Giants netminder Mirwald named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Vancouver Giants netminder Brett Mirwald has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending January 7, 2024.
The 20-year-old went 2-0-0-0 in back-to-back starts against Calgary and Brandon, putting up a 1.97 goals-against average, .958 save percentage and a 48-save shutout.
Mirwald kicked off 2024 with a 43-save performance in a 5-4 overtime win against the Calgary Hitmen. His finest moment came in the extra frame, where he slid across the crease to deny Carter Yakemchuk the hat trick and the victory on a 2-on-0 Hitmen breakaway. The Saskatoon, Sask. product was named third star in the win.
Mirwald showed no signs of wear and tear three days later when the Giants packed their bags for a trip to Brandon. The Wheat Kings rained 29 shots on Mirwald in the second period alone, but the goalie stood tall with a series of highlight-reel stops, including a deft pad stop on Andrei Maliavian and a quick-thinking double-handed grab to deny Luke Shipley when Mirwald was without his stick. Mirwald would snag first star and his second shutout of the season with a 48-save clean sheet.
Over his last six starts, Mirwald is 4-2-0-0 with a .948 save percentage and 1.99 goals-against average.
Mirwald is 13-15-1-0 in his first season as the Giants’ starter with a 3.20 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. He is second in minutes played (1780), shots faced (1086) and saves (991).
This marks the second time in three weeks that Mirwald has earned Goaltender of the Week honours. The 6-foot-1 netminder was picked up by Moose Jaw in the seventh round, 154th overall at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.
The Giants (15-21-2-0) are fourth in the B.C. Division with points in four of their last ten games.
Vancouver continues a six-game road trip on January 9 when the team visits Prince Albert (17-18-0-2).
2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Week
January 2, 2024: Harrison Meneghin, Lethbridge Hurricanes
December 18, 2023: Brett Mirwald, Vancouver Giants
December 11, 2023: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
December 4, 2023: Jackson Unger, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 27, 2023: Dawson Cowan, Spokane Chiefs
November 20, 2023: Rhett Stoesser, Red Deer Rebels
November 13, 2023: Evan May, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 6, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
October 30, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
October 23, 2023: Daniel Hauser, Wenatchee Wild
October 16, 2023: Jan Špunar, Portland Winterhawks
October 10, 2023: Kyle Kelsey, Red Deer Rebels
October 2, 2023: Ethan Chadwick, Everett Silvertips
September 25, 2023: Max Hildebrand, Prince Albert Raiders
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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