Washington Capitals prospect Cristall named Tempo WHL Player of the Week

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall of the Kelowna Rockets has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week for the week ending November 24, 2024.

The 5-foot-10, 183-pound right winger led all WHL players in scoring this past week, recording nine points (3G-6A) and a plus-4 rating in only three games.

By registering a point in each of his three games this week, Cristall extended his active point streak to 12 games. The product of Burnaby, B.C., has only been held off the scoresheet once in 15 appearances this season.

With 40 points (13G-27A) in 15 games this season, Cristall leads the Rockets and sits third in scoring in the WHL. His 27 assists rank second in the WHL.

Cristall started the week by securing two primary assists and directing five shots on goal Wednesday, November 20, in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Wenatchee Wild.

The Capitals prospect exploded for five points (1G-4A) Friday, November 22, and was named first star in a decisive 8-3 triumph over the B.C. Division rival Vancouver Giants. Cristall finished the night with four shots on goal and a plus-4 rating.

The crafty winger notched his 11th goal of the season early in the second period, giving the Rockets a 3-2 lead they refused to relinquish. All four of Cristall’s assists were of the primary variety – he set up the first two goals of the night for the Rockets, before adding helpers on Max Graham’s insurance tally and a late second period strike from newcomer Nate Corbet, helping Kelowna carry a commanding 7-2 advantage into the third period.

Cristall wrapped up his weekend with another first-star effort, logging two goals and a plus-1 rating as the Rockets fell in overtime to the WHL-leading Everett Silvertips.

The Rockets star gave his Club a 2-0 lead before the game was 11 minutes old, finding the back of the net at even strength 5:51 into the first period before adding a shorthanded tally 10:59 into regulation. Cristall finished the night with another five shots on goal as the Rockets collected a point in the standings against a high-flying Silvertips squad.

Cristall was selected by the Capitals in the second round (40th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Cristall collected a career-high 111 points (40G-71A), reaching the 40-goal plateau for the first time in his WHL career. The stellar season saw Cristall named to the WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team.

In 206 career WHL regular season games, Cristall has recorded 320 points (122G-198A). He was originally chosen by the Rockets in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.

Next up, Andrew Cristall and the Kelowna Rockets head to Portland for back-to-back games against the Winterhawks – Wednesday, November 27 (7 p.m. PT), and Friday, November 29 (1 p.m. PT).

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) 

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, Alta. 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.