2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward McKenzie named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week
Moose Jaw, Sask.- Moose Jaw Warriors winger Pavel McKenzie has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending May 12, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
This is the first time the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward has earned the recognition.
The 18-year-old netted his second goal of the 2024 WHL Playoffs, helping the Warriors seal a victory in Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series against the Portland Winterhawks.
With Moose Jaw holding a narrow 1-0 advantage in the second period of Game 2, McKenzie doubled the lead with a deceptive wrist shot from the high slot, courtesy a centering pass from Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Martin Rysavy. The tally would stand as the game-winner as Moose Jaw went on to a 5-1 victory to sweep the first two games of the Championship Series at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Cumberland House, Sask. product has two goals and three assists for five points in 18 postseason matches.
McKenzie settled into a strong depth role with the Warriors in his first WHL regular season campaign, lighting the lamp 15 times and dishing 21 helpers for 36 points in 63 games.
The 6-foot, 170-pound winger made the Warriors as a free agent after going unselected in the WHL Prospects Draft. He caught the attention of General Manager Jason Ripplinger and Head Coach Mark O’Leary after a strong showing with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Yorkton Terriers.
McKenzie is ranked 176th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
The Warriors return home to host the Winterhawks in Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series on Tuesday, May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ST.
2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week
May 6, 2024: Hunter Laing, Prince George Cougars
April 29, 2024: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
April 22, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
April 15, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
April 9, 2024: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
April 1, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
March 25, 2024: Reese Hamilton, Calgary Hitmen
March 18, 2024: Dimitri Fortin, Moose Jaw Warriors
March 11, 2024: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
March 4, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
February 26, 2024: Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver Giants
February 20, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
February 12, 2024: Hunter Laing, Prince George Cougars
February 5, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
January 29, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 22, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 15, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 8, 2024: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
January 2, 2024: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
December 18, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
December 11, 2023: Max Curran, Tri-City Americans
December 4, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)
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
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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