WHL names 2023-24 East Division Second All-Star Team

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the Second All-Star Teams for the 2023-24 WHL season.

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

WHL East Division Second All-Star Team

Goaltender – Carson Bjarnason (Carberry, Man.) – Brandon Wheat Kings
Defence – Charlie Wright (Olds, Alta.) – Saskatoon Blades
Defence – Justice Christensen (Red Deer, Alta.) – Prince Albert Raiders
Forward – Atley Calvert (Moose Jaw, Sask.) – Moose Jaw Warriors
Forward – Sloan Stanick (Rapid City, Man.) – Prince Albert Raiders
Forward – Brayden Yager (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Moose Jaw Warriors

WHL East Division Second All-Star Team Biographies

Goaltender – Carson Bjarnason (Brandon Wheat Kings): The 18-year-old prospect of the Philadelphia Flyers secured a career-best 24 wins during the 2023-24 campaign, backstopping the Wheat Kings to a sixth-place finish in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound netminder sign his NHL entry-level contract with the Flyers in September 2023 after being selected in the second round (51st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. Passed over in the WHL Draft, Bjarnason has been the backbone of the Wheat Kings, going 53-46-10-2 with a 3.21 goals-against average, .900 save percentage and five shutouts in 116 career appearances dating back to 2021-22.

Defence – Charlie Wright (Saskatoon Blades): The 20-year-old product of Olds, Alta., helped guide the powerhouse Blades to a Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as he chipped in with 35 points (5G-30A) in 68 games this season. The 6-foot-1, 182-pound blueliner was originally selected by the Blades in the fourth round (70th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft and has posted 104 points (15G-89A) in 256 career WHL Regular Season games.

Defence – Justice Christensen (Prince Albert Raiders): The 18-year-old product of Red Deer, Alta., was a steadying presence on the blueline for the Raiders, recording a career-high 45 points (13G-32A) in 68 games this season. Unselected in the WHL Draft, Christensen has been a nice find for the Raiders, posting 54 points in 132 career WHL Regular Season games since signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement in May 2022.

Forward – Atley Calvert (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 20-year-old hometown product became the highest-scoring Moose Jaw-born player in Warriors history this past season as he pushed his career totals to 220 points (105G-115A). With 95 points (47G-48A) in 68 games this season, Calvert recorded new career highs and finished 14th in WHL scoring. From January 17 through March 8, 2024, he cruised to a 21-game point streak, collecting 42 points (20G-22A) along the way. The impressive run helped Calvert to being named WHL Player of the Month for February. The 6-foot, 193-pound centre was unselected in the WHL Draft.

Forward – Sloan Stanick (Prince Albert Raiders): The 20-year-old product of Rapid City, Man., exploded for a career season in Hockeytown North, registering 84 points to go with a second-consecutive 30-goal season. The 6-foot-1, 187-pound left winger has been a force since landing in Prince Albert, notching 81 goals and 194 points in 196 games. Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the seventh round (145th overall) of the 2018 WHL Draft, Stanick has recorded 207 points in 274 career WHL Regular Season games, split between the Raiders and Regina Pats.

Forward – Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw Warriors): The 19-year-old prospect of the Pittsburgh Penguins emerged offensively in 2023-24, smashing his previous career best by recording 95 points in 57 games. For the second time in his WHL career, Yager surpassed the 30-goal plateau, hitting 35 goals. The 6-foot, 170-pound product of Saskatoon enters the 2024 WHL Playoffs riding an active 14-game point streak in which he has posted 33 points (10G-23A) dating back to February 21, 2024. Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round (14th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Yager has collected 250 points (104G-146A) in 211 career WHL Regular Season outings.

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.