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, March 30, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The 16-year-old scored three goals as the Chiefs won Games 1 and 2 of their first-round series against the Vancouver Giants.
Preston was held off the scoresheet in Game 1, but erupted for his first WHL playoff goal and hat trick on Sunday, March 30. The 5-foot-11, 168-pound centreman opened the scoring with less than a minute remaining in the first period with a long shot that deflected past Burke Hood. He capitalized on a Giants turnover and whizzed a wrister top shelf to double the lead 29 seconds into the middle frame to double the lead. Alternate Captain Shea Van Olm made it 4-0 shortly after, and Preston continued the pile-on with the hat trick goal 5:52 into the period. He pounced on another Vancouver turnover and cut to the net to fire two shots, with the second breaking through for the milestone goal. The Giants would rally hard in the third period, but Spokane still took the win in a 7-5 decision. Preston was named first star of the night with three goals and a +3 rating.
Forget your first career #WHLPlayoffs goal, Mathis Preston wanted his first three!🎩@spokanechiefs | #WHLHatTricks | #FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/eXq7mVpaSR
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) March 31, 2025
Preston leads all WHL rookies in postseason goals.
He racked up 23 goals (including four game-winners) and 22 assists for 45 points in 54 games in the regular season and finished third in goals among all first-year skaters.
The Penticton, B.C. product was selected by the Chiefs with the third-overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft and 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 en route to a gold medal win with Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge in November.
Preston is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Spokane looks to take a 3-0 grip on their series as they return to the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena for Game 3 on Wednesday, April 2.
All WHL Playoff games will be streamed 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
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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