Mirwald Named B.C. Division Goaltender of the Year

April 4, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced on Thursday morning that Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald has been named the WHL B.C. Division Goaltender of the Year and a finalist for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL's Top Goaltender.

All individual WHL Division Award winners will be eligible for the 2024 WHL Awards, which will be announced from Tuesday, April 30 through Thursday, May 9.

Mirwald had an unforgettable overage season.

He was named the WHL Goaltender of the Week five times and finished the season ranked first in the entire WHL in saves (1723) and first in minutes played (3190). He was tied for third in wins (29) and tied for third in save percentage (.913). He was the biggest reason the Giants were able to secure the sixth seed in the Western Conference, logging a record of 29-22-3-0 in 55 appearances.

According to SportLogiq, the Saskatoon, Sask. product was 1st in the WHL in Goals Saved Above Expected (37.3) in the regular season, well above the second-ranked Harrison Meneghin.

Mirwald was named the Giants MVP at the annual year-end awards and was far and away the winner of the Three Stars of the Year Award, finishing 2023-24 with nine First Star selections, five Second Star selections and six Third Star selections. The 20-year-old recorded 30 or more saves in a game 33 separate times this season and had 40 or more saves on 10 different occasions.

The 6-foot-1 netminder played in his 100th career regular season game to finish off the year on March 23 against Kelowna. In 81 career games with the G-Men, Mirwad's .912 SV% is the third-best in franchise history amongst goalies who have played at least 50 games.

Mirwald was selected by Moose Jaw in the seventh round, 154th overall, in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft before being acquired by Vancouver prior to the 2021-22 season in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026.

Former Giants netminder Jesper Vikman, who is currently with the Henderson Silver Knights, was named the WHL B.C. Division Goaltender of the Year last season.

The other nominees for the 2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Year are as follows:

Central Division - Harrison Meneghin (South Surrey, B.C.), Lethbridge Hurricanes

East Division - Jackson Unger (Calgary, Alta.), Moose Jaw Warriors

U.S. Division - Jan Spunar (Olomouc, Czechia), Portland Winterhawks

Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald (Rob Wilton)	Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald makes a stop (Rob Wilton)	Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald (Rob Wilton)
Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald (Rob Wilton)	Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald (Rob Wilton)

Western Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2024

• Wheat Kings Bid Farewell to Season After Game Four Loss - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Firkus Picks up East Division Player of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Catton named U.S. Division Player of the Year nominee for Four Broncos Memorial Trophy - Spokane Chiefs
• WHL Announces Division Nominees for Four Broncos Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Broncos Geekie Named Central Division Player of the Year - Swift Current Broncos
• Winterhawks Open Round 2 of 2024 WHL Playoffs on Friday, April 12 - Portland Winterhawks
• Yakemchuk Named WHL Central Division Defenceman of the Year - Calgary Hitmen
• Sward Named U.S. Division Defenseman of the Year, Nominee for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy - Wenatchee Wild
• Mateychuk Named East Division Defenceman of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• WHL Announces Division Nominees for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Mirwald Named B.C. Division Goaltender of the Year - Vancouver Giants
• Meneghin Named Central Division Goaltender of the Year - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Jan Špunar Named U.S. Division Goaltender of the Year - Portland Winterhawks
• Unger Wins East Division Goaltender of the Year - Moose Jaw Warriors
• WHL Announces Nominees for Del Wilson Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Chadwick Named Central Division Scholastic Player of the Year - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Berkly Catton Named U.S. Division Nominees for Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy - Spokane Chiefs
• WHL Announces Nominees for Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy - WHL
• Hawks Top Royals 4-1 to Complete Sweep, Advance to Round 2 - Portland Winterhawks
• Chiefs Bow Out Of Playoffs With Hard-Fought 3-2 Defeat To Top-Rated Cougars - Spokane Chiefs
• Blades Back Raiders Up Against Wall After Game 4 Win - Saskatoon Blades
• Rockets Take 3-1 Win Wednesday Against Wenatchee, 3-1 Lead in WHL Playoff Series - Wenatchee Wild
• Geekie's Overtime Winner Sends Broncos to Second Round - Swift Current Broncos
• Rockets Win, 3-1, Over Wild - Kelowna Rockets
• Cougars Edge Chiefs 3-2 and Advance to Western Conference Semi-Finals - Prince George Cougars
• Silvertips' Power Play The Difference In 3-1 Win Over G-Men - Vancouver Giants
• Warriors Take Game 3 in Brandon, Hold 3-0 Series Lead - Moose Jaw Warriors

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