Americans forward Garland named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Tri-City Americans forward Gavin Garland has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending October 20, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
Garland led all rookies with one goal and four assists in two games to help the Ams close out a perfect 4-0-0-0 homestand.
The 18-year-old led an incredible comeback against the streaking Kelowna Rockets on Saturday, October 19. With the Americans trailing 4-1 in the second period and pressing hard as their second powerplay expired, Garland picked up a pass along the boards and evaded a check to send a cross-ice feed to Brandon Whynott to find the back of the net and stop the bleeding for Tri-City. Two and a half minutes later, Garland lit the lamp himself by wristing a Carter MacAdams drop pass top shelf to bring his team within one. On a critical powerplay to start the third period, the Calgarian poked the puck forward from the faceoff dot, a play that allowed Cruz Pavao to tie the game. Less than three minutes later, Garland added another assist as Tri-City seized its first lead of the night. The match would see Colorado Avalanche prospect Max Curran bury the late game-winner for the Ams, with Garland earning third star with a one-goal, three-assist effort.
One night later, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound centreman got back on the scoresheet with a touch pass to Pavao to open the scoring against the Portland Winterhawks on the powerplay. Tri-City would go on to a 4-3 overtime win, with Garland extending his point streak to five games with a single assist.
He’s now amassed five goals (including two game-winners) and six assists for 11 points and a +4 rating in nine games.
Garland, who was drafted by the Americans 31st overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, joins the Western Hockey League after spending the 2023-24 season with the Calgary Canucks, helping the team win its first championship since 1999.
He had previously committed to Nebraska-Omaha of the NCAA before signing a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement in August.
Tri-City (5-3-1-0) hits the road on Friday, October 25 for an inter-division tilt against the Wenatchee Wild (4-5-2-0) at 7:00 p.m. PST.
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
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.
-30-
Loading ...