Sarkenov Named to Team Kazakhstan for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship
December 16, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release
Spokane Chiefs forward Asanali Sarkenov has been named to Kazakhstan's National Junior Team for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Ontario. The tournament is set to take place from December 26 to January 5.
In 21 games so far this season, Sarkenov has logged 15 points on six goals and nine assists, including two-goal nights on December 13 against the Seattle Thunderbirds and November 30 against the Portland Winterhawks. The six-foot-four winger is within the top ten Chiefs scorers and their second-highest scoring rookie behind Mathis Preston. He's also ranked within the top 15 rookies in the Western Hockey League.
Sarkenov returns to his national team after putting up four goals and an assist over four games in this year's IIHF World U18 Championship in Finland, highlighted by a hat trick against Team Canada.
It's Kazakhstan's first year back in the IIHF World Junior Championship since 2019-20 after they won gold at last year's D1A World Junior Championship and were promoted. In the D1 tournament, Kazakhstan has four gold medals (2024, 2018, 2015, 2007) and six silver medals (2023, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2006, 2005).
Sarkenov and Chiefs' captain Berkly Catton, who is on Canada's National Junior Team roster, will miss the next seven Chiefs games while they are away at the tournament, including tomorrow's road match-up against the Portland Winterhawks.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2024
- Winterhawks Weekly: Hawks Sweep Three-Game Week, Topple Two of the West's Best - Portland Winterhawks
- Rockets Take On Cougars In Final Game Before Christmas Break - Kelowna Rockets
- In the Chutes - December 16 - Swift Current Broncos
- Sarkenov Named to Team Kazakhstan for 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship - Spokane Chiefs
- Kamloops Blazers Unveil Holiday Season Offerings and Exciting Events - Kamloops Blazers
- Pavlik Headed to Moose Jaw - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Spokane Chiefs to Host 3rd Annual Neurodiversity Awareness Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Super Sawchyn: Gracyn Sawchyn Named WHL Player of the Week After Eight Point Weekend - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Eight Points in Two Games? This Panthers Prospect Makes It Look Easy - WHL
- Keaton Verhoeff Named WHL Rookie of the Week - Victoria Royals
- Silvertips Close out First Half with 4-1 Win over Tri-City - Everett Silvertips
- Dowhaniuk Commits to University of Alaska Fairbanks - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Will McLaughlin Inks WHL Development & Scholarship Agreement with Portland - Portland Winterhawks
- Spokane Chiefs Hosting 3rd Annual Neurodiversity Awareness Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Giants End First Half on a High with 5-1 Home Win over Tri-City - Vancouver Giants
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 Spokane Chiefs Stories
- Cristall Given One-Game Suspension by WHL After Sunday's Game at Vancouver
- WHL Names First All-Star Teams for 2024-25
- WHL Names Second All-Star Teams for 2024-25
- Chiefs Forward Preston Named WHL Rookie of the Week
- Preston's First Career WHL Hat Trick Powers Chiefs to 7-5 Win in Game 2
