Islanders prospect Kvasnicka named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today New York Islanders prospect and Penticton Vees forward Jacob Kvasnicka has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 4.

The 18-year-old product of Burnsville, Minn., earned his second Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week honours of the season after posting eight points (3G-5A) in four games, helping the Vees go 4-0-0-0 this past week.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound right winger started his week Monday, December 29, with a power-play goal in a 6-4 win over the Kelowna Rockets.

The following night, Kvasnicka logged the primary assist on an insurance goal from Chase Valliant, as the Vees skated to a 3-1 home win over the Victoria Royals.

Starting the New Year on the right foot, Kvasnicka recorded three assists Thursday, January 1, as the Vees edged the Prince George Cougars in overtime by a 6-5 score. Once again, Kvasnicka connected with Valliant, this time to give the Vees a 2-1 advantage during the second period. In the third period, the Isles prospect contributed on a goal from Brooks DeMars, as Penticton erased a 5-3 deficit to force overtime. In the extra period, Kvasnicka found Ethan Weber who converted 26 seconds into overtime to give the Vees the win. Kvasnicka was named second star of the game for his performance.

On Saturday, January 3, Kvasnicka wrapped up his week with another three-point game (1G-2A), as the Vees defeated the Spokane Chiefs by a 5-1 margin. Midway through the first period, Kvasnicka set up Ryden Evers for his 22nd goal of the season, giving Penticton a 3-1 lead. In the early stages of the second period, Kvasnicka converted while shorthanded to extend the advantage further. Rounding out the scoring, The Minnesota product registered his 17th goal of the season, this one at even strength, 6:52 into the third period. Kvasnicka was named first star of the game for his performance.

In his first WHL season, Kvasnicka ranks second on the Vees with 43 points (17G-26A) in 34 games. Acquired by the Vees from the Wenatchee Wild on June 19, Kvasnicka was originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE in the second round (34th overall) of the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

This summer, Kvasnicka was selected by the New York Islanders in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.

The expansion Vees are 20-9-4-3 coming out of the weekend and rank third in the WHL’s Western Conference. Next up, Penticton travels to Prince George to face the Cougars (23-12-2-0) in a must-watch B.C. Division showdown on Tuesday, January 6 at 7 p.m. PT.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild
December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals
December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild

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.