Red Deer Rebels blueliner Alex Petrovic is the Eastern Conference defenceman of the year, the Western Hockey League announced Wednesday.
Petrovic has also been selected to the Eastern Conference first all-star team.
The Edmonton product, who will turn pro next season, is currently with the Florida Panthers No. 1 affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL.
The WHL awards luncheon is May 2 in Calgary. Meanwhile, Rebels forwards Turner Elson and John Persson have joined the AHL affiliates of the Calgary Flames and New York Islanders — the Abbotsford Heat and Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
On another note, the Rebels will pick sixth overall in the first round of the WHL bantam draft May 3.
That was disclosed following the draft lottery Wednesday morning in which Seattle gained the first pick, followed by — in order, among the six non-playoff teams — Prince Albert, Prince George, Lethbridge, Swift Current and Red Deer.