Blazers forward Lafreniere named WHL Rookie of the Week
Calgary, Alta. – Kamloops Blazers forward Tommy Lafreniere has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 12, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
Lafreniere led all WHL rookies with two goals and four assists for six points in two games.
The 17-year-old put forward a heroic performance in a 5-4 overtime win against Vancouver on January 10. With the visiting Giants up 1-0 in the first period, Lafreniere found a temporary equalizer by tipping Nathan Behm’s shot home on the powerplay. He helped Jordan Keller tie the game again in the third period with a secondary assist on the alternate captain’s first goal of the night. The Giants seemed destined for the win when rookie blueliner Ryan Lin made it 4-3 for the visitors with less than two minutes remaining, but Lafreniere snagged the game-tying goal as he ripped a rebound top shelf with 10 seconds left in regulation. Keller capped off the night with the overtime winner as Lafreniere earned first star of the night.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1877948703975100423
Kamloops faced another major test the following night with the B.C. Division-leading Prince George Cougars rolling into town. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound winger starred again as he served up three assists in a 6-3 takedown of their rivals. Lafreniere was named first star again in the victory.
Lafreniere has 15 goals (including five powerplay tallies and a game-winner) and 21 assists for 36 points in 39 games.
He sits second in goals and third in points among all WHL first-year players.
The Hornby Island, B.C. product was drafted by Kamloops in the eighth round of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft and made his WHL debut on February 23, 2024. He netted two goals and two assists in nine call-up appearances in the tail end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Lafreniere is eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Kamloops (15-21-3-0) sits fifth in the B.C. Division and is knocking on the door of the Western Conference playoff race.
The Blazers will head to the Island this weekend for a pair of matches against the high-powered Victoria Royals (23-11-3-4).
Round One of the B.C. showdown is set for Friday, January 17 at 7:05 p.m. PST.
2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Week
September 23, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
September 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
October 7, 2024: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
October 15, 2024: Josh Banini, Moose Jaw Warriors
October 21, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
October 28, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 4, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
November 11, 2024: Ondrej Stebetak, Portland Winterhawks
November 18, 2024: Kason Kobelka, Calgary Hitmen
November 25, 2024: Jordan Duguay, Portland Winterhawks
December 2, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 9, 2024: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 16, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
December 23, 2024: Parker Rondeau, Swift Current Broncos
December 30, 2024: Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 6, 2025: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
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.
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