WHL names 2023-24 Central Division First All-Star Team

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

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

WHL Central Division First All-Star Team

Goaltender – Harrison Meneghin (South Surrey, B.C.) – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Defence – Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary, Alta.) – Calgary Hitmen
Defence – Owen Pickering (St. Adolphe, Man.) – Swift Current Broncos
Forward – Conor Geekie (Strathclair, Man.) – Swift Current Broncos
Forward – Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, Yukon) – Medicine Hat Tigers
Forward – Kai Uchacz (DeWinton, Alta.) – Red Deer Rebels

WHL Central Division First All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender – Harrison Meneghin (Lethbridge Hurricanes): The 19-year-old product of South Surrey, B.C., enjoyed a career campaign, logging a record of 27-20-5-0 with a 2.59 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and three shutouts across 53 appearances. Listed 26^th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, Meneghin was named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week on January 2, 2024. Unselected in the WHL Draft, Meneghin was signed by the Hurricanes to a WHL Scholarship and Development in September 2021. Over 90 career WHL Regular Season appearances, the 6-foot-3, 170-pound puckstopper is 46-32-7-2 with a 2.72 GAA, .913 SV% and four shutouts.

Defence – Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary Hitmen): The 18-year-old homegrown product from Calgary reached the 30-goal plateau in 2023-24, tallying 71 points in 66 games. Yakemchuk’s output was good enough to finish fifth in scoring among all WHL defencemen. Yakemchuk was a steady presence on the Calgary blueline all season long. His role as a catalyst on offense saw him recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 29, 2024. Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 194-pound rearguard is listed sixth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scoutings midterm rankings. Originally selected by the Hitmen in the third round (65th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Yakemchuk has recorded 131 points (53G-78A) in 189 WHL Regular Season contest.

Defence – Owen Pickering (Swift Current Broncos): The 20-year-old prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins produced 46 points (7G-39A) in 59 contests this season, leading all Broncos blueliners in scoring. Selected by the Penguins in the first round (21st overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Pickering has notched 133 points (27G-106A) in 205 career WHL Regular Season contests. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound defenceman was originally selected by the Broncos in the ninth round (177th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft.

Forward – Conor Geekie (Swift Current Broncos): The 19-year-old prospect of the Arizona Coyotes arrival in Swift Current helped the Broncos surge during the second half en route to claiming the franchise’s first Central Division title since 1995-96. Geekie recorded 50 points (23G-27A) in 29 games as a member of the Broncos, adding to the 49 points (20G-29A) he logged in 26 games as a member of the Wenatchee Wild. With 99 points (43G-56A) to his credit through 55 games, the product of Strathclair, Man., finished 11th in scoring among all WHL players. As a member of the Wild, Geekie was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on December 4, 2023. Originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE in the first round (second overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Geekie has posted 269 points (111G-158A) in 215 career WHL Regular Season games.

Forward – Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers): The 16-year-old product of Whitehorse, Yukon, captured the attention of the hockey world by erupting for 97 points (34G-63A) in 61 games. Having only turned 16 on December 20, 2023, McKenna’s output rivalled that of a 16-year-old Connor Bedard, who secured 100 points (51G-49A) in 62 games with the Regina Pats during the 2021-22 season. The 6-foot, 165-pound left winger was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on January 8, 2024. He was also named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week on back-to-back occasions – January 22 and January 29, 2024. Originally selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers with the first-overall pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Forward – Kai Uchacz (Red Deer Rebels): The 20-year-old product of DeWinton, Alta., secured his second consecutive 80-point campaign by recording 81 points (42G-39A) in 68 games this season. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Uchacz enjoyed a 12-game point streak from October 27 through November 28, 2023, tallying 18 points (10G-8A). Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (10th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Uchacz has collected 209 points (109G-100A) in 245 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.