(WHL)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Week ending April 7

WHL announces Rebels goaltender Chase Wutzke as Rookie of the Week

Apr 9, 2024 | 2:21 PM

The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced their Weekly Award Winners on Tuesday, with the Red Deer Rebels’ goaltender Chase Wutzke named Kal Tire Rookie of the Week for the week ending April 7.

This is the first time the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible netminder has won Rookie of the Week, though he has been named Giuseppe WHL Goaltender of the Week three times and WHL Goaltender of the Month once in the 2023-24 season.

READ: Rebels Wutzke named WHL Goaltender of the Month for December

Wutzke backstopped the Rebels to a 3-0-0-0 record this week, posting a 2.25 goals-against average and .937 save percentage in his first WHL playoff series victory.

With Red Deer’s First-Round series against the Medicine Hat Tigers tied 1-1, Wutzke and the Rebels put on a show on home ice with a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 3. Wutzke denied top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Andrew Basha on a breakaway and held the Tigers scoreless on three powerplay opportunities. He also denied all five shots he faced in the extra frame to restore Red Deer’s series lead.

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Midway through the first period of Game 4, Wutzke kicked out his skate to deny a Gavin McKenna powerplay opportunity and sent Jhett Larsson on a breakaway to score the game-opening goal shorthanded. The Debden, Sask. product earned first star after stopping 33 of 35 shots and holding the Tabbies scoreless on four powerplay opportunities.

READ: Rebels close playoff series with 5-2 win against the Tigers; set to face Blades in round two

Wutzke saved his best performance of the series for last, saving 36 of 38 shots in a 5-2 win to help the Rebels advance to Round Two for a third-straight season.

He sports a 4-1-0-0 record in his first WHL playoff series with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

NHL Central Scouting has ranked Wutzke 13th among North American goalies in its midterm draft rankings. The 6-foot-2 netminder was originally selected by Red Deer in the second round, 40th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Red Deer will take on the regular season champion Saskatoon Blades in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.

The Rebels travel to the SaskTel Centre for Game 1 on Friday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. ST.

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