Zac Funk’s record-setting season brought yet another accolade Thursday when the Prince George Cougars right winger was named the B.C. Division nominee for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, given to the league’s most valuable player.
Funk shattered the Prince George team records for goals (67) and points (123) and finished second in the scoring race, also compiling a career-best 56 assists and plus-56 rating.
His goal total was unmatched by any other player this season in the WHL or Canadian Hockey League and the scouts obviously took notice.
The Washington Capitals signed him earlier this year to entry-level NHL contract.
Named last week as a B.C. Division first-team all-star, the six-foot, 210-pound Funk posted a league-high eight hat tricks this season and is currently riding an 18-game point streak.
He had the game-winning goal in the Cougars' 3-2 win in Game 4 that ended their series with the Spokane Chiefs.
The 20-year-old native of Coldstream, was picked by the Calgary Hitmen in the second round, 43rd overall, in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.
Funk was traded by the Hitmen to the Cougars at midseason last year and put up 13 goals and 26 points after the trade, also producing five goals and eight points in 10 playoff games.
In a WHL career that spanned 228 regular season games he finished 119 goals, 108 assists and 227 points.
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is named in honour of Swift Current Broncos players Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff who died in a bus crash Dec. 30, 1986 while on the way to a game in Regina.
The only Prince George Cougar to win the award was defenceman Dan Hamhuis, in 2002.
Joining Funk on the list of MVP award nominees are:
Central Division – Conor Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) – Swift Current Broncos
East Division – Jagger Firkus (Irma, Alta.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
U.S. Division – Berkly Catton (Saskatoon) – Spokane Chiefs
The WHL also announced its nominees for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy for goaltender of year.
That list includes:
B.C. Division – Brett Mirwald (Saskatoon), Vancouver Giants
Central Division – Harrison Meneghin (South Surrey), Lethbridge Hurricanes
East Division – Jackson Unger (Calgary), Moose Jaw Warriors
U.S. Division – Jan Spunar (Olomouc, Czechia), Portland Winterhawks
