Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today center Mathew Barzal has been named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 12, 2017.

Barzal registered 15 points (1G-14A) in four games to help the Thunderbirds go 4-0-0-0 this past week, moving into the U.S. Division lead.

On Tuesday, February 7, Barzal collected two assists in a 3-1 win at Victoria and was named second star. On Wednesday, February 8, in the second of back-to-back contests with the Royals, Barzal secured four assists in a 5-4 win and was named second star once again. Returning home, Barzal put up three more assists on Friday, February 10, in a 6-2 win against Tri-City and was named second star for the third consecutive game. Finally, on Saturday, February 11, the Thunderbirds’ captain exploded for six points (1G-5A) in an 8-5 win versus Portland, earning first star recognition.

A 19-year-old product of Coquitlam, BC, Barzal sits second in Thunderbirds’ scoring with 54 points (8G-46A) in 29 games since returning to Seattle after starting the campaign with the NHL’s New York Islanders. Barzal’s 46 assists rank ninth among all WHL players.

The 6-foot, 187-pound centre was selected by the Islanders with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. Barzal began the 2016-17 season with the Islanders, skating in two contests before returning to Seattle.

The veteran pivot represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, serving as an alternate captain and helping his nation to a silver-medal finish, tallying eight points (3G-5A) in seven games.

Originally taken by the Seattle Thunderbirds with the first overall pick at the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Barzal has stacked up 253 points (61G-192A) in 190 career WHL regular season games.

WHL Player of the Week

Sept. 23 – Sept. 25: Chad Butcher, Medicine Hat Tigers

Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Sam Steel, Regina Pats

Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants

Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings

Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs

Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Connor Hobbs, Regina Pats

Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Alexander True, Seattle Thunderbirds

Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Sergey Zborovskiy, Regina Pats

Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Calvin Thurkauf, Kelowna Rockets

Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Deven Sideroff, Kamloops Blazers

Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Brayden Burke, Moose Jaw Warriors

Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jake Bean, Calgary Hitmen

Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds