Warriors Captain Mateychuk named 2024 WHL Playoffs MVP

Moose Jaw, Sask.- Moose Jaw Warriors defenceman Denton Mateychuk has been named the 2024 WHL Playoffs Most Valuable Player.

The award is presented to a player deemed to have made the strongest contribution to their team throughout the WHL Playoffs, as voted by members of the media.

The Warriors Captain led his team to its first Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history with a four-game sweep of the Portland Winterhawks in the 2024 WHL Championship Series.

Cementing his bid for the WHL Playoffs MVP, Mateychuk came up with some crucial blocks while locking down the opposition perfectly in Game 4 as the Warriors hung on for a 4-2 win.

The reigning WHL Defenceman of the Year finished second in postseason points with 11 goals (including two game-winners) and 19 assists for 30 points and a +18 rating in 20 postseason matches.

He was only held off the scoresheet six times.

Mateychuk, a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, registered 10 multi-point games in the playoffs.

His most memorable performances include netting a pair of powerplay goals to force overtime against Portland in Game 3 of the final round and a sensational one-goal, five-assist performance against the Swift Current Broncos to tie the second-round series with one win apiece.

The 19-year-old was one point shy of tying the WHL record for points in a single playoff game by a defenceman.

Mateychuk also played a critical role in shutting down the high-powered offence of Moose Jaw’s opponents.

He is a fixture of the Warriors’ penalty kill and led the league with two shorthanded assists in the playoffs.

Mateychuk is the first player in Warriors’ franchise history to be named the WHL Playoffs MVP, sealing his legacy in the Friendly City.

Previous WHL Playoffs MVPs:

2023- Thomas Milic, Seattle Thunderbirds
2022 – Kaiden Guhle, Edmonton Oil Kings
2019 – Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders
2018 – Glenn Gawdin, Swift Current Broncos
2017 – Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds
2016 – Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings
2015 –  Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets
2014 – Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings
2013 – Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks
2012 – Laurent Brossoit, Edmonton Oil Kings
2011 – Nathan Lieuwen, Kootenay ICE
2010 – Martin Jones, Calgary Hitmen
2009 – Tyler Myers, Kelowna Rockets
2008 – Tyler Johnson, Spokane Chiefs
2007 – Matt Keetley, Medicine Hat Tigers
2006 – Gilbert Brule, Vancouver Giants
2005 – Shea Weber, Kelowna Rockets
2004 – Kevin Nastiuk, Medicine Hat Tigers
2003 – Jesse Schultz, Kelowna Rockets
2002 – Duncan Milroy, Kootenay ICE
2001 – Shane Bendera, Red Deer Rebels
2000 – Dan Blackburn, Kootenay ICE
1999 – Brad Moran, Calgary Hitmen
1998 – Brent Belecki, Portland Winter Hawks
1997 – Blaine Russell, Lethbridge Hurricanes
1996 – Bobby Brown, Brandon Wheat Kings
1995 – Nolan Baumgartner, Kamloops Blazers
1994 – Steve Passmore, Kamloops Blazers
1993 – Andrew Schneider, Swift Current Broncos
1992 – Jarrett Deuling, Kamloops Blazers