Sports stats



WHL Western Hockey League

WHL Names 2023-24 First All-Star Teams

March 26, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today the First All-Star Teams for the 2023-24 WHL season.

WHL Division All-Stars are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender - Brett Mirwald (Saskatoon Sask.) - Vancouver Giants

Defence - Hudson Thornton (Winnipeg, Man.) - Prince George Cougars

Defence - Justin Kipkie (Calgary, Alta.) - Victoria Royals

Forward - Zac Funk (Coldstream, B.C.) - Prince George Cougars

Forward - Riley Heidt (Saskatoon, Sask.) - Prince George Cougars

Forward - Tij Iginla (Lake Country, B.C.) - Kelowna Rockets

WHL Central Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender - Harrison Meneghin (South Surrey, B.C.) - Lethbridge Hurricanes

Defence - Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary, Alta.) - Calgary Hitmen

Defence - Owen Pickering (St. Adolphe, Man.) - Swift Current Broncos

Forward - Conor Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) - Swift Current Broncos

Forward - Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, Yukon) - Medicine Hat Tigers

Forward - Kai Uchacz (DeWinton, Alta.) - Red Deer Rebels

WHL East Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender - Jackson Unger (Calgary, Alta.) - Moose Jaw Warriors

Defence - Tanner Molendyk (McBride, B.C.) - Saskatoon Blades

Defence - Denton Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.) - Moose Jaw Warriors

Forward - Trevor Wong (Vancouver, B.C.) - Saskatoon Blades

Forward - Jagger Firkus (Irma, Alta.) - Moose Jaw Warriors

Forward - Egor Sidorov (Vitebsk, Belarus) - Saskatoon Blades

WHL U.S. Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender - Jan Spunar (Olomouc, Czechia) - Portland Winterhawks

Defence - Graham Sward (Abbotsford, B.C.) - Wenatchee Wild

Defence - Luca Cagnoni (Burnaby, B.C.) - Portland Winterhawks

Forward - Berkly Catton (Saskatoon, Sask.) - Spokane Chiefs

Forward - Gabe Klassen (Prince Albert, Sask.) - Portland Winterhawks

Forward - Kenta Isogai (Nagano, Japan) - Wenatchee Wild

WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender - Brett Mirwald (Vancouver Giants): The 20-year-old product of Saskatoon, Sask., logged career highs in appearances (55), wins (29), and shutouts (2), while helping backstop the Giants to a sixth-place finish the WHL's Western Conference. Originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the seventh round (154th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Mirwald owns a career record of 42-43-8-1 with a 3.23 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and two shutouts in 100 WHL Regular Season appearances.

Defence - Hudson Thornton (Prince George Cougars): The 20-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., finished fourth in scoring among all WHL defenders, tallying 74 points (18G-56A) in 68 contests. Originally selected by the Cougars in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Thornton has recorded 196 points (56G-140A) in 207 career WHL Regular Season games.

Defence - Justin Kipkie (Victoria Royals): The 18-year-old prospect of the Arizona Coyotes produced a career season with 52 points (16G-36A) in 67 games, good enough to finish fifth in scoring among all Royals skaters. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound product of Calgary, Alta., was originally selected by the Royals in the sixth round (126th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. In 142 career WHL Regular Season outings, he has registered 85 points (24G-61A).

Forward - Zac Funk (Prince George Cougars): The 20-year-old prospect of the Washington Capitals fired home a WHL-leading 67 goals this season. His 123 points were second among all WHL skaters. The outstanding campaign from the 6-foot, 210-pound product of Coldstream, B.C., earned him a free agent contract with the Washington Capitals on March 1, 2024. Named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on September 25, 2023, Funk started the season strong and never slowed. He was also recognized as the WHL's Player of the Month for September/October. Originally selected by the Calgary Hitmen in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Funk notched 227 points (119G-108A) in 228 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Riley Heidt (Prince George Cougars): The 19-year-old prospect of the Minnesota Wild was a force to be reckoned with in 2023-24, finishing third in WHL scoring with 117 points (37G-80A) in 66 games. Heidt's 80 helpers were second best in the WHL. From October 11 through November 27, 2023, Heidt strung together a point streak of 16 games, registering 33 points (8G-25A) along the way. On February 26, 2024, the 5-foot-11, 182-pound centre was recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week. Originally selected by the Prince George Cougars in the first round (second overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Heidt has tallied 280 points (85G-195A) in 221 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets): The 17-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., finished second in scoring among all Rockets with 84 points (47G-37A) in 62 games. His 47 goals were tied for sixth among all WHL skaters. Listed 11th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 186-pound power forward's breakout campaign has him primed to hear his name called early in the NHL's June draft. He was recognized as the Tempo WHL Player of the Week on December 18, 2023. Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Iginla has recorded 103 points (53G-50A) in 115 career WHL Regular Season games.

