WHL names 2023-24 B.C. Division First All-Star Team

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the B.C. Division First All-Star Team for the 2023-24 WHL season.

WHL Division All-Stars are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team
Goaltender – Brett Mirwald (Saskatoon Sask.) – Vancouver Giants
Defence – Hudson Thornton (Winnipeg, Man.) – Prince George Cougars
Defence – Justin Kipkie (Calgary, Alta.) – Victoria Royals
Forward – Zac Funk (Coldstream, B.C.) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Riley Heidt (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Tij Iginla (Lake Country, B.C.) – Kelowna Rockets

WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender – Brett Mirwald (Vancouver Giants): The 20-year-old product of Saskatoon, Sask., logged career highs in appearances (55), wins (29), and shutouts (2), while helping backstop the Giants to a sixth-place finish the WHL’s Western Conference. Originally selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the seventh round (154th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Mirwald owns a career record of 42-43-8-1 with a 3.23 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and two shutouts in 100 WHL Regular Season appearances.

Defence – Hudson Thornton (Prince George Cougars): The 20-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., finished fourth in scoring among all WHL defenders, tallying 74 points (18G-56A) in 68 contests. Originally selected by the Cougars in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Thornton has recorded 196 points (56G-140A) in 207 career WHL Regular Season games.

Defence – Justin Kipkie (Victoria Royals): The 18-year-old prospect of the Arizona Coyotes produced a career season with 52 points (16G-36A) in 67 games, good enough to finish fifth in scoring among all Royals skaters. The 6-foot-3, 194-pound product of Calgary, Alta., was originally selected by the Royals in the sixth round (126th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. In 142 career WHL Regular Season outings, he has registered 85 points (24G-61A).

Forward – Zac Funk (Prince George Cougars): The 20-year-old prospect of the Washington Capitals fired home a WHL-leading 67 goals this season. His 123 points were second among all WHL skaters. The outstanding campaign from the 6-foot, 210-pound product of Coldstream, B.C., earned him a free agent contract with the Washington Capitals on March 1, 2024. Named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on September 25, 2023, Funk started the season strong and never slowed. He was also recognized as the WHL’s Player of the Month for September/October. Originally selected by the Calgary Hitmen in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Funk notched 227 points (119G-108A) in 228 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward – Riley Heidt (Prince George Cougars): The 19-year-old prospect of the Minnesota Wild was a force to be reckoned with in 2023-24, finishing third in WHL scoring with 117 points (37G-80A) in 66 games. Heidt’s 80 helpers were second best in the WHL. From October 11 through November 27, 2023, Heidt strung together a point streak of 16 games, registering 33 points (8G-25A) along the way. On February 26, 2024, the 5-foot-11, 182-pound centre was recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week. Originally selected by the Prince George Cougars in the first round (second overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Heidt has tallied 280 points (85G-195A) in 221 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward – Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets): The 17-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., finished second in scoring among all Rockets with 84 points (47G-37A) in 62 games. His 47 goals were tied for sixth among all WHL skaters. Listed 11th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 186-pound power forward’s breakout campaign has him primed to hear his name called early in the NHL’s June draft. He was recognized as the Tempo WHL Player of the Week on December 18, 2023. Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Iginla has recorded 103 points (53G-50A) in 115 career WHL Regular Season games.

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.