GOALIE WAS SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF 2--2 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

CALGARY -- The Western Hockey League Player of the Week is goaltender Cam Ward of the Red Deer Rebels. Ward earned player of the week honors by recording three wins, including back-to-back shutout wins for the week of November 18th to November 24th. Ward's performance helped extend the Rebels winning streak to seven games and keeps the Rebels (20-4-2-2) atop the WHL overall standings with 44 points.

On Wednesday, November 20th, Ward recorded 23 saves in a 6-0 shutout win against the visiting Regina Pats. On Friday, November 22nd, Ward recorded 21 saves in a 6-0 shutout victory against the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes.

On Saturday, November 21st, Ward stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 4-2 victory against the Hurricanes in Lethbridge.

Ward, an 18-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta, was drafted in the 1st round, 25th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Ward leads all WHL goalies in wins (18), goals against average (1.98 GAA), shutouts (3) and save percentage (.928 SV%).

Honorable mention goes to Tyler Weiman of the Tri-City Americans.

WHL Players of the Week, 2002-03:
Nov 18 -- Nov 24: Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels
Nov 11 -- Nov 17: Jordin Tootoo, Brandon Wheat Kings
Nov 4 -- Nov 10: Ben Ondrus, Swift Current Broncos
Oct 28 -- Nov 3: Nigel Dawes, Kootenay Ice
Oct 21 -- Oct 27: Stephen Mann, Saskatoon Blades
Oct 15 -- Oct 20: Boyd Gordon, Red Deer Rebels
Oct 7 -- Oct 14: Jordan McLaughlin, Vancouver Giants
Sept 30 -- Oct 6: Tim Konsorada, Brandon Wheat Kings
Sept 20 -- Sept 29: Jonas Johansson, Kamloops Blazers