WHL Central Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender - Harrison Meneghin (Lethbridge Hurricanes): The 19-year-old product of South Surrey, B.C., enjoyed a career campaign, logging a record of 27-20-5-0 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and three shutouts across 53 appearances. Listed 26th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, Meneghin was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week on January 2, 2024. Unselected in the WHL Draft, Meneghin was signed by the Hurricanes to a WHL Scholarship and Development in September 2021. Over 90 career WHL Regular Season appearances, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound puckstopper is 46-32-7-2 with a 2.72 GAA, .913 SV% and four shutouts.

Defence - Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary Hitmen): The 18-year-old homegrown product from Calgary reached the 30-goal plateau in 2023-24, tallying 71 points in 66 games. Yakemchuk's output was good enough to finish fifth in scoring among all WHL defencemen. Yakemchuk was a steady presence on the Calgary blueline all season long. His role as a catalyst on offense saw him recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 29, 2024. Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 194-pound rearguard is listed sixth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scoutings midterm rankings. Originally selected by the Hitmen in the third round (65th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Yakemchuk has recorded 131 points (53G-78A) in 189 WHL Regular Season contest.

Defence - Owen Pickering (Swift Current Broncos): The 20-year-old prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins produced 46 points (7G-39A) in 59 contests this season, leading all Broncos blueliners in scoring. Selected by the Penguins in the first round (21st overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Pickering has notched 133 points (27G-106A) in 205 career WHL Regular Season contests. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound defenceman was originally selected by the Broncos in the ninth round (177th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft.

Forward - Conor Geekie (Swift Current Broncos): The 19-year-old prospect of the Arizona Coyotes arrival in Swift Current helped the Broncos surge during the second half en route to claiming the franchise's first Central Division title since 1995-96. Geekie recorded 50 points (23G-27A) in 29 games as a member of the Broncos, adding to the 49 points (20G-29A) he logged in 26 games as a member of the Wenatchee Wild. With 99 points (43G-56A) to his credit through 55 games, the product of Strathclair, Man., finished 11th in scoring among all WHL players. As a member of the Wild, Geekie was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on December 4, 2023. Originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE in the first round (second overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Geekie has posted 269 points (111G-158A) in 215 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers): The 16-year-old product of Whitehorse, Yukon, captured the attention of the hockey world by erupting for 97 points (34G-63A) in 61 games. Having only turned 16 on December 20, 2023, McKenna's output rivalled that of a 16-year-old Connor Bedard, who secured 100 points (51G-49A) in 62 games with the Regina Pats during the 2021-22 season. The 6-foot, 165-pound left winger was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 8, 2024. He was also named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week on back-to-back occasions - January 22 and January 29, 2024. Originally selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers with the first-overall pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Forward - Kai Uchacz (Red Deer Rebels): The 20-year-old product of DeWinton, Alta., secured his second consecutive 80-point campaign by recording 81 points (42G-39A) in 68 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Uchacz enjoyed a 12-game point streak from October 27 through November 28, 2023, tallying 18 points (10G-8A). Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (10th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Uchacz has collected 209 points (109G-100A) in 245 career WHL Regular Season games.

WHL East Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender - Jackson Unger (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., led the WHL in wins with 35 this season. In 54 appearances, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound puckstopper went 35-15-0-2 with a 3.08 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and three shutouts. Eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, Unger is listed 18th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings. Unger was recognized as the Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week on December 4, 2023. Originally selected by the Warriors in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Unger owns a career record of 58-38-0-2 with a 3.50 GAA and four shutouts.

Defence - Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades): The 19-year-old prospect of the Nashville Predators produced 56 points (10G-46A) in 50 games, representing career bests. Selected by the Predators in the first round (24th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the product of McBride, B.C., has recorded 113 points (22G-91A) in 189 career WHL Regular Season games. The 6-foot-, 181-pound defenceman was originally selected by the Blades in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.

Defence - Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old prospect of the Columbus Blue Jackets logged a second consecutive season of 65 points or more from the blueline, finishing the 2023-24 campaign with 75 points (17G-58A) in only 52 games. With 215 points (41G-174A) to his credit through 203 career WHL Regular Season games, Mateychuk established a new Warriors record for career points by a defenceman, surpassing Nathan Paetsch, who held the record since 2003. Over the course of the season, Mateychuk put together a 23-game point streak from October 10 throuh December 8, 2023, managing 35 points (6G-29A) in the process. The product of Dominion City, Man., was originally selected by the Warriors in the first round (11th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft.

