NHL Draft-eligible netminder Stebetak named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Portland Winterhawks netminder Ondrej Stebetak has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending November 10, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
The 2025 NHL Draft-eligible goaltender went 1-0-0-0 on the week with a 3.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and a rare assist.
With Portland leading the U.S. Division rival Wenatchee Wild 1-0 in the second period, Stebetak picked up a primary assist by setting up Seattle Kraken prospect Tyson Jugnauth for an end-to-end dazzling run that culminated in his fifth goal of the season. Stebetak would go on to stop 37 of 40 shots and pick up second-star honours as the Winterhawks won by a score of 6-3.
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound netminder has faced a lot of rubber in his first WHL season. Stebetak sports a 6-4-1-0 record, a 4.07 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage- though his last two starts have seen him post save percentages of .939 and .925.
Stebetak, 17, was selected by Portland with the 57th overall pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. He recently backstopped Czechia to a silver medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he finished with a 1.27 goals-against average and a tremendous .947 save percentage.
NHL Central Scouting has tagged the Jihlava, Cze. product with a ‘C’ rating- indicating a potential fourth or fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft- in the agency’s preliminary players to watch list in October.
Portland (8-7-2-0) is back in action against the Calgary Hitmen (7-7-2-1) on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. PST.
This game will be free to stream on WHL Live as part of the Western Hockey League’s new Wednesday Night in the Dub program, which unlocks weekly freeview games and highlights hotly anticipated matchups, current NHL prospects and draft-eligible stars of tomorrow.
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
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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