WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners
March 13, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that Kelowna Rockets captain Gabriel Szturc has been named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 12, 2023.
The 2023 NHL Draft prospect finished the week with eight points (3G-5A), recording a shootout winner and overtime game-winning goal to help the Rockets collect six of a possible six points this past weekend.
The product of Cesky Tesin, Czechia began his week with a goal and an assist Tuesday, March 7 in a 6-2 setback to the Prince George Cougars.
Szturc, who sits #181 among North American Skaters on the most recent NHL Central Scouting Rankings, collected the shootout winner for Kelowna, also registering five shots on goal Friday, March 10 as the Rockets edged the Vancouver Giants 4-3.
The following evening, Szturc earned First Star honours, scoring twice and adding two helpers as the Rockets defeated the Spokane Chiefs 5-4 in overtime.
The 19-year-old closed out his weekend with two assists, while also winning 15 of his 22 face-off attempts as Kelowna posted a 5-4 road shootout victory against the Tri-City Americans.
This season, Szturc has set new career bests in many offensive categories including goals (21), assists (52), points (73) and power-play markers (12).
His 57.1 winning percentage in the face-off circle this season also ranks eighth among WHL skaters with 600 or more face-off attempts.
Szturc was originally selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the first round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft. In 119 career WHL regular season contests, he has totalled 114 points (37G-77A).
Gabriel Szturc and the Kelowna Rockets are next in action Wednesday, March 15 when they pay a visit to the Prince George Cougars (7:00 p.m. PT, CN Centre).
BLAZERS NETMINDER KIEPER NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
The Western Hockey League announced today that Kamloops Blazers netminder Matthew Kieper has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending March 12, 2023.
The product of Winnipeg, Man. posted a 2-0-0-0 record for Kamloops this past week to go along with a 0.50 goals-against average, .981 save percentage and one shutout.
Kieper began his week by turning aside 28 shots Wednesday, March 8 as the Blazers defeated the Everett Silvertips 7-1.
The 19-year-old then stopped all 25 shots he faced Saturday, March 11, earning his first shutout of the 2022-23 season in a 6-0 Kamloops win over the Vancouver Giants.
Since being acquired by the Blazers in January, Kieper has collected a 7-1-0-0 record, along with a 2.58 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in nine appearances.
Kieper was originally selected by the Regina Pats in the 3rd round of the 2019 WHL Draft and holds a career 30-23-1-2 record, 3.70 goals-against average, .879 save percentage and two shutouts over 64 career WHL regular season contests with Regina and Kamloops.
Matthew Kieper and the Kamloops Blazers are next in action Wednesday, March 15 when they play host to the Victoria Royals (7:00 p.m. PT, Sandman Centre).
Western Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2023
- Winterhawks Announce Home Playoff Games on March 31 and April 1 - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Weekly: Points Piling Up; Hall of Fame Induction Ahead - Portland Winterhawks
- Szturc Named WHL Player of the Week - Kelowna Rockets
- Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
- WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners - WHL
- March 13 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Special Pat Quinn Jerseys to Return for St Patrick's Day - Vancouver Giants
- Pyne Academic Player of the Month for February - Regina Pats
- Marek Alscher Signs NHL Entry-Level Contract with Florida Panthers - Portland Winterhawks
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