Tyler Wong of Cochrane has had a season to remember both on and off the ice.

 21 year old Wong, the Lethbridge Hurricanes captain, is in the midst of an impressive playoff run in the Western Hockey League, advancing to the Eastern Conference final against the Regina Pats.

Wong's tied for the playoff scoring lead with 22 points after registering 109 during the regular season on 51 goals and 58 assists.  Wong was voted as the Hurricanes "Fan Favourite Player" for the fifth time in his career, a feat that's been achieved by no other player in the team's history.

Wong's amazing season continued on Wednesday (April 19), when he was chosen as the Eastern Conference Humanitarian of the Year for the third consecutive season.

Wong's charitable efforts are just as impressive as his stats on the ice.  This season, he donated $5 to KidSport in Lethbridge and Taber for each goal he scored.  He set a goal of raising $10,000 this season and recruited three teammates to help him with the challenge.  Wong's initiative surpassed its goal and raised over $13,000.

Wong also played a vital role in many other community endeavors, including the "Hurricanes Spread Christmas Cheer" program where he and his coaches and teammates delivered food hampers and toy baskets, and visited senior's homes during the Christmas season.  

Wong also volunteered as a teacher's assistant in a local classroom, served as a volunteer on ice instructor for a number of minor hockey teams and most recently worked with the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association to help individuals coping with physical and mental disabilities through horseback riding.

Wong hopes to cap off his final season in the WHL with a league championship and a Memorial Cup win.

Sam Ruopp of the Prince George Cougars was named the Western Conference Humanitarian of the Year.  

Both are now nominated for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy given to the Western Hockey League Humanitarian of the Year.

The award will be presented at the WHL Awards on Wednesday, May 3 in Calgary.

 

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