NHL Draft-eligible netminder Ravensbergen named WHL Goaltender of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Prince George Cougars netminder Joshua Ravensbergen has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, December 29, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

The 18-year-old led all starting goalies with a 2-0-0-0 record, a .96 goals-against average and a .970 save percentage in back-to-back road wins.

Ravensbergen got the call in Prince George’s first post-holiday break match against the Victoria Royals on Vancouver Island.

The 6-foot-5, 192-pound netminder made 28 saves on 29 shots in a hard-fought 2-1 shootout victory on December 27. Ravensbergen turned aside several break away opportunities and odd-man rushes, including a highlight-reel stop on upstart rookie Keaton Verhoeff in overtime. He also denied all three opponents in the shootout- including Verhoeff again- to seal the victory and pick up first-star honours.

But the projected top 2025 NHL Draft pick was just warming up. While Victoria would take a 1-0 lead in the first period in the rematch the following night, Ravensbergen shut the door from there with a monster 37 saves. One of his finest efforts came with a pad save on Markus Loponen’s shot from the slot combined with a sliding stop to stuff Reggie Newman. The Cougars held the Royals scoreless on five powerplay opportunities and Ravensbergen was named first star again in the 2-1 regulation win. His 37 saves mark his second-busiest night of the season.

🎥SAVE OF THE NIGHT🎥

Ravensbergen being Ravensbergen 🤷@RealCdnSS | @PGCougars | #NHLDraft | #SaveoftheNight pic.twitter.com/Yp3paDxm3w

— The WHL (@TheWHL) December 29, 2024

The 2024 B.C. Division Second Team All-Star is 18-4-3-1 in his sophomore season with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. He’s tied for the most wins in the league while ranking eighth in GAA and save percentage and sixth in shots faced.

The North Vancouver, B.C. product earned an ‘A’ rating from NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s preliminary player list ahead of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

He recently made 15 saves and recorded an assist for Team CHL in a 6-1 win over the U.S. National Team Development Program in November’s CHL USA Prospects Challenge, a new event highlighting some of the top draft-eligible talent.

Ravensbergen, who made the Cougars as an undrafted free agent, owns a career record of 44-8-4-2 with a 2.65 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and six shutouts.

Prince George (20-9-3-2) has won four straight games to remain first in the B.C. Division and second in the overall standings.

They’ll head south to take on the Seattle Thunderbirds (11-21-2-1) in a New Year’s Eve showdown at 6:05 p.m. PST.

 

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
November 4, 2024: Carson Bjarnason, Brandon Wheat Kings (Philadelphia Flyers)
November 11, 2024: Nathan Preston, Tri-City Americans
November 18, 2024: Dawson Cowan, Spokane Chiefs
November 25, 2024: Alex Worthington, Edmonton Oil Kings
December 2, 2024: Anders Miller, Calgary Hitmen
December 9, 2024: Raiden LeGall, Everett Silvertips
December 16, 2024: Jackson Unger, Lethbridge Hurricanes
December 23, 2024: 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.

 

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