Forward - Trevor Wong (Saskatoon Blades): The 20-year-old product of Vancouver, B.C., led the WHL with an impressive 89 assists during the 2023-24 season. With 101 points to his name, Wong finished tied for ninth in scoring among all WHL players. From December 1, 2023 through January 5, 2024, the 5-foot-9, 158-pound centre enjoyed a 10-game point streak, tallying 24 points (5G-19A). Originally selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the first round (18th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Wong has recorded 260 points (72G-188A) in 265 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old prospect of the Seattle Kraken served as a one-man highlight machine in 2023-24, claiming the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's Top Scorer after registering 126 points (61G-65A) in 63 games. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound product of Irma, Alta., was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on three occasions - October 2 and October 30, 2023, as well as most recently on March 25, 2024. The crafty pivot recorded the WHL's longest point scoring streak this regular season, stretching 51 points (19G-32A) across 26 games from November 25, 2023 through February 17, 2024. Originally selected by the Warriors in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Firkus owns 310 points (144G-166A) in 230 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Egor Sidorov (Saskatoon Blades): The 19-year-old prospect of the Anaheim Ducks was one of five WHL players to reach the 50-goal plateau in 2023-24, waiting until his final shift of the regular season to hit the mark. With 88 points (50G-38A) in 66 games, Sidorov established new career bests in all major offensive categories. The product of Vitebsk, Belarus, was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on February 5, 2024. Selected by the Blades in the first round (20th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Sidorov has notched 199 points (113G-86A) in 177 career WHL Regular Season games.

WHL U.S. Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender - Jan Spunar (Portland Winterhawks): The 19-year-old product of Olomouc, Czechia, finished his second WHL season with a record of 25-6-2-1, including a 2.12 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts. The 6-foot-3, 199-pound puckstopper was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week on October 16, 2023. Originally selected by the Winterhawks in the first round (52nd overall) of the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Spunar owns a career record of 42-13-4-2 with a 2.35 GAA, .910 SV% and two shutouts.

Defence - Graham Sward (Wenatchee Wild): The 20-year-old prospect of the Colorado Avalanche finished second in scoring among all WHL blueliners, recording 81 points (15G-66A) in 66 games. His efforts were worthy of Tempo WHL Player of the Week recognition on February 20, 2024. From September 29 through November 4, 2023, the product of Abbotsford, B.C., logged 27 points (5G-22A) across a 15-game point streak. Originally selected by the Spokane Chiefs in the first round (17th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 191-pound rearguard has earned 180 points (33G-147A) in 250 career WHL Regular Season games.

Defence - Luca Cagnoni (Portland Winterhawks): Passed over in the WHL Draft, the 19-year-old prospect of the San Jose Sharks is a poster boy for perseverance after leading all WHL defencemen in scoring with an eye-popping 90 points (18G-72A) in 65 games this season. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound blueliner was recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 22, 2024. Selected by the Sharks in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the product of Burnaby, B.C., has tallied 193 points (44G-149A) in 205 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Berkly Catton (Spokane Chiefs): The 18-year-old product of Saskatoon, Sask., showed why he is a top-rated prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft, finishing fourth in WHL scoring with 116 points (54G-62A) in 68 games. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound centre logged a 14-game point streak from February 4 through March 5, 2024, securing 28 points (15G-13A) along the way, helping the Chiefs secure the eighth and final playoff seed in the WHL's Western Conference. Listed ninth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings, Catton is set to hear his name called early in the 2024 NHL Draft. Originally selected by the Chiefs with the first-overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Catton has registered 175 points (78G-97A) in 140 career WHL Regular Season contests.

Forward - Gabe Klassen (Portland Winterhawks): The 20-year-old product of Prince Albert, Sask., was one of 10 WHL players to surpass the 100-point plateau in 2023-24, recording 106 points (35G-71A) in 67 games. The Winterhawks captain was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on November 13, 2023. From December 8, 2023 through January 19, 2024, Klassen enjoyed a 15-game point streak, notching 29 points (7G-22A) along the way. Originally selected by the Winterhawks in the first round (19th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, the 5-foot-10, 178-pound centre has secured 265 points (118G-147A) in 248 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward - Kenta Isogai (Wenatchee Wild): The 19-year-old product of Nagano, Japan, burst onto the WHL scene in 2023-24, posting 88 points (31G_57A) in 64 games. A 12-game point streak dating from December 31, 2023 through February 4, 2024, saw the 5-foot-10, 158-pound left winger record 26 points (8G-18A). Isogai signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Wenatchee Wild prior to the start of the 2023-24 season.

Check out the Western Hockey League Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2024


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central