Chase Witala's seven points in three games earned him WHL player of the week honours for the week ending Jan. 31.
Witala, a 20-year-old forward for the Prince George Cougars, was officially recognized with the award on Monday. Last week, he tallied three goals and four assists in a 4-3 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers, a 4-3 overtime setback against the Swift Current Broncos and a 6-2 win against the Moose Jaw Warriors. In the Moose Jaw game alone, he recorded one goal and three helpers.
For his WHL career, Witala now has 111 goals. With his next one, he will surpass Eric Hunter as the Cougars' all-time leading goal-scorer. Witala will get the chance at the milestone marker Tuesday in Saskatoon when the Cougars take on the Blades.
On the season, Witala has 31 goals and 57 points in 51 games. He leads the team scoring race, one point up on Jesse Gabrielle (31-25-56).
Witala is the second member of the Cougars to win the WHL weekly award this season. Gabrielle was the recipient for the week ending Oct. 25.
In December, Witala was chosen as WHL player of the month.
Witala is a local product who developed his skills in the Prince George Minor Hockey Association and with the Cariboo Cougars major midget team.
The Cougars take a 30-18-2-1 record into Tuesday's tilt with the Blades (18-28-4-0). The Cats are in third place in the B.C. Division, four points back of the Victoria Royals (31-15-2-3).
