Western Hockey League got it right

The Western Hockey League got it right when announcing the finalists for rookie of the year in the respective conferences.
Both Kelowna Rockets forward Shane McColgan (Western Conference) and Red Deer Rebels phenom Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Eastern Conference) had sensational rookie seasons by putting up impressive offensive totals, and doing so at just sixteen.
These two players are the future of the WHL, and should be marketed in such a way to attract more American kids thanks to McColgan's success, while showing Western Canadian kids, thanks to Nugent-Hopkins, that they too can excel in major junior, even in their first year of junior eligibility.
Vancouver Giants fans may be sour that 19 year-old defenceman Kevin Connaughton was not given the Western Conference nod for rookie of the year, but I argue against that selection.
Without question, Connaughton's season was solid, but a three year difference in physical and mental maturity as compared to a 16 year-old player is great. Connaughton should be an impact player at 19 and should garner top minutes. For a 16 year-old to be an impact player and earn those minutes is far more impressive.
My second argument for McColgan or Nugent-Hopkins being named rookie of the year was their commitment to the WHL at a young age. Both players could have taken another path towards a pro career, but at a young age believed major junior hockey was the best fit for them. That's not an easy decision to make for any teenager and their family.
Connaughton, much like former Rocket Chuck Kobasew jumped to the WHL at 19, and the league was/is better for it. But both used the WHL as an alternative, not a first choice, in the path towards a pro career. The league opens their arms to these players, and rightfully so, but the commitment level that young players make to the league should not be ignored.
The selection of 16 year-old's that had exceptional rookie seasons is again another example of the Western Hockey League getting it right.