Prince George Cougars centre Riley Heidt and defenceman Hudson Thornton have been selected for the Western Hockey League’s B.C. Division Second All-Star Team.
Both have had record-setting seasons.
Thornton, 19, set new Cougar marks for goals (23) and points (74) and finished fourth in team scoring. He eclipsed Cougar defenceman Dustin Byfuglien’s 22 goals, set in 2004-05, and exceeded the 68 points Christian Chartier posted in 2000-01.
Thornton’s 12 goals and 23 assists in man-advantage situations gave the Cougars the second-most potent power-play in the WHL (27.7 per cent efficiency).
The Winnipeg native is in his second full WHL season after getting drafted in the second round, 33rd overall, by the Cougars in 2018.
The 17-year-old Heidt lived up to the hype of his NHL Central Scouting first-round projection when put up 25 goals and his 72 assists set the single-season record for most assists while playing all 68 games. He broke the Cougars’ single-season record for most assists (59), set by Jansen Harkins in 2014-15.
Heidt’s 72 assists left him tied atop the league chart with Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard. Heidt’s 39 power-play assists led the WHL and with 97 points he finished fifth in the scoring race.
The Saskatoon native was chosen second overall by the Cougars in the 2020 WHL draft.
The Cougars open the playoffs Friday night at CN Centre, where they begin a best-of-seven series against the Tri-City Americans.
