2026 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Snell named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Parker Snell of the Edmonton Oil Kings has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1.

Snell, a 17-year-old product of St. Albert, Alta., went 2-0-0-0 with a perfect 0.00 goals-against average, 1.000 save percentage, and two shutouts this past week, turning aside 54 shots in the process.

Ranked 21st among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting, Snell is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. This marks the second time this season Snell has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week, after he was previously recognized October 6, 2025.

The 6-foot-2, 173-pound puckstopper started his weekend with a 34-save effort Friday, February 27, as the Oil Kings blanked the Red Deer Rebels by a 2-0 score at Marchant Crane Centrium. Snell backstopped his squad through a nailbiter, as the Oil Kings protected a 1-0 lead for almost the entire duration of regulation. Lukas Sawchyn spotted the visitors a 1-0 lead only 48 seconds into the first period and from there, Snell took care of his side of the equation as the Rebels outshot the Oil Kings 34-23 in the contest. Insurance didn’t come until defenceman Ethan MacKenzie recorded his 19th goal of the season – this one into an empty net – with only 1:28 to go in regulation. The Rebels poured it on in the third period, outshooting the Oil Kings 15-9, and Snell turned aside every last puck sent his way. He was named first star of the game for his outstanding performance.

Snell kept the momentum rolling Saturday, February 28, back on home ice, making 20 saves as the Oil Kings shutout the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes by a 6-0 margin. Though the rookie netminder received more support on offense in this contest, he was named first star in a game that saw Lethbridge come out swinging, outshooting the hosts 10-8 during the first period of play. From there, the Oil Kings turned the table and took control of the game.

In his first full season with the Oil Kings, Snell is 17-7-1-0 with a 2.94 GAA, .886 SV%, and three shutouts. His three shutouts are tied for fourth among all WHL goaltenders.

Selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the second round (34th overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Snell made his WHL debut during the 2024-25 season, appearing in two games, going 2-0-0-0 with a 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%, and one shutout.

Over 29 career WHL regular season appearances, the Oil Kings netminder is 19-7-1-0 with a 2.75 GAA, .894 SV%, and four shutouts.

Coming out of the weekend, the Oil Kings (39-16-3-2) having secured a berth in the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Winners of three straight games, they sit third in the WHL’s Eastern Conference and second in the WHL’s Central Division, trailing the Medicine Hat Tigers (42-9-5-3).

Next up, the Oil Kings host the Tigers in a must-see Central Division clash Saturday, March 7 (7 p.m. MT) at Rogers Place and streaming FREE on Victory+.

Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week

September 22, 2025: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
September 29, 2025: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings
October 14, 2025: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
October 20, 2025: Burke Hood, Vancouver Giants
October 27, 2025: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees
November 3, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
November 10, 2025: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
November 17, 2025: Anders Miller, Everett Silvertips
November 24, 2025: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
December 1, 2025: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
December 8, 2025: Matthew Hutchison, Regina Pats
December 15, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
December 22, 2025: Marek Sklenicka, Seattle Thunderbirds
December 29, 2025: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 5, 2026: Xavier Wendt, Tri-City Americans
January 12, 2026: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
January 19, 2026: Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs
January 26, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees
February 2, 2026: Jayden Kraus, Brandon Wheat Kings
February 9, 2026: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
February 16, 2026: Grayson Malinoski, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 23, 2026: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings

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 consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 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 over 50 years. The WHL is also the 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.