Hurricanes netminder Unger named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Lethbridge Hurricanes netminder Jackson Unger has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 15, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The 19-year-old led all WHL goaltenders this week with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record and a sparkling 1.00 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage.
Unger made his third start in a Lethbridge sweater on December 11 as the Hurricanes hosted the Eastern Conference-leading Saskatoon Blades. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound goalie steered aside 17 shots and was only beaten by a Blades shot that deflected in off the skate of a Hurricanes defender. He sealed the 2-1 victory with a sharp pad save with less than 10 seconds remaining.
He followed it up with a 15-save effort in a 4-1 win against the Central Division opponent Red Deer Rebels. While Unger wasn’t terribly busy, he made several highlight-reel stops, including a sliding save on Talon Brigley in the second period. The decision marked Lethbridge’s fourth straight victory, though they’d fall the following night against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Unger was back in net for a Sunday rematch against the Tabbies and helped his team return to the win column. He put forward his most impressive performance of the week by turning aside 25 of 26 shots, holding the Tigers scoreless on four powerplay opportunities.
The 2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Year nominee is undefeated in his Hurricanes tenure, going 5-0-0-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage since being acquired in a trade on December 2.
Originally drafted by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the third round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Unger has played four seasons in the WHL. He went 35-15-0-2 in his first season as the Warriors’ starter in 2023-24 and backstopped the team to its first WHL Championship in franchise history. Unger dominated with a 16-1-2-0 record, a 2.90 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. He also made 49 saves to clinch Moose Jaw’s first victory at the Memorial Cup in a 5-3 defeat of the QMJHL Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs. He was named to the WHL East Division First All-Star Team and served as the East Division nominee for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy for WHL Goaltender of the Year.
The Hurricanes (17-11-1-1) sit second in the Central Division heading into the holiday break.
On December 27, they’ll face off against the Calgary Hitmen (16-9-3-1) as both squads fight to get closer to the division lead.
2024-25 WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 23, 2024: Koen Cleaver, Lethbridge Hurricanes
September 30, 2024: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 7, 2024: Spencer Michnik, Victoria Royals
October 15, 2024: Harrison Meneghin, Medicine Hat Tigers (Tampa Bay Lightning)
October 21, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades (Columbus Blue Jackets)
October 28, 2024: Jesse Sanche, Everett Silvertips
November 4, 2024: Carson Bjarnason, Brandon Wheat Kings (Philadelphia Flyers)
November 11, 2024: Nathan Preston, Tri-City Americans
November 18, 2024: Dawson Cowan, Spokane Chiefs
November 25, 2024: Alex Worthington, Edmonton Oil Kings
December 2, 2024: Anders Miller, Calgary Hitmen
December 9, 2024: Raiden LeGall, Everett Silvertips
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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