Dube, Kelowna Rockets

Mar. 5 – Mar. 11: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Feb. 26 – Mar. 4: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Feb. 19 – Feb. 25: Ty Smith, Spokane Chiefs

Feb. 12 – Feb. 18: Jordy Bellerive, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Feb. 5 – Feb. 11: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Jan. 29 – Feb. 4: Ty Ronning, Vancouver Giants

Jan. 22 – Jan. 28: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs

Jan. 15 – Jan. 21: Matt Fonteyne, Everett Silvertips

Jan. 8 – Jan. 14: Dylan Cozens, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Jan. 1 – Jan. 7: Matteo Gennaro, Swift Current Broncos

Dec. 27 – Dec. 31: Braylon Shmyr, Saskatoon Blades

Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Nolan Volcan, Seattle Thunderbirds

Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Stelio Mattheos, Brandon Wheat Kings

Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Calen Addison, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Aleksi Heponiemi, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Jermaine Loewen, Kamloops Blazers

Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Brett Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors

Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos

Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings

Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos

Sept. 22 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.