Los Angeles Kings prospect Ziemmer named Tempo WHL Player of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – Prince George Cougars forward Koehn Ziemmer has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 10, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

The 19-year-old Los Angeles Kings prospect erupted for seven goals and an assist over three games, including his second hat trick in 10 days.

READ MORE: LA Kings watching closely as Ziemmer enjoys final WHL season

Ziemmer rallied the Cats with a two-goal effort in an overtime loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Saskatoon Blades at Prince George’s CN Centre on November 5. With the Blades up 1-0 late in the first period, Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt teed up Ziemmer on the backdoor for a powerplay tally to level the match. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound forward gave Prince George its first lead of the night early in the middle frame with a bad-angle shot from behind the net deflecting off the goaltender and in. Saskatoon would ultimately take a 4-3 overtime victory, but Ziemmer was named first star of the night.

Next up, the Cougars hosted another strong squad in the Vancouver Giants for a pair of tilts in the Northern Capital. With Prince George leading the G-men 3-1 in the second period, Ziemmer extended the lead with a lethal wrist shot off the rush. Midway through the third, the Cougars picked off an attempted Vancouver clearing pass and lofted a long shot on net, where Ziemmer snapped up the rebound for a highlight reel-worthy backhand goal. He capped off the natural hat trick less than two minutes later with another deceptive bad-angle shot. This marks his second hat trick of the season and the third of his WHL career. Ziemmer was named first star once again as the Cougars got back in the win column with a 7-1 victory in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 fans.

Koehn can't miss!@PGCougars | @LAKings | #WHLHatTricks pic.twitter.com/IiMkH87oJ2

— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 10, 2024

The Giants fought hard in a much tighter affair on Sunday night, but Ziemmer still proved unstoppable as the Cats earned points for a seventh straight game. The Mayerthorpe, Alta. product drew a roughing penalty in the early goings of the game and capitalized for his sixth powerplay goal of the season. Prince George- which boasts the league’s second most effective powerplay- made it 2-0 on another man advantage when Ziemmer ripped a pass to Lee Shurgot for the youngster’s second goal of the campaign. Vancouver battled back to force overtime, but Ziemmer called game just 31 seconds into the extra frame to seal the 5-4 win and a fourth straight first star of the game recognition.

The Cougars alternate captain is enjoying a career-best season that’s seen him pot 17 goals and seven assists for 24 points in 13 games. He leads his Prince George teammates in goals and is tied for second in goals and powerplay goals (six) among all WHL skaters. He’s currently on a five-game point streak that’s seen him snap up 11 goals and two assists.

Ziemmer was selected by the Los Angeles Kings 78^th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and has since signed his entry-level contract.

Now in his final year of major junior, the Cougars’ 2019 fourth-overall pick has established himself as one of the greatest players to ever wear the team crest. With 108 goals and 213 points in 196 WHL games, Ziemmer ranks third in goals and ninth in points since the team moved to Prince George ahead of the 1994-95 season.

Prince George (11-4-3-2) will now await WHL scoring dynamos Andrew Cristall (Washington Capitals) and Tij Iginla (Utah Hockey Club) as the Kelowna Rockets (6-7-1-1) travel north for a two-game set against the Cougars on November 15 and 16.

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

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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