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WHL Announces Weekly Award Winners

November 13, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Gabe Klassen of the Portland Winterhawks has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 12, 2023.

Klassen, who serves as captain of the Winterhawks, recorded nine points (4G-5A) and a plus-7 rating in two games as the Winterhawks went 2-0-0-0 this past week.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound centre from Prince Albert, Sask., started the week with a five-point (2G-3A) performance Wednesday, November 8 as the Winterhawks defeated the Kamloops Blazers by a 7-3 score at the Sandman Centre.

Klassen's first goal of the game came 13:43 into the second period, giving the Winterhawks a commanding 4-1 lead. That goal went on to stand as the game-winning tally. Klassen added his second goal of the game 3:42 into the third period, putting Portland in front 5-1. He chipped in with two primary assists on third-period goals by Josh Davies and Luke Schelter, with a secondary assist coming on a first-period power-play goal from Luca Cagnoni. Klassen also went 15-for-24 (62.5 per cent) in the faceoff circle was named Second Star of the game.

The 20-year-old veteran wrapped up his week with a four-point (2G-2A) effort Friday, November 10 as the Winterhawks secured a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre.

Klassen opened the scoring 11:21 into the first period, recording a power-play goal. He scored his second goal of the game late in the second period and added two primary assists on a pair of shorthanded goals by James Stefan - one in the first period and the other in the third period. Klassen went 13-for-22 (59.1 per cent) in the faceoff circle and was named First Star of the game.

Through 17 games, Klassen has collected 31 points (12G-19A), which is tied for third in the WHL in scoring. His plus-16 rating is fourth best in the WHL.

Klassen is riding a three-game point streak, having notched 11 points (4G-7A) since Saturday, November 4 at Lethbridge. In 17 outings, he has produced nine multi-point performances, including six games with three points or more.

The Winterhawks have collected points in five consecutive outings (4-0-0-1), dating back to Wednesday, November 1 and a 6-3 win at Medicine Hat. With a record of 12-4-0-1 (25 points), Portland sits first in the WHL's U.S. Division and second in the WHL's Western Conference.

Originally selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the first round (19th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Klassen has scored 190 points (95G-95A) in 198 career WHL Regular Season games. He was named to the WHL's U.S. Division First All-Star Team in 2022-23, following a career-best season that saw him register 69 points (35G-34A) in 64 games.

Following a nine-game road trip, Gabe Klassen and the Winterhawks return to Portland for a three-game homestand, beginning Friday, November 17 (7 p.m. PT) when they host the Prince Albert Raiders.

2023-24 Tempo WHL Player of the Week

November 6, 2023: Trevor Wong, Saskatoon Blades

October 30, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)

October 23, 2023: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)

October 16, 2023: Ryder Ritchie, Prince Albert Raiders

October 10, 2023: Easton Armstrong, Wenatchee Wild

October 2, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)

September 25, 2023: Zac Funk, Prince George Cougars

TIGERS NETMINDER MAY NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Medicine Hat Tigers netminder Evan May has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 12, 2023.

The 19-year-old product of Nanaimo, B.C., went 1-0-0-0 with a 0.92 goals-against average and .971 save percentage in one appearance this past week.

May's lone appearance came Friday, November 10 as he backstopped the Tigers to a 2-1 shootout victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound May turned aside 34 of the 35 shots sent his way, including 16 of 17 shots in the second period. During the shootout, he rejected four of five Moose Jaw attempts to secure the win for Medicine Hat. May was named Third Star of the game for his performance.

Through 17 games this season, May is 8-4-2-0 with a 3.26 GAA, .890 SV% and one shutout. He has earned points in three straight games (2-0-1-0) dating back to Friday, November 3 versus Lethbridge. In each of those three games, May has made 30 or more saves.

The Tigers have collected points in five straight games (4-0-1-0) and are 7-2-1-0 over their last 10 games. With a record of 13-5-2-0 (28 points), Medicine Hat is first in the WHL.

Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the 11th round (240th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, May is in his second season with the Tigers. Over 38 career WHL Regular Season appearances, he is 13-13-4-0 with a 3.34 GAA, .889 SV% and one shutout.

Evan May and the Medicine Hat Tigers hit the road for two games, beginning Tuesday, November 14 (6 p.m. MT) when they visit the Swift Current Broncos.

2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Week

November 6, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

October 30, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

October 23, 2023: Daniel Hauser, Wenatchee Wild

October 16, 2023: Jan Špunar, Portland Winterhawks

October 10, 2023: Kyle Kelsey, Red Deer Rebels

October 2, 2023: Ethan Chadwick, Everett Silvertips

September 25, 2023: Max Hildebrand, Prince Albert Raiders

HITMEN FORWARD KINDEL NAMED KAL TIRE WHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Calgary Hitmen forward Ben Kindel has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending November 12, 2023.

The 16-year-old product of Coquitlam, B.C., recorded six points (2G-4A) and a plus-4 rating in two games as the Hitmen went 2-0-0-0 this past week.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound right winger notched four points (1G-3A) Friday, November 10 as the Hitmen knocked off the Edmonton Oil Kings by a 6-1 score at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Kindel opened the scoring, registering his fourth goal of the season 2:53 into the first period. He then contributed a primary assist on a power-play goal by Oliver Tulk that went on to stand as the game-winning goal. Kindel added a secondary assist on a second-period goal from Carter Yakemchuk before finishing the night with another primary assist on a third-period goal by Dax Williams. Kindel was named Second Star of the game for his performance.

Saturday, November 11, Kindel recorded two more points (1G-1A) as the Hitmen skated to a 10-2 victory over the Oil Kings at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Once again, Kindel struck early, finding the back of the net 10:45 into the first period to give Calgary a 2-0 lead. He provided the lone assist on a second-period goal from Tulk, which put the Hitmen in front 4-2 at the time.

Through 19 games, Kindel has secured 20 points (5G-15A) and sits fourth among all Hitmen in scoring. His 20 points are good enough to sit tied for third in scoring among all WHL rookies, while his 15 assists are best among all WHL rookies.

Kindel is currently riding a four-game point-scoring streak, collecting eight points (2G-6A) dating back to Friday, November 3 versus Everett. Since Sunday, October 22, he has only been held off the scoresheet once, tallying 15 points (3G-12A) in eight games.

The rookie has enjoyed five multi-point performances so far this season.

Originally selected by the Hitmen in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Kindel made his WHL debut in 2022-23, skating in one regular season game.

Ben Kindel and the Calgary Hitmen return to action Friday, November 17 (7 p.m. MT) when they host the Red Deer Rebels at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week

November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers

October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)

October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos

October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild

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