Winterhawks netminder Špunar named WHL Goaltender of the Month for September/October

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today Portland Winterhawks netminder Jan Špunar has been named WHL Goaltender of the Month for September / October 2023.

Špunar, 19, went 7-2-0-0 with a 1.63 goals-against average, .936 save percentage and one shutout to start the season. Heading into November, he leads the WHL in GAA and SV%, while his seven victories are tied for third among all WHL goaltenders.

The product of Olomouc, Czechia, began the campaign with a seven-game winning streak, which stretched from Saturday, September 30 through Saturday, October 21.

The 6-foot-3, 199-pound Špunar has allowed two or less goals in eight of his nine appearances this season.

He made a season-high 42 saves Friday, October 6, backstopping the Winterhawks to a 4-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips.

Špunar recorded his first career WHL shutout Sunday, October 15, turning aside 22 shots in a 7-0 triumph over the Tri-City Americans. He was named WHL Goaltender of the Week for his efforts during a week in which he also stopped 26 of 27 shots in a 4-1 win over the Kamloops Blazers on Friday, October 13.

Wednesday, October 25, Špunar was identified by NHL Central Scouting on its Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2024 NHL Draft. Given a ‘W’ rating, NHL Central Scouting currently projects Špunar as a potential sixth- or seventh-round candidate for the 2024 NHL Draft.

The second-year import attended training camp with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens this fall.

Originally selected by the Winterhawks in the first round (52nd overall) of the 2022 CHL Import Draft, Špunar has been between the pipes for 40 career WHL Regular Season games with the Winterhawks, going 24-9-2-1 with a 2.38 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout.

Heading into November, the Portland Winterhawks rank third in the WHL’s Western Conference with a record of 8-4-0-0. Thanks to Špunar’s contributions, the Winterhawks are the stingiest team in the WHL’s Western Conference, having allowed a mere 32 goals against in 12 outings (2.67 goals against per game).

Jan Špunar and the Portland Winterhawks return to action Wednesday, November 1 (7 p.m. MT) when they continue their Central Division road trip in Medicine Hat.

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.