Flyers prospect Bjarnason named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Carson Bjarnason has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 3, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The Philadelphia Flyers prospect posted his first shutout of the season with a 33-save performance against the Medicine Hat Tigers to extend Brandon’s point streak to five games.
The Tigers, one of the Eastern Conference’s top-scoring teams, rolled into Westoba Place on Saturday, November 2 on a three-game winning streak. The Tigers peppered Bjarnason with 33 shots to no avail. Notably, Bjarnason went post to post to deny captain Oasiz Wiesblatt with a pad stop before paddling away opportunities from WHL Player of the Month Gavin McKenna and Florida Panthers prospect Hunter St. Martin. Bjarnason denied all three Medicine Hat powerplays and was named first star of the night.
The 6-foot-3.5, 208-pound netminder is 4-3-1-0 on the season with a 2.77 goals against average, a .924 save percentage and one shutout. Bjarnason is tied for first in save percentage among qualified WHL goaltenders while averaging 33 saves per game.
Bjarnason, from nearby Carberry, Man., was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers 51st overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and signed his entry-level contract the following September. He’s coming off a promising training camp with the Flyers that featured preseason action against the Washington Capitals and a strong showing against the New York Rangers prospects in the NHL’s annual Rookie Series.
The 19-year-old was named a WHL East Division Second-Team All-Star in 2023-24 and has won Hlinka Gretzky gold and an IIHF U18 World Championship bronze medal for Team Canada.
Over the summer, Bjarnason was also invited to participate in Hockey Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase.
He holds a career record of 57-49-11-2 with a 3.18 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage and six shutouts.
Brandon (8-4-1-1) is back in action on Friday, November 8 when the Wheat Kings go west to face the Regina Pats (5-9-1-0).
2024-25 WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 23, 2024: Koen Cleaver, Lethbridge Hurricanes
September 30, 2024: Ethan Eskit, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 7, 2024: Spencer Michnik, Victoria Royals
October 15, 2024: Harrison Meneghin, Medicine Hat Tigers (Tampa Bay Lightning)
October 21, 2024: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades (Columbus Blue Jackets)
October 28, 2024: Jesse Sanche, Everett Silvertips