Cougars goaltender Ravensbergen named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today that Joshua Ravensbergen of the Prince George Cougars has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending December 3, 2023.

The 17-year-old puckstopper went 3-0-0-0 in his triad of starts and made one relief appearance with a 0.84 goals-against average, .973 save percentage and one shutout this past week.

Ravensbergen opened the week with a dominant effort over the surging Everett Silvertips. He turned aside 28 of 29 shots in a 3-1 victory, including making stops rookie Dominik Rymon and Vegas Golden Knights prospect Ben Hemmerling on breakaways. Ravensbergen was named first star of the game for his efforts.

The North Vancouver product was called on in relief the following night as the Cougars trailed the Silvertips 3-1. Ravensbergen held his side in it with 16 saves, surrendering only one goal in the 4-3 loss.

Next up, the Cougars traveled south for a three-game Washington road trip. Ravensbergen stood tall, stopping 30 of 31 shots from the Spokane Chiefs and helping the Cougars earn a fourth straight road win in the 4-1 win. Ravensbergen was named third star.

Ravensbergen closed out the week by earning his fifth shutout of the season. This time, it came against the third-highest-scoring team in the league, the Portland Winterhawks. He made 33 saves- the second most he’s faced this season- to deny Portland in a 4-0 victory.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound rookie has won his last nine starts in net.

The rookie leads the WHL and CHL in all major goaltending statistics with a meager 1.63 goals-against average, .944 save percentage and five shutouts.

Ravensbergen has been on a roll this season, earning WHL Goaltender of the Month in November and WHL Goaltender of the Week twice.

Prince George (21-7-0-0) sits first in the WHL and returns home to host the Victoria Royals (16-11-0-2) for a pair of games on December 8 and 9.

 

2023-24 WHL Rookie of the Week

November 27, 2023: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings

November 20, 2023: Dakota MacIntosh, Moose Jaw Warriors

November 13, 2023: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen

November 6, 2023: Ethan McCallum, Medicine Hat Tigers

October 30, 2023: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips (NHL CSS: C)

October 23, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 16, 2023: Ty Coupland, Swift Current Broncos

October 10, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

October 2, 2023: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars (NHL CSS: B)

September 25, 2023: Oscar Lovsin, Wenatchee Wild

 

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-