Avalanche prospect Stefan Elliott has been awarded the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Defenseman of the Year, the league announced today at the 2011 WHL Awards Luncheon in Calgary. Elliott, 20, edged fellow Avalanche prospect Tyson Barrie for the honor. Elliott led all WHL defensemen with 31 goals and tied for first among blueliners with 81 points in 71 games for the Saskatoon Blades. The Vancouver, B.C., native led the entire league in game-winning goals (12). “It’s a great honor to be the recipient of this award,” said Elliott, who was also nominated for the WHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. “I would like to congratulate all the other nominees and award winners, especially our head coach Lorne Molleken and Tyson (Barrie) for being nominated. I would like to thank my teammates, without them I wouldn’t be here. I’d also like to thank the WHL for providing me the opportunity to play in this league and to develop as a hockey player.”