Predators prospect Sward named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Graham Sward of the Wenatchee Wild has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 18, 2024.
The Nashville Predators prospect led all WHL defencemen with two goals, four assists and a plus-one rating in two matches.
Sward got things started in a hurry against the Seattle Thunderbirds on February 14, weaving through two defenders before firing a shot top shelf to open the scoring just over two minutes into the match. He’d get an assist on fellow blueliner Karter Prosofsky’s tally midway through the frame to help the Wild take a 2-0 lead into the second period. Seattle would tie things up, but a well-placed powerplay point shot from Sward was deflected in to restore the Wenatchee lead. Sward would earn another helper on a similar play before hammering a one-timer past the Thunderbirds netminder to seal a 7-4 Wenatchee win. The Wild Captain was named first star as he registered his second multi-goal game and first five-point night in the WHL.
Sward would register another assist two nights later, though the Wild would fall to 7-1 to the Silvertips as Everett fought to clinch a playoff berth.
Do you be-weave it? It's another early goal for the Wild as Graham Sward glides to the net! #RestoreTheRoarWHLstyle pic.twitter.com/CeJHWxTXkl
— Wenatchee Wild (@WHLwild_) February 15, 2024
The Abbotsford, B.C. product is second in assists (52) and points (65) among all WHL defencemen and sits first in plus/minus with a plus-38 rating.
The Nashville Predators selected Sward with the 146th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-3, 191-pound defender was originally selected by the Spokane Chiefs 17th overall in the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft.
On the international stage, Sward represented Team Canada White at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, appearing in six games.
Wenatchee (28-22-4-0) is 3-7-0-0 in its last 10 games but looks to turn the tide as they host U.S. Division rival Spokane (22-26-4-1) on February 20.
2023-24 Tempo WHL Player of the Week
February 12, 2024: Emmitt Finnie, Kamloops Blazers (Detroit Red Wings)
February 5, 2024: Egor Sidorov, Saskatoon Blades (Anaheim Ducks)
January 29, 2024: Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary Hitmen
January 22, 2024: Luca Cagnoni, Portland Winterhawks (San Jose Sharks)
January 15, 2024: Matthew Savoie, Moose Jaw Warriors (Buffalo Sabres)
January 8, 2024: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 2, 2024: Chase Bertholet, Spokane Chiefs
December 18, 2023: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
December 11, 2023: Dominik Rymon, Everett Silvertips
December 4, 2023: Conor Geekie, Wenatchee Wild (Arizona Coyotes)
November 27, 2023: Andrew Basha, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 20, 2023: Koehn Ziemmer, Prince George Cougars (Los Angeles Kings)
November 13, 2023: Gabe Klassen, Portland Winterhawks
November 6, 2023: Trevor Wong, Saskatoon Blades
October 30, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)
October 23, 2023: Andrew Cristall, Kelowna Rockets (Washington Capitals)
October 16, 2023: Ryder Ritchie, Prince Albert Raiders
October 10, 2023: Easton Armstrong, Wenatchee Wild
October 2, 2023: Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw Warriors (Seattle Kraken)
September 25, 2023: Zac Funk, Prince George Cougars
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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