Mateychuk named WHL defencman of the year
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Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk has been awarded the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as WHL’s defenceman of the year for 2023-24, the league announced Tuesday.
The 19-year-old bested a talented group of award finalists, including: Winnipegger Hudson Thornton of the Prince George Cougars (B.C. Division); Carter Yakemchuk of the Calgary Hitmen (Central Division); and Abbotsford, B.C.’s Graham Sward of the Wenatchee Wild (U.S. Division).
“It’s a huge honour to win the top defenceman award this year,” said Mateychuk in a release. “I want to take the time to congratulate the other division winners on their great seasons. It was pretty cool to be able to tell my family that I won the award after all we’ve been through together and all they’ve done for me.
GRAHAM HUGHES / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk.
“It was also really cool to share with my teammates and my coaches. I want to thank them for all that they’ve done for me this year and in the previous years and for the player that I am today. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Mateychuk, chosen in the first round (12th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, had a career year, registering 17 goals and 75 points and a plus-35 rating in 52 regular-season games.
His 1.44 points-per-game average led all WHL defencemen, and his 75 points ranked third.
Mateychuk, a WHL East Division first team all-star, improved his career total sto 41 goals and 215 points in 203 regular-season games with Moose Jaw, setting a franchise record for points by a defenceman on March 17, 2024.
He was also named to Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden, where he put up four assists and a plus-6 rating in five games.
The 5-11, 191-pounder has signed an entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets.
— staff
