WHL Western Hockey League

WHL Announces Weekly Awards

Published on October 30, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus of the Moose Jaw Warriors has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 29, 2023.

Firkus, who was selected by the Kraken in the second round (35th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, recorded nine points (6G-3A) in four games as the Warriors went 3-1-0-0 this past week.

This is the second time Firkus has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week during the 2023-24 campaign. He was previously recognized Monday, October 2.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound centre from Irma, Alta., started the week with a three-point effort (1G-2A) Tuesday, October 24 as the Warriors knocked off the Saskatoon Blades by a 3-1 score. Firkus provided primary assists on goals by Atley Calvert and Pavel McKenzie before sealing the victory with an empty-net goal. He was named Second Star of the game.

The 19-year-old followed up with two more points (1G-1A) Thursday, October 26 as the Warriors dropped a 4-3 decision to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Firkus was once again named the Second Star of the game.

Saturday, October 28, Firkus registered the game-winning goal as the Warriors defeated the Prince George Cougars by a 5-1 margin.

Wrapping up the week, Firkus recorded his second hat trick of the season Sunday, October 29 as the Warriors edged the Prince Albert Raiders by a 5-4 tally. After opening the scoring 4:01 into the game, Firkus added a shorthanded goal midway through the first period. His third goal of the night came in the late stages of the second period and went on to stand as the game-winner. He was named First Star of the contest.

Winners of two straight and having gone 7-3-0-0 over their previous 10 games, the Warriors sit atop the WHL's Eastern Conference with a record of 10-6-0-0.

The steady play of Firkus has him tied for second in scoring in the WHL with 29 points. His 16 goals are also good for second in the League. With three game-winning goals to his credit, Firkus sits in a tie for second across the WHL. He also leads the WHL with four first goals and three insurance goals.

Firkus has registered at least one point in 13 of 14 appearances so far this season. He finishes the month of October riding a 10-game point-scoring streak (22 points) and a six-game goal-scoring streak (11 goals).

Originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Firkus has collected 213 points (99G-114A) in 181 career WHL Regular Season games. He was named to the WHL's East Division Second All-Star Team in 2021-22.

Jagger Firkus and the Moose Jaw Warriors return to action Friday, November 3 (7 p.m. MT) when they visit the Edmonton Oil Kings at Rogers Place.

2023-24 Tempo WHL Player of the Week

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

COUGARS NETMINDER RAVENSBERGEN NAMED WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Prince George Cougars rookie netminder Joshua Ravensbergen has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 29, 2023.

Ravensbergen, 16, went 1-0-0-0 with a perfect 0.00 goals-against average, 1.000 save percentage and one shutout this past week.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound puckstopper took to the crease Sunday, October 29, turning aside all 23 shots faced as the Prince George Cougars collected a 4-0 victory over the Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.

The product of North Vancouver, B.C., has enjoyed a quality start to his WHL career, appearing in five games with a record of 3-1-0-0, a 2.48 GAA, .905 SV% and two shutouts.

Ravensbergen recorded his first career WHL shutout in his first career WHL appearance back on Friday, September 22, blanking the Tri-City Americans on opening night of the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season.

Having gone 7-3-0-0 over their previous 10 games, the Prince George Cougars sit first atop the WHL's Western Conference with a record of 10-4-0-0.

Unselected in the WHL Draft, Ravensbergen was signed to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement Monday, April 24, 2023. Prior to joining the Cougars, he spent three seasons with the Vancouver NW Hawks AAA program, going 15-2-3 with a 2.10 GAA and two shutouts at the U18 level in 2022-23.

Joshua Ravensbergen and the Prince George Cougars continue their East Division road swing Wednesday, November 1 (7 p.m. CT) when they visit the Brandon Wheat Kings.

2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Week

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

SILVERTIPS FORWARD MIETTINEN NAMED KAL TIRE WHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 29, 2023.

The 17-year-old product of Helsinki, Finland, recorded five points (1G-4A) in three games this week as the Silvertips went 2-0-1-0 against U.S. Division opponents.

Identified as a 'C' rated player by NHL Central Scouting in its Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2024 NHL Draft, Miettinen started his week Wednesday, October 25 with a three-point (1G-2A) performance as the Silvertips skated past the Tri-City Americans by a 6-2 score. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound left winger provided a primary assist on the game-winning goal by Dominik Rymon and added another primary helper on Jesse Heslop's third-period tally. Miettinen also scored his third goal of the season in the contest and was named Second Star of the game.

Friday, October 27, Miettinen registered a secondary assist and six shots on goal as the Silvertips fell to the Wenatchee Wild by a 4-3 score in overtime.

Wrapping up the weekend, Miettinen secured another secondary assist as the Silvertips cruised to a 6-2 victory over the Spokane Chiefs. He also went 11-for-22 (50 per cent) in the faceoff circle.

With eight points (3G-5A) through 13 games, Miettinen is tied for fifth in scoring among all Silvertips skaters.

Miettinen is currently riding a four-game point-scoring streak, having registered six points (1G-5A) since Sunday, October 22.

Having collected points in three consecutive games (2-0-1-0), the Silvertips sit fourth in the WHL's Western Conference with a record of 7-5-1-0.

Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the first round (30th overall) of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Miettinen made his WHL debut Saturday, September 23, scoring once in a 5-3 Everett win versus the Victoria Royals.

Julius Miettinen and the Everett Silvertips begin a four-game swing through the WHL's Central Division Wednesday, November 1 (7 p.m. MT) when they visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week

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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Western Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2023


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