WHL Western Hockey League

Blades' Maier Named WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week

January 7, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Nolan Maier of the Saskatoon Blades has been named the WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week and league nominee for the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 6, 2019.

Maier won all three of his starts this week, sporting a 3-0-0-0 record, 1.65 goals-against-average, and stopped 76 of 81 shots for a 0.938 save percentage as the Blades continued to rise in the East Division, growing their lead in second place.

As the calendars flipped over to 2019, Maier remained dominant with the Blades, stopping 17 of 19 shots in a New Year's Day victory against the Swift Current Broncos. Friday, Maier and the Blades played host to the Regina Pats, topping their divisional rivals by a 2-1 score in overtime. Maier stopped 32 of 33 shots by the Pats, earning first star honours for the game.

Sunday, Maier closed out his week with a 27-save performance in a 5-2 win against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Yorkton, Sask. product was once again named the first star of the game for his efforts as he collected his 21st victory of the season.

Originally selected in the second round, 25th overall, by the Blades in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, Maier has followed up a strong rookie campaign with a 21-8-4-0 record in 34 games this season. He's also maintained a 2.74 GAA, 0.908 SV%, and added two shutouts. The 17-year-old is fourth in the league in victories, ninth in GAA, 13th in SV%, and tied for fourth in shutouts.

The 6-foot-0, 168-pound goaltender who is eligible for the 2019 National Hockey League Draft has appeared in 77 WHL regular season games overall, sporting a 44-25-5-1, 3.06 GAA, 0.901 SV%, and four shutouts. Internationally, Maier was part of Hockey Canada's team that won the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and has also represented his country in the past at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The Blades continue a five-game home stand Tuesday, January 8 (7:00 p.m. CT) against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

WHL Eli Wilson Goaltending Goaltender of the Week/Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week nominee

Dec. 31 - Jan. 6: Nolan Maier, Saskatoon Blades

Dec. 27 - Dec. 30: Dean McNabb, Regina Pats

Dec. 10 - Dec. 16: Mads Sogaard, Medicine Hat Tigers

Dec. 3 - Dec. 9: Dustin Wolf, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 26 - Dec. 2: Jiri Patera, Brandon Wheat Kings

Nov. 19 - Nov. 25: Dustin Wolf, Everett Silvertips

Nov. 12 - Nov. 18: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders

Nov. 5 - Nov. 11: Max Paddock, Regina Pats

Oct. 29 - Nov. 4: Ethan Anders, Red Deer Rebels

Oct. 22 - Oct. 28: Dustin Wolf, Everett Silvertips

Oct. 15 - Oct. 21: Trent Miner, Vancouver Giants

Oct. 8 - Oct. 14: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders

Oct. 1 - Oct. 7: Trent Miner, Vancouver Giants

Sept. 24 - Sept. 30: Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders

Sept. 21 - Sept. 23: Dylan Ferguson, Kamloops Blazers

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