2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Špunar named WHL Goaltender of the Month for April
Calgary, Alta.- Portland Winterhawks netminder Jan Špunar has been named WHL Goaltender of the Month for April, the Western Hockey League announced Wednesday.
This is the second time this season Špunar has earned the monthly recognition, having previously won for September/October.
The 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder posted an 8-1-0-0 record throughout April with a 2.28 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and a shutout, helping the Portland Winterhawks advance to the Western Conference Championship for the first time since 2015.
The 19-year-old was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week for the second time this campaign on April 22 after going 2-0-0-0 with a 1.32 goals-against average, a .959 save percentage and a 27-save shutout to complete a sweep of the Everett Silvertips in Round Two of the 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
One of Špunar’s most impressive postseason performances came against the Silvertips in Game 3, where he stopped a postseason-high 44 of 47 shots.
Špunar has an overall record of 10-1-0-0 in the postseason, making the third-most saves (304) and playing the second-most minutes (673).
He’s also assisted two Portland goals.
The Olomouc, Czechia product is nominated for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as WHL Goaltender of the Year after a dominant regular season that saw him post a 25-6-2-1 record, a 2.12 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.
Portland selected Špunar with the 52nd pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.
The Winterhawks look to extend their series lead in Game 4 of the Western Conference Championship against the Prince George Cougars on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. PST at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Month
March: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
February: Reid Dyck, Swift Current Broncos (Boston Bruins)
January: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
December: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
November: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
September/October: Jan Spunar, Portland Winterhawks
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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