WHL names 2023-24 East Division First All-Star Team
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the East Division First All-Star Team for the 2023-24 WHL season.
WHL Division All-Stars are voted upon by WHL General Managers.
WHL East Division First All-Star Team
Goaltender – Jackson Unger (Calgary, Alta.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
Defence – Tanner Molendyk (McBride, B.C.) – Saskatoon Blades
Defence – Denton Mateychuk (Dominion City, Man.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward – Trevor Wong (Vancouver, B.C.) – Saskatoon Blades
Forward – Jagger Firkus (Irma, Alta.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward – Egor Sidorov (Vitebsk, Belarus) – Saskatoon Blades
WHL East Division First All-Star Team Biographies
Goaltender – Jackson Unger (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., led the WHL in wins with 35 this season. In 54 appearances, the 6-foot-1, 188-pound puckstopper went 35-15-0-2 with a 3.08 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and three shutouts. Eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft, Unger is listed 18th among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. Unger was recognized as the Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week on December 4, 2023. Originally selected by the Warriors in the third round (53rd overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Unger owns a career record of 58-38-0-2 with a 3.50 GAA and four shutouts.
Defence – Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades): The 19-year-old prospect of the Nashville Predators produced 56 points (10G-46A) in 50 games, representing career bests. Selected by the Predators in the first round (24th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the product of McBride, B.C., has recorded 113 points (22G-91A) in 189 career WHL Regular Season games. The 6-foot-, 181-pound defenceman was originally selected by the Blades in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Defence – Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old prospect of the Columbus Blue Jackets logged a second consecutive season of 65 points or more from the blueline, finishing the 2023-24 campaign with 75 points (17G-58A) in only 52 games. With 215 points (41G-174A) to his credit through 203 career WHL Regular Season games, Mateychuk established a new Warriors record for career points by a defenceman, surpassing Nathan Paetsch, who held the record since 2003. Over the course of the season, Mateychuk put together a 23-game point streak from October 10 throuh December 8, 2023, managing 35 points (6G-29A) in the process. The product of Dominion City, Man., was originally selected by the Warriors in the first round (11th overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft.
Forward – Trevor Wong (Saskatoon Blades): The 20-year-old product of Vancouver, B.C., led the WHL with an impressive 89 assists during the 2023-24 season. With 101 points to his name, Wong finished tied for ninth in scoring among all WHL players. From December 1, 2023 through January 5, 2024, the 5-foot-9, 158-pound centre enjoyed a 10-game point streak, tallying 24 points (5G-19A). Originally selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the first round (18th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Wong has recorded 260 points (72G-188A) in 265 career WHL Regular Season games.
Forward – Jagger Firkus (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old prospect of the Seattle Kraken served as a one-man highlight machine in 2023-24, claiming the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s Top Scorer after registering 126 points (61G-65A) in 63 games. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound product of Irma, Alta., was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on three occasions – October 2 and October 30, 2023, as well as most recently on March 25, 2024. The crafty pivot recorded the WHL’s longest point scoring streak this regular season, stretching 51 points (19G-32A) across 26 games from November 25, 2023 through February 17, 2024. Originally selected by the Warriors in the fourth round (82nd overall) of the 2019 WHL Draft, Firkus owns 310 points (144G-166A) in 230 career WHL Regular Season games.
Forward – Egor Sidorov (Saskatoon Blades): The 19-year-old prospect of the Anaheim Ducks was one of five WHL players to reach the 50-goal plateau in 2023-24, waiting until his final shift of the regular season to hit the mark. With 88 points (50G-38A) in 66 games, Sidorov established new career bests in all major offensive categories. The product of Vitebsk, Belarus, was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on February 5, 2024. Selected by the Blades in the first round (20th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft, Sidorov has notched 199 points (113G-86A) in 177 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.