Raiders defenceman Rudolph named WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 13, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

This is the second time the 17-year-old has picked up the weekly award, in addition to a WHL Rookie of the Month win in January.

Rudolph led all WHL skaters in points with one goal and four assists, as well as a plus-4 rating, in three games.

Rudolph’s big week started with a three-assist effort in a Game 7 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings back in the first round, as the Raiders punched a ticket to the second round with a resounding 5-0 triumph on home ice.

The former first-overall pick found the back of the net in Game 1 of the Raiders second-round series with the Medicine Hat Tigers, registering a power-play goal early in the third period as Prince Albert pushed to erase a deficit.

Rudolph added another power-play helper in Game 2 in Medicine Hat, once again helping the Raiders claw within a goal of the high-powered Tigers.

Rudolph leads all rookies with 11 points (1G-10A) in nine postseason games. He’s also third among all defencemen in points and second in assists.

The Raiders selected Rudolph with the first overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

Rudolph potted 41 points (7G-34A) in 64 games in his inaugural season, finishing fourth in points among rookie defencemen and fifth among all rookies in assists. He also went on a massive 12-game point streak from January 1, 2025, to January 26, 2025.

He was named an Eastern Conference finalist for the esteemed Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year on April 3, 2025.

Rudolph is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Prince Albert looks to take their first win of the second round against Medicine Hat as the best-of-seven series moves north to the formidable Art Hauser Centre for Game 3 on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. MT.

Fans can stream the WHL Playoffs free on Victory+.

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
November 18, 2024: Kason Kobelka, Calgary Hitmen
November 25, 2024: Jordan Duguay, Portland Winterhawks
December 2, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 9, 2024: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 16, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
December 23, 2024: Parker Rondeau, Swift Current Broncos
December 30, 2024: Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 6, 2025: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
January 13, 2025: Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers
January 20, 2025: Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants
January 27, 2025: Matej Pekar, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 3, 2025: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 10, 2025: Savin Virk, Tri-City Americans
February 18, 2025: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers
February 24, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
March 3, 2025: Luke Vlooswyk, Red Deer Rebels
March 10, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
March 17, 2025: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
March 24, 2025: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
March 31, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
April 7, 2025: Shea Busch, Everett Silvertips

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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