2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Wutzke named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Red Deer Rebels netminder Chase Wutzke has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 7, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Tuesday.

This is the first time the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder has won Rookie of the Week, though he has been named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week three times and WHL Goaltender of the Month in December and January in the 2023-24 season.

Wutzke backstopped the Rebels to a 3-0-0-0 record this week, posting a 2.25 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his first WHL playoff series victory.

With Red Deer’s First-Round series against the Medicine Hat Tigers tied 1-1, Wutzke and the Rebels put on a show on home ice with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 3. Wutzke denied top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Andrew Basha on a breakaway and held the Tigers scoreless on three powerplay opportunities. He also denied all five shots he faced in the extra frame to restore Red Deer’s series lead.

Midway through the first period of Game 4, Wutzke kicked out his skate to deny a Gavin McKenna powerplay opportunity and send Jhett Larsson on a breakaway to score the game-opening goal shorthanded. The Debden, Sask. product earned first star after stopping 33 of 35 shots and holding the Tabbies scoreless on four powerplay opportunities.

Wutzke saved his best performance of the series for last, saving 36 of 38 shots in a 5-2 win to help the Rebels advance to Round Two for a third-straight season.

He sports a 4-1-0-0 record in his first WHL playoff series with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

NHL Central Scouting has ranked Wutzke 13th among North American goalies in its midterm draft rankings. The 6-foot-2 netminder was originally selected by Red Deer in the second round, 40th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Red Deer will take on the regular season champion Saskatoon Blades in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.

The Rebels travel to the SaskTel Centre for Game 1 on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. ST.

2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week

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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