Warriors’ Zach Sawchenko named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender Zach Sawchenko has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Week and the league nominee for Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 26, 2017.
This is the second consecutive week and third time this season the 19-year-old product of Calgary, AB, has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week. Sawchenko went 4-0-0-0 this past week with a 1.50 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and one shutout.
On Tuesday, February 21, Sawchenko stopped 19 shots in a 6-3 win at Medicine Hat. He followed that up by turning aside 32 shots on Wednesday, February 22, in a 3-1 win at Lethbridge, being named first star. Carrying on with his steady play, Sawchenko blocked another 25 shots on Saturday, February 25, in a 5-2 win versus Swift Current. On Sunday, February 26, the veteran goaltender wrapped up his weekend by making another 29 saves in a 2-0 win at Saskatoon, earning first star honours.
Through 44 appearances in his fourth WHL season, Sawchenko is 27-11-5-1 with a 2.66 GAA, .921 SV% and three shutouts. He ranks among WHL leaders in GAA (fifth), SV% (T-3rd), wins (T-3rd) and shutouts (T-5th).
Sawchenko was recognized as WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending February 20 after going 2-0-0-0. With an accompany 0.50 GAA, .981 SV% and one shutout, he went on to be named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week. Prior to that, he was named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending November 6, 2016, and was subsequently tabbed with Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week honours.
Sawchenko and Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips) are the only two WHL goaltenders to defend WHL Goaltender of the Week honours and both have logged recognition three times this season.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Sawchenko is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.
Originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the second round (33rd) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, he has amassed a career record of 85-62-11-4 with a 3.09 GAA, .908 SV% and nine shutouts in 170 career WHL regular season appearances.
WHL Goaltender of the Week/Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week nominee
Sept. 23 – Sept. 25: Travis Child, Swift Current Broncos
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Nick Schneider, Medicine Hat Tigers
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Flodell, Saskatoon Blades
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Ryan Kubic, Vancouver Giants
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Michael Herringer, Kelowna Rockets
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30 – Payton Lee, Kootenay ICE
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Zach Sawchenko, Moose Jaw Warriors
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Patrick Dea, Edmonton Oil Kings
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Connor Ingram, Kamloops Blazers
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Dylan Ferguson, Kamloops Blazers
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Ty Edmonds, Prince George Cougars
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Griffen Outhouse, Victoria Royals
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Rylan Parenteau, Tri-City Americans
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Rylan Toth, Seattle Thunderbirds
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Cole Kehler, Portland Winterhawks
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge Hurricanes
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Brodan Salmond, Kelowna Rockets
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Zach Sawchenko, Moose Jaw Warriors
Feb. 20 – Feb. 27: Zach Sawchenko, Moose Jaw Warriors