Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Portland Winterhawks goaltender Cole Kehler has been named the WHL Goaltender of the Week and the league nominee for Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending October 8, 2017.

Kehler, a product of Altona, Man., pieced together a pair of wins for the Winterhawks as they took over the top spot in the U.S. Division.

Friday, Kehler made 30 saves in a 6-1 win for Portland on the road against the Spokane Chiefs. With the Chiefs fighting to get back in the game, Kehler stopped all 23 shots that he faced over the final two periods. He also refused the Chiefs any success on their seven power play opportunities throughout the game.

Sunday, the Winterhawks and Chiefs met again, this time in Portland, where Kehler stopped 22 of 24 shots in a 7-2 victory. The Chiefs were once again unable to find success against Kehler on the man-advantage as he turned them back on all six of their chances with the extra man. Sunday’s win was also the 40th of Kehler’s WHL career.

The 6-foot-4, 203-pound netminder, who attended rookie camp with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets earlier this fall, has won all four of his starts this year, maintaining a 2.25 goals against average and .907 SV%. Among goalies who have played at least 200 minutes this season, Kehler ranks third in goals against average and seventh in SV%.

The Winterhawks will defend their lead in the U.S. Division Tuesday, October 10 (7:00 p.m. PDT) when they host the Spokane Chiefs as they continue a four-game home stand.
WHL On the Run Player of the Week
Oct 2 – Oct. 8: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tyler Steenbergen, Swift Current Broncos
Sept 22 – Sept. 24: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

WHL Goaltender of the Week/Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week nominee
Oct. 2 – Oct. 8: Cole Kehler, Portland Winterhawks
Sept. 25 – Oct. 1: Tavin Grant, Prince George Cougars
Sept. 22 – Sept. 24: Griffen Outhouse, 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 consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five 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 over 50 years. The WHL is also the 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.