Flames prospect Laing named Tempo WHL Player of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Saskatoon Blades forward Hunter Laing has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 9, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

Laing scored four goals and added an assist for five points in two key divisional wins that helped the Blades secure a berth in the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.

The Kelowna, B.C. product returned to the Saskatoon lineup after a two-game absence with a game-changing two-goal, one assist effort against the rival Prince Albert Raiders on March 7. With the game scoreless in the second period, Laing and the visiting Blades took advantage of a four-minute powerplay that saw Hudson Kibblewhite bury a Laing rebound to open the scoring. Laing doubled the lead with a long wrister on the same powerplay. The tally saw Laing reach 20 goals for the first time in his WHL career. Prince Albert would storm back to tie the game at two heading into the final period, but Laing netted the dagger with a point-blank one-timer from the slot off of a Cooper Williams feed. The 3-2 victory saw Laing claim first star honours.

The 6-foot-6, 209-pound winger came in clutch again as the series shifted to Saskatoon the following night. Laing struck first with a picture-perfect redirection from the bumper position off of another Williams pass on a first-period powerplay. He added some insurance midway through the final frame by bursting past the Raiders defenders to whip a shot past Max Hildebrand to put the game out of reach for Prince Albert. The eventual 4-1 win saw Saskatoon clinch a playoff berth for a sixth straight season and Laing pick up second star of the night.

Laing has 23 goals (including four game-winners) and 17 assists for 40 points in 57 games. Eighteen of those points have come since he was acquired by the Blades at the 2025 WHL Trade Deadline.

He leads the Blades in goals and game-winning goals and is fifth in points.

Originally selected by Prince George with the 33^rd overall pick in the second round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Laing has been a formidable presence on WHL ice while finding his goal-scoring touch. He’s racked up 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 career points in 131 regular-season games. Laing also picked up a goal in 12 playoff games with the Prince George Cougars, most of which came in the team’s 2024 run to the Western Conference Championship.

The Calgary Flames selected Laing in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Saskatoon (33-21-3-4) sits second in the East Division, though the Blades have a game in hand against the division-leading Raiders. All seven of the Blades’ remaining regular season games will come against divisional opponents with a top seed in the 2025 WHL Playoffs on the line.

Next up, Laing and the Blades will travel to Regina to take on the Pats (15-39-5-3) on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. ST.

2024-25 Tempo WHL Player of the Week
September 23, 2024: Roger McQueen, Brandon Wheat Kings
September 30, 2024: Nathan Behm, Kamloops Blazers
October 7, 2024: Shea Van Olm, Spokane Chiefs
October 15, 2024: Mazden Leslie, Vancouver Giants
October 21, 2024: Ben Kindel, Calgary Hitmen
October 28, 2024: Nathan Behm, Kamloops Blazers
November 4, 2024: Brady Birnie, Swift Current Broncos
November 11, 2024: Koehn Ziemmer, Prince George Cougars (Los Angeles Kings)
November 18, 2024: Tomas Mrsic, Prince Albert Raiders (St. Louis Blues)
November 25, 2024: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)
December 2, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 9, 2024: Tyson Jugnauth, Portland Winterhawks (Seattle Kraken)
December 16, 2024: Gracyn Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings (Florida Panthers)
December 23, 2024: Rilen Kovacevic, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
January 6, 2025: Evan Friesen, Wenatchee Wild
January 13, 2025: Andrew Cristall, Spokane Chiefs (Washington Capitals)
January 20, 2025: Berkly Catton, Spokane Chiefs (Seattle Kraken)
January 27, 2025: Quinn Mantei, Brandon Wheat Kings
February 3, 2025: Andrew Cristall, Spokane Chiefs (Washington Capitals)
February 10, 2025: Cole Reschny, Victoria Royals
February 18, 2025: Berkly Catton, Spokane Chiefs (Seattle Kraken)
February 24, 2025: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
March 3, 2025: Teydon Trembecky, 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 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.

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