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WHL Prince George Cougars

Cougars First Half Year in Review

December 22, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


The Prince George Cougars have left an indelible mark on the first half of the 2023-2024 Western Hockey League season, showcasing their prowess on the ice and asserting their dominance in the BC Division and Western Conference. With a commanding record of 24-9-0-0, the Cats stand at the summit of the WHL, tied for 1st place and poised for even greater achievements in the games to come.

ALL GOALS, ALL THE TIME

The Cougars have been an offensive juggernaut, leading the WHL with an impressive 152 goals. Surpassing their own record of 290 goals set in the 2022-2023 season seems within reach, given their remarkable scoring pace.

WINNING WAYS

Boasting the most wins in the WHL with 24 victories, the Cougars' success extends beyond the numbers. Their resilience is evident in a 6-2-0-0 record in one-goal games, including thrilling overtime and shootout triumphs. Notably, the team remains perfect at 16-0 when leading after two periods.

'SPECIAL' SPECIAL TEAMS

Prince George excels on both ends of special teams, claiming the league's top power play and penalty kill. The power play operates at an impressive 30.9%, with standout performances from forward Zac Funk, who leads with 19 power-play goals. The penalty kill stands at 86.6%, including 10 short-handed goals, underscoring the team's prowess in all facets of the game.

FUNKY DOMINATION:

Zac Funk, the 20-year-old forward from Coldstream, BC, has been a force to be reckoned with, leading the WHL in goals (36), power-play goals (19), and points (63). His five hat-tricks top the charts in the CHL, making his final junior hockey season memorable.

TO NEW HEIDTS:

Veteran Riley Heidt, tied with Funk at 63 points, is making waves in 2023-2024. The Saskatoon native is on the cusp of breaking franchise records, just seven assists away from the all-time franchise assist record and 13 points shy of the all-time points record.

THE SUPER ROOKIES:

Rookies Joshua Ravensbergen and Terik Parascak have been instrumental in the Cougars' success. Ravensbergen, undrafted, boasts a stellar record in goal, while Parascak, a fourth-round pick, has accumulated an impressive 52 points in 33 games.

THORNTON'S TRIUMPHS:

Captain Hudson Thornton has etched his name in Cougars history, becoming the all-time point-getter and power-play scorer among defensemen. The Winnipeg native's leadership and on-ice contributions have been instrumental in the team's success.

WORLD JUNIOR BOUND

Ondrej Becher and Viliam Kmec are set to represent the Prince George Cougars at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, showcasing the team's international presence.

As the Cougars gear up for the second half of the season, their eyes are set on even greater achievements. Fans can catch the action as the team returns to the ice on December 27th and 28th, hosting the Edmonton Oil Kings and facing off against the Calgary Hitmen, respectively. The Cats are hungry for more success, and the thrilling journey continues.

Check out the Prince George Cougars Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 22, 2023


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