2025 NHL Draft-eligible forward Sarkenov named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Spokane Chiefs forward Assanali Sarkenov has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The winger from Astana, Kazakhstan, led all first-year players with four goals and one assist for five points in three games.
After being held without a point in Spokane’s series-clinching Game 6 win against the Victoria Royals, Sarkenov erupted for two goals, including the game-winner, in Game 1 of the Western Conference Championship Series against the Portland Winterhawks. With the Chiefs leading 4-2 in the first period, Sarkenov showed some quick thinking as he parked in front of the Portland net and swatted a Saige Weinstein rebound past Ondrej Stebetak for his third goal of the postseason. He added his second tally of the evening with a shorthanded breakaway goal after poking the puck away from a Portland defender and hauling down the ice for a shortside wrister. He was named second star of the night in a 10-4 win.
He managed to top the performance in a dramatic 6-5 overtime win against the Winterhawks in Game 2 on April 27. After Portland’s Diego Buttazzoni opened the scoring, Sarkenov leveled the game with a crash-bang effort in front of the Winterhawks’ crease. Midway through the third, the scales had tipped, and Sarkenov buried a snapper from the slot to make it 5-3 for the home side. Portland stormed back to force overtime, where Sarkenov was awarded an assist on Chase Harrington’s overtime winner. For a second-straight contest, Sarkenov was named the second star of the game.
Sarkenov has six goals (including two game-winners) and five assists for 11 points in 13 playoff contests.
He joined the Chiefs in September of 2024 after being selected with the 20th overall pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 198-pound winger strung together 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 52 games in his rookie season and represented his home country at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he netted one goal.
Sarkenov is ranked 217th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s final rankings ahead of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
The Chiefs will try to seize a commanding 3-0 series lead when they hit the road for Game 3 in Portland on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. PST.
Fans can stream the WHL Playoffs for free on Victory+.
2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Week
September 23, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
September 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
October 7, 2024: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
October 15, 2024: Josh Banini, Moose Jaw Warriors
October 21, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
October 28, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 4, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
November 11, 2024: Ondrej Stebetak, Portland Winterhawks
November 18, 2024: Kason Kobelka, Calgary Hitmen
November 25, 2024: Jordan Duguay, Portland Winterhawks
December 2, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 9, 2024: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 16, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
December 23, 2024: Parker Rondeau, Swift Current Broncos
December 30, 2024: Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 6, 2025: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
January 13, 2025: Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers
January 20, 2025: Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants
January 27, 2025: Matej Pekar, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 3, 2025: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 10, 2025: Savin Virk, Tri-City Americans
February 18, 2025: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers
February 24, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
March 3, 2025: Luke Vlooswyk, Red Deer Rebels
March 10, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
March 17, 2025: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
March 24, 2025: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
March 31, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
April 7, 2025: Shea Busch, Everett Silvertips
April 14, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
April 21, 2025: Landon DuPont, 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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