For the second straight season, Moose Jaw Warriors goalie Zach Sawchenko is the top goaltender in the Eastern Conference.

Sawchenko was named the 2016-17 Eastern Conference Goaltender of the Year on Wednesday and he'll be in the running for the league award against Western Conference nominee Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips, who was WHL and CHL Goalie of the Year last season.

In 51 games this season, Sawchenko finished with a 30-14-6-1 record, a 2.79 goals against average and a 0.917 save percentage. He set new career highs in wins, goals against average and save percentage.

Sawchenko ranked eighth in the WHL in goals against average, he was tenth in wins and his save percentage was first among Eastern Conference goalies and fourth overall.

Sawchenko was also named an Eastern Conference first-team all-star for the second straight season, while Warriors forward Jayden Halbgewachs earned his first all-star selection being named to the Eastern Conference second-team.

Halbgewachs finished the season with 50 goals and 51 assists for 101 points in 71 games. He blew his previous career highs out of the water, surpassing his goal total of 15 and point total of 41 from last season.

The Warriors will open the playoffs this weekend when they host the Swift Current Broncos for Games 1 and 2 on Friday and Saturday at Mosaic Place. Get your tickets by heading to Mosaic Place Box Office or mjwarriors.ca.

Raiders Win Draft Lottery

The Prince Albert Raiders will be selecting first in the WHL Bantam Draft after winning the draft lottery on Wednesday in Calgary to move up from the third pick to first overall.

The Kootenay Ice headed into the lottery with the best odds at the top pick after finishing last durign the regular season, but they will now drop down to second overall.

The WHL Bantam Draft goes on May 4.  The Warriors will hold the 15th overall pick in the first round.