Americans netminder Wendt named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Tri-City Americans netminder Xavier Wendt has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 4.

The 17-year-old Wendt, who hails from Plymouth, Minn., went 2-0-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .968 save percentage, facing 93 shots in two games. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Wendt was assigned a ‘W’ rating by NHL Central Scouting in its Preliminary Players to Watch List on October 20.

The 6-foot-1, 179-pound puckstopper was lights out on New Year’s Eve, turning aside 48 of 50 shots to backstop the Ams to a 3-2 win over the Spokane Chiefs. Wendt faced double-digit shot totals in all three periods, including 14 in the first, 19 in the second, and another 17 in the third period. He was named first star of the game for his impressive performance.

The first-year WHL netminder wasn’t done there. He followed up his New Year’s Eve effort with a 42-save performance Saturday, January 3, as the Americans defeated the Victoria Royals by a 4-1 score. Tri-City was outshot 43-25 in the contest and Wendt was once again named first star of the game for backstopping his Club to victory.

In his first WHL season, Wendt is 14-7-0-0 with a 2.31 GAA, .932 SV%, and one shutout. On December 3, 2025, he also became the first WHL netminder to score a goal this season, when he fired the puck the length of the ice into an empty net in a 4-0 win over the Swift Current Broncos.

Wendt ranks among the WHL leaders in numerous goaltending categories including GAA (first), SV% (first), saves (686 – sixth), and wins (T-7th).

Dating back to December 13, Wendt has won five consecutive starts, knocking off the Wenatchee Wild, Kamloops Blazers, Portland Winterhawks, Chiefs, and Royals. On six occasions this season, he has turned aside 35 shots or more.

Wendt signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Americans on May 21, 2025. He joined the Club following three years at Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep School.

Coming out of the weekend, the Americans (20-14-2-0) rank fifth in the WHL’s Western Conference and are 7-3-0-0 in their previous 10 games.

Next up, the Americans will visit the 2026 Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets (17-14-3-2) on Wednesday, January 7 (7:05 p.m. PT), at Prospera Place.

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

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.