Half of the BC Division All-Stars play in Prince George.
The WHL unveiled its annual division All-Star team selections this afternoon (Tuesday) as teams gear up for playoffs this weekend.
Riley Heidt, Zac Funk, and Hudson Thornton were all named first-team All-Stars, alongside Vancouver’s Brett Mirwald, Victoria’s Justin Kipkie, and Kelowna’s Tij Iginla.
Presenting the 2023-24 First Team All-Stars from the B.C. Division!
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 26, 2024
Funk finished second place in league scoring with 67 goals and 123 points in 68 games.
It was the most successful individual campaign in the team’s history, including the most goals and points ever scored in a single season.
He also finished the year +56, which is also a franchise record.
FUNK DIDN'T HEAR NO BELL.#ALLCAPS @Capitals https://t.co/XC7Upcr8tS pic.twitter.com/rG29UnIOGE
— xy – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) March 3, 2024
Heidt finished just behind Funk in league and team scoring with 117 points in 66 games.
He had 37 goals and 80 assists, becoming the franchise’s all-time leading point scorer and breaking his own record for most assists recorded in a single season.
On the day he signs an NHL contract with the #mnwild, Riley Heidt closes out the season with a hat-trick.@PGCougars | @mnwild pic.twitter.com/ZAIWMsU4Pn
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 24, 2024
Thornton finished 5th in team scoring and 4th among league defensemen with 18 goals and 74 points.
He is now the franchise leader in goals, assists, and points by a blueliner, and tied his own franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a single season.
HUDSON THORNTON HAS THE MOST POINTS BY A DEFENSEMAN IN FRANCHISE HISTORY!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/rcQXDa42ha pic.twitter.com/kN4jOIbgEy
— xy – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) December 17, 2023
Three Cougars were also named second team All-Stars: Terik Parascak, Viliam Kmec, and Josh Ravensbergen.
Parascak, “The Super Rookie,” put together what was far and away the most impressive rookie season in franchise history – scoring 43 goals and 105 points, finishing 3rd in team scoring, 8th in overall scoring, and 1st in rookie scoring.
Brett Connolly was the team’s previous most productive rookie with an even 30 goals and 30 assists.
It's almost like Perry could hear @Reganrant 🙉
That's 20 goals for the Super Rookie this season!#NHLDraft https://t.co/2KVqy4zzPa pic.twitter.com/LlQTtfCPWw
— xy – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) November 19, 2023
Kmec finished his third season with the team with new personal bests in goals, points, and +/- rating.
He had 9 goals and 34 points in 58 games played for the team, as well as 34 penalty minutes.
For the third straight year, Kmec represented Slovakia at the World Juniors.
Ondrej takes three Royals with him, Kmec finishes the job 😻😻 https://t.co/yhnuIta4Gr pic.twitter.com/XFCr2aVF6H
— xy – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) February 4, 2023
Rookie goaltender Josh Ravensbergen had a jaw-dropping 26-4-1-1 record, playing in 38 games this season.
He finished the year with a 0.907 SAV% and a 2.46 GAA. He also recorded 6 shutouts on the season – all before the Christmas break – which ties an all-time league record for shutouts by a rookie, and led the entire WHL in shutouts this season.
The second All-Star team members are Kelowna’s Andrew Cristall and Caden Price, as well as Vancouver’s Jaden Lipinski.
Introducing the 2023-24 Second Team All-Stars from the B.C. Division!
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 26, 2024
You can find more franchise records set by this year’s team here.
McBride native Tanner Molendyk was named a first team All-Star in the WHL’s East Division.
He had 56 points in 50 games for the Saskatoon Blades after being drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round of last year’s NHL draft.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
