Rockets’ players earn all-star nods
Special to okanagan newS group
The Western Hockey League announced today the B.C. Division First and Second All-Star Teams for the 2023-24 WHL season.
Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla was named to the B.C. Division First All-Star Team, while defenceman Caden Price and forward Andrew Cristall were named to the the B.C. Division Second All-Star Team.
WHL B.C. Division First All-Star Team Goaltender – Brett Mirwald (Saskatoon Sask.) – Vancouver Giants
Defence – Hudson Thornton (Winnipeg, Man.) – Prince George Cougars
Defence – Justin Kipkie (Calgary, Alta.) – Victoria Royals
Forward – Zac Funk (Coldstream, B.C.) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Riley Heidt (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Tij Iginla (Lake Country, B.C.) – Kelowna Rockets
WHL B.C. Division Second All-Star Team Goaltender – Joshua Ravensbergen (North Vancouver) – Prince George Cougars
Defence – Caden Price (Saskatoon, Sask.) – Kelowna Rockets
Defence – Viliam Kmec (Kosice, Slovakia) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Terik Parascak (Lethbridge, Alta.) – Prince George Cougars
Forward – Andrew Cristall (Burnaby) – Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Jaden Lipinski (Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Vancouver Giants
Forward – Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets): The 17-year-old product of Lake Country, finished second in scoring among all Rockets with 84 points (47G-37A) in 62 games. His 47 goals were tied for sixth among all WHL skaters. Listed 11th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot, 186-pound power forward’s breakout campaign has him primed to hear his name called early in the NHL’s June draft. He was recognized as the Tempo WHL Player of the Week on December 18, 2023. Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Iginla has recorded 103 points (53G-50A) in 115 career WHL Regular Season games.
Defence – Caden Price (Kelowna Rockets): In his third WHL season, Seattle Kraken prospect Caden Price enjoyed a career campaign, logging 55 points (13G-42A) in 62 games. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound product of Saskatoon helped the Rockets to a fifth-place finish in the WHL’s B.C. Division. Selected by the Kraken in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Price has skated in 174 career WHL Regular Season games, recording 116 points (20G-96A). He was originally chosen by the Rockets in the second round (30th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Forward – Andrew Cristall (Kelowna Rockets): The 19-yearold prospect of the Washington Capitals recorded 111 points (40G-71A) to finish fifth in scoring among all WHL players. From Nov. 3, 2023 through Jan. 19, 2024, Cristall enjoyed a 23game point streak, tallying 45 points (17G-28A) along the way. He was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on two occasions (Oct. 23 and March 11). By surpassing the 100-point plateau, the product of Burnaby, became the first Rocket to reach the century mark since Colin Long (2007-08). Selected by the Capitals in the second round (40th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Cristall has recorded 280 points (109G-171A) in 191 career WHL Regular Season contests.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound right winger was originally selected by the Rockets in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Fans can watch the Rockets trio next at Prospera Place on April 2 and 3 when Kelowna hosts the Wenatchee Wild for games three and four of their best of seven series in the opening round of the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
Tickets can be purchased online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday home game days.