Rockets’ James Porter named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that rookie James Porter of the Kelowna Rockets is the Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 31 after posting a 2-0-0-0 record including one shutout with a goals-against-average of 0.48 and save percentage of .987.
Porter made 74 saves in a home-and-home series win against the Kamloops Blazers helping the Rockets extend their winning-streak to five and improving their first place B.C Division record to 23-11-2-1. Last Wednesday he stopped a career-high 46 shots and added four more saves in the shootout earning first star honours in the 2-1 victory at home. In Kamloops on Friday, Porter was named second star with his second shutout of the season making 28 saves in the 3-0 victory over the Blazers.
A 17-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Porter was chosen by the Rockets in the seventh round of the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft. In 26 appearances this season he carries a 15-5-2-0 record with a goals-against-average of 3.22 and save percentage of .904. His two shutout victories have been recorded in a span of three games with the first coming December 16 before the holiday break with a 40-save performance in a 5-0 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
Also considered for the award this week was Mathieu Bellemare of the Shawinigan Cataractes who posted a 1-1-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 71 saves for a goals-against-average of 0.51 and save percentage of .986. In the OHL, Leo Lazarev of the Barrie Colts made 82 saves while posting a 2-0-0-0 record along with a goals-against-average of 1.50 and save percentage of .965.
2017-18 Vaughn CHL Goaltenders of the Week:
Dec. 25 – Dec. 31: James Porter (Kelowna Rockets)
Dec. 11 – Dec. 17: Tristan Bérubé (Gatineau Olympiques)
Dec. 4 – Dec. 10: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 27 – Dec. 3: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 20 – Nov. 26: Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips)
Nov. 13 – Nov. 19: Anthony Morrone (Victoriaville Tigres)
Nov. 6 – Nov. 12: Justin Fazio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 5: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Oct. 23 – Oct. 29: Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips)
Oct. 16 – Oct. 22: Samuel Harvey (Rouyn-Noranada Huskies)
Oct. 9 – Oct. 15: Logan Flodell (Swift Current Broncos)
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler (Portland Winterhawks)
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Dereck Baribeau (Quebec Remparts)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 24: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)