The accolades continue to roll in for the Prince George Cougars.
Hudson Thornton and Zac Funk have been named finalists for two annual league awards – Defenseman of the Year and Player of the Year.
Thornton, the Cougars’ captain, scored 18 goals and 56 assists in 68 games this season, finishing with a +28 rating.
Hudson Thornton of the @PGCougars has been named the B.C. Division nominee for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the @REMAX WHL Defenceman of the Year. #WHLAwards
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 4, 2024
This season, he passed Cougars legends Dan Hamhuis and Dustin Byfuglien for the most points, assists, and goals ever by a Prince George Cougar defenseman.
His 74 points were enough to finish 4th in scoring among all WHL defensemen.
Zac Funk shattered the Cougars’ long-standing single season goal and point records, scoring 67 times – including 8 hat tricks – in 68 games.
Zac Funk of the @PGCougars has been named the B.C. Division nominee for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Player of the Year.@Capitals | #WHLAwards
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 4, 2024
Combined with his 56 assists, Funk ended the year with 123 points, finishing second in scoring in the WHL and entire CHL behind fellow WHL player of the year nominee, Jagger Firkus.
Funk also finished the year +56, the highest ever recorded by a Cougar in a single season.
He finished the year on a 14 game point streak where he recorded 16 goals and 17 assists and has 8 points in 4 games of playoffs.
Funk signed an entry level NHL contract with the Washington Capitals at the start of last month.
The Cougars have cleaned up in the league awards so far – rookie Terik Parascak and GM / Head Coach Mark Lamb were both nominated for awards yesterday (Wednesday).
The team’s office staff were also nominated for the WHL Business award.
Cougar skaters made up half of the BC Division All-Star team, 6/12 players named play in Prince George.
These awards are a secondary reason for Cougars fans to celebrate today – the team swept the Spokane Chiefs in the first round of the WHL playoffs last nigh and will be advancing to the second round.
Their next opponent is still to be determined.