2024 NHL Draft-Eligible Forward McKenzie Named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week
May 13, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release
Moose Jaw, Sask. - Moose Jaw Warriors winger Pavel McKenzie has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending May 12, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
This is the first time the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward has earned the recognition.
The 18-year-old netted his second goal of the 2024 WHL Playoffs, helping the Warriors seal a victory in Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series against the Portland Winterhawks.
With Moose Jaw holding a narrow 1-0 advantage in the second period of Game 2, McKenzie doubled the lead with a deceptive wrist shot from the high slot, courtesy a centering pass from Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Martin Rysavy. The tally would stand as the game-winner as Moose Jaw went on to a 5-1 victory to sweep the first two games of the Championship Series at Portland's Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Cumberland House, Sask. product has two goals and three assists for five points in 18 postseason matches.
McKenzie settled into a strong depth role with the Warriors in his first WHL regular season campaign, lighting the lamp 15 times and dishing 21 helpers for 36 points in 63 games.
The 6-foot, 170-pound winger made the Warriors as a free agent after going unselected in the WHL Prospects Draft. He caught the attention of General Manager Jason Ripplinger and Head Coach Mark O'Leary after a strong showing with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Yorkton Terriers.
McKenzie is ranked 176th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The Warriors return home to host the Winterhawks in Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series on Tuesday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ST.
2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week
May 6, 2024: Hunter Laing, Prince George Cougars
April 29, 2024: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
April 22, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
April 15, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
April 9, 2024: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
April 1, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
March 25, 2024: Reese Hamilton, Calgary Hitmen
March 18, 2024: Dimitri Fortin, Moose Jaw Warriors
March 11, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
March 4, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
February 26, 2024: Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants
February 20, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
February 12, 2024: Hunter Laing, Prince George Cougars
February 5, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
January 29, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 22, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 15, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 8, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 2, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
December 18, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
December 11, 2023: Max Curran, Tri-City Americans
December 4, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)
October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos
October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)
September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild
Western Hockey League Stories from May 13, 2024
- Winterhawks Weekly: The Big Stage - Portland Winterhawks
- Prospect Profile: Mason Mykichuk - Tri-City Americans
- Silvertips Champion Speech Apraxia Awareness with Grace's Bridge to Communication - Everett Silvertips
- Warriors' McKenzie Keeps Cumberland House Cree Nation Close to Heart Through WHL Championship Journey - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Kraken Prospect Firkus Named Tempo WHL Player of the Week - Moose Jaw Warriors
- 2024 NHL Draft-Eligible Forward McKenzie Named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Jan Špunar Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - Portland Winterhawks
- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- Capitals Re-Assign Suzdalev to AHL's Hershey Bears - Saskatoon Blades
- The Long Night: 2007 WHL Championship - Medicine Hat Tigers
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