Kamloops Blazers defenceman Olen Zellweger has won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL Defenceman of the Year for the second consecutive season.

The Anaheim Ducks prospect set new personal bests in goals (32) and points (80) to lead all Western Conference defencemen in scoring over the course of the 2022-23 WHL Regular Season.

Zellweger put up 22 goals and 30 assists in 52 regular season games with the Blazers since the blockbuster January 8 trade with the Everett Silvertips.

He becomes the fifth Blazer to win the award following Micki DuPont (1999-2000), Nolan Baumgartner (1994-95 and 1995-96), Darryl Sydor (1990-91), and Greg Hawgood (1987-88). Hawgood, Baumgartner in 1994-95, and DuPont went on to win the CHL Defenceman of the Year Award.

“I want to thank the Everett Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, my teammates, coaching staff, parents and everyone who supported me this season,” Zellweger said in a statement. “Without them, it would not have been possible.”

Zellweger is the sixth back-to-back winner of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, joining Ty Smith (Spokane Chiefs, 2018-19 and 2019-20), Kris Russell (Medicine Hat Tigers, 2005-06 and 2006-07), Dion Phaneuf (Red Deer Rebels, 2003-04 and 2004-05), Baumgartner, and Glen Wesley (Portland Winter Hawks, 1985-86 West Division and 1986-87 West Division).

Congratulations @OlenZellweger!
Back-to-Back! 🏆🏆 https://t.co/IkpL21A9mm

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) May 9, 2023

The Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. native beat out Christoffer Sedoff of the Red Deer Rebels, Stanislav Svozil of the Regina Pats, and Kevin Korchinski of the Seattle Thunderbirds to win the award this season.

Zellweger will go up against fellow Ducks prospects Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67’s, and Tristen Luneau of the Gatineau Olympiques for this year’s CHL Defenceman of the Year Award.