Red Deer Rebels forward Kai Uchacz’s career year on the ice has propelled him to be named the 2022-23 Central Division Player of the Year.
The 19-year-old out of De Winton, Alta. alongside Regina Pats star Connor Bedard, Kamloops Blazers Logan Stankoven, and Everett Silvertips Jackson Berezowski were all nominated for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy.
The trophy will be given to the Western Hockey League Player of the Year after it’s announced on Wednesday, May 10.
Uchacz finished second in the WHL with 50 goals behind Bedard in the regular season, 30 of which came at even strength.
During the 2022-23 campaign, he became the second Rebel in the last two years to record at least 50. In the 2021-22 season, forward Ben King notched 52 goals en route to a Central Division Player of the Year title.
Uchacz also led the division in goals, points, power play goals, game-winning goals, first goals, and insurance goals.
This week the Rebels begin their second-round matchup against the Saskatoon Blades.
Despite the Rebels winning the Central Division, the Blades will get home ice advantage because they finished the regular season with more points.
Saskatoon will host Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Sunday before returning for Games 3 and 4 next week in Red Deer.