Chiefs netminder Esler named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Spokane Chiefs netminder Carter Esler has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 18.

The 17-year-old Esler went 1-0-0-0 with a 0.00 goals-against average, 1.000 save percentage, and one shutout this past week.

Hailing from Okotoks, Alta., the 5-foot-10, 166-pound puckstopper was perfect in his lone appearance, turning aside 29 shots Friday, January 16, as the Chiefs blanked the WHL-leading Everett Silvertips by a 4-0 score. Esler was named first star of the game for his efforts in protecting a 1-0 Spokane lead that held up from the first period until the Chiefs were able to add some insurance in the third period.

In his second season with the Chiefs, Esler has appeared in a career high 23 contests, going 11-12-0-0 with a 3.16 GAA, .895 SV%, and three shutouts.

Selected by the Chiefs in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Esler served as backup last season when Spokane advanced to the 2025 WHL Championship Series. In 41 career regular season games, Esler is 21-18-1-0 with a 3.19 GAA, .895 SV%, and three shutouts.

Coming out of the weekend, the Chiefs (21-20-1-0) rank ninth in the WHL’s Western Conference, having collected points in three straight games (2-0-1-0).

Next up, the Chiefs visit the Portland Winterhawks (21-21-2-0) in an all-important U.S. Division clash Monday, January 19, at 3 p.m. PT.

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

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.