Hitmen netminder Kobelka named WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Calgary Hitmen netminder Kason Kobelka has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending November 17, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

The Hitmen affiliated player went 2-0-0-0 in his first two WHL games with a 1.94 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and two assists.

Kobelka, 17, made his WHL debut for his hometown team on the road against the Portland Winterhawks on November 17. He faced his first major test as Jordan Duguay dangled through the Calgary defence to put a shot on net, but managed to steer the puck aside. He also showed off his puck-tracking ability by gloving down a midair tip by Winterhawks captain Kyle Chyzowski as Calgary held a slim 1-0 lead in the second period. Portland would break through when Diego Buttazzoni buried a rebound in the final frame, but Calgary carried on to a 3-1 win. Kobelka stopped 28 of 29 shots- including six Portland powerplay attempts- to earn first star honours.

Kason Kobelka 👏 pic.twitter.com/uGbDlgJiw9

— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) November 14, 2024

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound netminder was back between the pipes to close out the U.S. Division road trip against the Wenatchee Wild on October 16.  Kobelka picked up his first WHL assist by dropping the puck to 2025 NHL Draft-eligible Ben Kindel, who wired a stretch pass to spring Ottawa Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk for a breakaway goal. A five-on-three goal by Wenatchee would give the Wild a late lead, but Maxim Muranov scored late to force the extra frame. Kobelka made a pair of critical stops to keep Calgary alive, and a point-blank pad stop on a Wild attacker helped Kobelka spring Axel Hurtig and Muranov for a two-on-one and the game-winning goal. Kobelka was named second star with 21 saves and two helpers as Calgary closed out the road trip with a 4-1-1 record.

Kobelka, from Calgary, Alta., was called up from the Calgary Northstars U18AAA club prior to the road trip. He sports a 5-1-2 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage to help the Northstars sit second in the Alberta Elite Hockey League standings.

Calgary (10-7-3-1) returns home to host the Victoria Royals (12-6-2-1) on Friday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. MST.

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

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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