Blades forward Williams named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Saskatoon Blades forward Cooper Williams has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 6, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The 16-year-old continued his impressive early-season run with three goals, an assist and a +3 rating through three matches to lead all eligible rookies last week.
With the Calgary Hitmen holding a 2-0 lead in the second period of their October 2 match, Williams kickstarted the Blades comeback with a powerful one-timer from the slot to get the Bridge City bunch on the board. At the end of the frame, Williams fed Hudson Kibblewhite for a fantastic between-the-legs goal to tie things up at three heading into the final 20 minutes. Williams was named second star of the night with a goal and an assist in an eventual 5-3 Blades victory.
The 6-foot, 150-pound centre extended his point streak to a fifth game as the Blades visited the Swift Current Broncos two days later. With Swift Current up 1-0 in the first period, Williams would level the match by snapping up a rebound and firing it into the yawning corner of the Broncos’ net. Despite his early-game heroics, Saskatoon would drop its first game of the season in a 6-3 loss.
Williams lit the lamp once again the following night to open the scoring against the Everett Silvertips with a deft redirection of a Zach Olsen pass. The youngster hasn’t been held off the scoresheet yet in his first WHL season. Williams would end the night with a goal and a +2 rating, though the Blades would fall 5-4 in overtime.
Williams has now amassed four goals and five assists for nine points in six career WHL games, including two multi-point performances. He leads all WHL rookies in points, sits second in goals and is tied for third in assists.
Saskatoon chose the 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward 41st overall in the second round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
The Blades (4-1-1-0) go head-to-head against Tempo WHL Player of the Week Shea Van Olm and the U.S. Division-leading Spokane Chiefs at SaskTel Centre on Friday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. ST.
2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Week
September 23, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
September 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
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