Welcome to this week’s edition of the WHL’s Three Stars of the Week on the Area 51 Sports Network. This weekly post looks back at the week that was and identifies which WHL players stepped up for their respective teams. Here are the three stars selections for the week of January 30th to February 5th, 2023.
3rd Star: Tomáš Suchánek, Tri-City Americans
Since returning from the World Juniors, Tomáš Suchánek has been spectacular for the Tri-City Americans. The last week was no exception as he went 2-1 and gave up just five goals on 88 shots.
He has now won 12 of his past 14 starts and is one of seven goaltenders across the WHL with 20 or more wins. He is a big reason why the Americans are not only one of the hottest teams in the WHL but also across the CHL.
2nd Star: Olen Zellweger, Kamloops Blazers
Olen Zellweger has been the game-changer Kamloops hoped he would be when they brought him over from Everett at the trade deadline. Over the past week, he posted five points in four games which included the game-winner versus Victoria in the final minute of the third.
He also generated 28 shots in the four games and sits second across the WHL with 209 shots in just 34 games. A special talent, he will be looking to end his WHL career with a Memorial Cup victory at the end of May.
1st Star: Connor McClennon, Winnipeg ICE
What a week it was for Winnipeg ICE forward Connor McClennon. Not only did he score two goals in each of the three games he played, the final one was the 250th point of his WHL career. He also finished the week with 17 shots on goal and helped the ICE win the week with a record of 2-1.
So far this season, McClennon has been phenomenal with 58 points in his first 41 games. He has also been a goal-scoring machine sitting tied for sixth across the WHL with 30 goals on the year. The ICE are once again one of the favourites to make it to the Memorial Cup with his contributions being one of the reasons they are considered one of the best teams across the CHL.
Don’t forget to check back next Monday for a brand new edition of the WHL Three Stars of the Week here on the Area 51 Sports Network.