Thunderbirds netminder Malinoski named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Seattle Thunderbirds netminder Grayson Malinoski has been named Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, September 27. This marks the second consecutive week Malinoski has been recognized with the award.
A 19-year-old product of Saskatoon, Sask., Malinoski was perfect once again this weekend, going 1-0-0-0 with a 0.00 goals-against average, 1.000 save percentage, and 32 saves.
Saturday, September 26, Malinoski turned in a perfect performance as the Thunderbirds shut down the Prince George Cougars by an 8-0 score. The 6-foot, 170-pound puckstopper took care of the crease, making 11 saves in each of the first and second periods, and another 10 saves in the third period. For the second consecutive Thunderbirds outing, Malinoski was named first star of the game.
Last weekend, Malinoski turned in a 31-save effort as the Thunderbirds blanked the Wenatchee Wild in overtime by a 1-0 score. That result served as Malinoski’s first career WHL shutout.
The last Thunderbirds netminder to record back-to-back shutouts was Landon Bow, who accomplished the feat January 19 and 22, 2016, defeating the Saskatoon Blades and Portland Winterhawks.
The Thunderbirds last posted back-to-back shutouts as a team during the 2022-23 season, with Thomas Milic blanking the Victoria Royals on February 20, 2023, and Scott Ratzlaff shutting out the Royals the following night – February 21.
Malinoski is the first WHL goaltender to begin the season with back-to-back shutouts since Everett Silvertips netminder Dustin Wolf secured back-to-back shutouts to start the 2020-21 campaign. Wolf, now with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, went on to secure three consecutive shutouts. He was perfect against the Spokane Chiefs once and Tri-City Americans twice during his impressive start in 2020-21.
Malinoski is the sixth WHL goaltender since 2024-25 to record back-to-back shutouts in back-to-back games, including playoffs. He joins Michal Orsulak of the Prince Albert Raiders (April 11 and 14, 2026), Parker Snell of the Edmonton Oil Kings (February 27 and 28, 2026), Burke Hood of the Vancouver Giants (January 3 and 4, 2025), Daniel Hauser of the Calgary Hitmen (February 19 and 21, 2025), and Evan Gardner of the Saskatoon Blades (March 14 and 16, 2025).
This represents the first time in franchise history the Thunderbirds have started the season with back-to-back shutouts. Thunderbirds franchise history dates to 1977-78 when the Club was known as the Breakers. The team became known as the Thunderbirds for the 1985-86 WHL season.
With a perfect record of 2-0-0-0 to start the season, the Thunderbirds are one of four undefeated teams remaining in the WHL’s Western Conference, joining the Victoria Royals, Portland Winterhawks, and Spokane Chiefs.
Undrafted into the WHL, Malinoski signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Thunderbirds on November 27, 2023. He made his WHL debut during the 2023-24 season, appearing in three contests with Seattle.
Malinoski is in his third full season in the WHL. Over 60 career appearances, he is 20-30-2-3.
The Thunderbirds will look to continue their strong start to the campaign when they host the Wenatchee Wild (0-2-1-0) on Friday, October 2, at accesso ShoWare Center. Stream the action FREE on YouTube.
Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 21, 2026: Grayson Malinoski, Seattle Thunderbirds
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 60 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.
