Chiefs forward Preston named WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Spokane Chiefs forward Mathis Preston has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

This is the second time he’s captured the weekly award this season.

Preston paced all rookie skaters with one goal and three assists for four points in two games as the Spokane Chiefs downed the Portland Winterhawks to advance to the 2025 WHL Championship Series.

The 16-year-old popped off for his first career four-point game in a dominant 8-5 road win over the Portland Winterhawks in Game 3 of the 2025 WHL Western Conference Championship. Preston served up a secondary assist on Chase Harrington’s game-opening goal and, midway through the second period, helped break a 2-2 tie with another secondary helper on an Owen Martin powerplay tally. The 5-foot-11, 168-pound forward bagged his second assist in under three minutes as he dropped off the puck for St. Louis Blues prospect Will McIsaac to hit the net with a clever shot from the left faceoff dot. The Winterhawks fought back to tie the game at 5-5 in the third period, but two quick goals from Coco Armstrong and Preston sealed the win. Preston seized a rebound from an Owen Martin shot close to the net and was able to lift the puck above Ondrej Stebetak’s glove. Preston would be named first star of the night for his monumental performance.

While he didn’t find the scoresheet in Spokane’s series-clinching 6-4 victory in Game 4, Preston finished the critical match with a +1 rating and two shots on goal.

Preston is second in the WHL rookie playoff scoring race with eight goals (including a hat trick) and six assists for 14 points in 15 games.

The Penticton, B.C. product picked up 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points and a +15 rating in 54 games in his first full major junior season.

He tied for seventh in points among first-year players and finished third in goals.

Spokane selected Preston with the third overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The youngster scored four goals in five call-up appearances the following season.

On the international stage, Preston scored a tournament-leading six goals and picked up an assist to win a gold medal with Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge in November.

He is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Preston and the Chiefs now prepare to battle the Medicine Hat Tigers for WHL glory.

The quest for the Ed Chynoweth Cup continues on Friday, May 1, as the Tigers and Chiefs hit the ice for Game 1 at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat.

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
April 28, 2025: Assanali Sarkenov, Spokane Chiefs

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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