Hurricanes netminder Meneghin named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Lethbridge Hurricanes netminder Harrison Meneghin has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending December 31, 2023.
The 19-year-old went 2-0-0-0 in back-to-back starts against Red Deer and Medicine Hat, earning a 1.44 goals-against average and .957 save percentage.
Meneghin was rock-solid in the Canes crease to start the week against the Rebels, holding the Red Deer scoreless on four powerplay opportunities and stopping 33 of 34 shots. His efforts were highlighted by a trio of tight saves on Rebels Captain Kai Uchacz in the third period and a calm and collected two-on-one stop on Ollie Josephson in overtime. Meneghin denied Josephson again in the shootout to seal a 2-1 win, casually gloving the final shot and batting the puck into a roaring crowd at Lethbridge’s Enmax Centre. His .970 save percentage propelled him to first star honours.
Meneghin was called on again the following night as the Hurricanes traveled to Co-op Place to take on the Central Division-leading Tigers. He showed off his poise early on by closing off the five-hole to stop Reid Andresen on a breakaway in the opening period. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound puckstopper denied all 18 shots he faced in the middle frame, and with the Hurricanes leading 3-2 in the dying minutes of the game, Meneghin turned aside a partial breakaway shot from Tigers Captain Tyler MacKenzie, allowing Joe Arnsten to pot an empty-netter and seal a 4-2 victory for the visitors. With 34 saves on the night, Meneghin captured first star once again.
Meneghin is 15-9-2-0 in his second full season with the Hurricanes. His 2.42 goals-against average and .922 save percentage both rank fourth in the WHL, while playing the third-most minutes (1565) and earning a pair of shutouts.
The netminder was passed over in the WHL Prospects Draft but was signed by the Hurricanes in 2021. Meneghin proved to be a steal after being named to the WHL Central Division Second All-Star Team in the 2022-23 season.
The Hurricanes (17-15-3-0) are fourth in the Central Division and have a three-game point streak to kick off post-holiday play.
Lethbridge starts a four-game homestand on January 3 against the Swift Current Broncos (18-14-2-2), who currently sit three points ahead of the Canes for third place in the Central.
2023-24 WHL Goaltender of the Week
December 18, 2023: Brett Mirwald, Vancouver Giants
December 11, 2023: Chase Wutzke, Red Deer Rebels
December 4, 2023: Jackson Unger, Moose Jaw Warriors
November 27, 2023: Dawson Cowan, Spokane Chiefs
November 20, 2023: Rhett Stoesser, Red Deer Rebels
November 13, 2023: Evan May, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 6, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
October 30, 2023: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
October 23, 2023: Daniel Hauser, Wenatchee Wild
October 16, 2023: Jan Špunar, Portland Winterhawks
October 10, 2023: Kyle Kelsey, Red Deer Rebels
October 2, 2023: Ethan Chadwick, Everett Silvertips
September 25, 2023: Max Hildebrand, Prince Albert Raiders
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-