Špunar Named WHL Goaltender of the Month
Published on May 1, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to recognize goaltender Jan Špunar, who was today named WHL Goaltender of the Month for April. The league's announcement follows below.
This is the second time this season Špunar has earned the monthly recognition, having previously won for September/October.
The 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder posted an 8-1-0-0 record throughout April with a 2.28 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and a shutout, helping the Portland Winterhawks advance to the Western Conference Championship for the first time since 2015.
The 19-year-old was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this campaign on April 22 after going 2-0-0-0 with a 1.32 goals-against average, a .959 save percentage and a 27-save shutout to complete a sweep of the Everett Silvertips in Round Two of the 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
One of Špunar's most impressive postseason performances came against the Silvertips in Game 3, where he stopped a postseason-high 44 of 47 shots.
Špunar has an overall record of 10-1-0-0 in the postseason, making the third-most saves (304) and playing the second-most minutes (673).
He's also assisted two Portland goals.
The Olomouc, Czechia product is nominated for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as WHL Goaltender of the Year after a dominant regular season that saw him post a 25-6-2-1 record, a 2.12 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Portland selected Špunar with the 52nd pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.
The Winterhawks look to extend their series lead in Game 4 of the Western Conference Championship against the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. PST at Portland's Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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