Mirwald Named WHL Goaltender of the Week for 3rd Time

Published on February 12, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release

Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald
(Vancouver Giants, Credit: Rob Wilton)

It's the third time the 20-year-old has snagged the honour this season.

Mirwald went 2-0-0-0 in back-to-back showdowns against Seattle and Wenatchee, putting up a 1.50 goals-against average and .955 save percentage,

as Vancouver continues to claw its way up the WHL standings. The Giants are currently on an eight-game point streak, with a 7-0-1 record during that stretch, and currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference, seven points back of Victoria for fifth with two games in hand.

The second-year Giants netminder held the Seattle Thunderbirds to a single goal in a 3-1 victory on February 9. Mirwald earned first star by turning aside 35 of 36 shots in Kent. It marked the third straight game where he made 35 or more saves.

After allowing two goals in the first period against the Wenatchee Wild the following night, Mirwald slammed the door as the Giants scored seven unanswered to take the win. Mirwald stopped 28 of 30, including a remarkable pad save on Briley Wood as the Wild alternate captain attempted to tie the game with a powerplay blast from below the faceoff dot. With the 7-2 decision, Vancouver remains a perfect 6-0-0-0 on home ice at the Langley Events Centre in 2024.

The Saskatoon, Sask. product is in the midst of an incredible campaign, with a 21-17-2-0 record, 3.17 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. He has faced the most shots of any WHL goaltender this season (1448), made the most saves (1321) and played the second-most minutes (2404). His 21 wins rank fifth and his .912 save percentage ranks seventh in the WHL.

Additionally, according to Sportlogiq, Mirwald leads the league in goals saved above expected, having saved 32.9 more goals than an average WHL goalie would, based on Sportlogiq's expected goals model.

Mirwald is 8-1-1 in his last 10 games and has started 10 of Vancouver's last 12 contests.

The Giants are back in action on Wednesday, February 14 against the Victoria Royals in a battle on the Island, before returning home to host the Western Conference-leading Portland Winterhawks on Friday, February 16 for CMHA Night.

Vancouver Giants goaltender Brett Mirwald (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 February 12, 2024

• Preview: Chiefs At Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
• Winterhawks Weekly: First-Place Hawks Facing Four-Game Week - Portland Winterhawks
• Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
• 2024 NHL Draft-Eligible Forward Laing Named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week - Prince George Cougars
• Mirwald Named WHL Goaltender of the Week for 3rd Time - Vancouver Giants
• WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
• February 12 - Canes Chatter Presented by Peka Rollshutters - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Chiefs Face Rival Americans on TV Saturday Night - Spokane Chiefs
• Hurricanes Sign Owen Nelson - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Broncos Set for RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Nights for Children's Miracle Network - Swift Current Broncos
• Pats Raise over $9,000 for Orange Jersey Project as Part of Indigenous Celebration Night - Regina Pats

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Vancouver Giants Stories

• Giants Fall on the Road, 4-1, to League-Leading Silvertips
• Hood Makes 42 Saves as Giants Suffer 4-2 Loss to Penticton
• Giants Add 18-Year-Old Forward Charko to Roster
• 5 Giants Listed on NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings
• Giants Pick up Point on Sunday in 3-2 Shootout Loss to Wild