Former WHLers Thriving During Their Rookie Season In The AHL
A look at some former WHLers who are standing out as rookies in the AHL this season.
Photo by Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK - Former WHLers Thriving During Their Rookie Season In The AHLLike they did in junior, former WHLers are thriving in their rookie season in the AHL. Whether it is scoring big goals or making highlight reel saves, players from the 'Dub are continually stepping up for their AHL clubs and showing how bright their futures are. Here is a look at four former WHLers currently thriving during their rookie AHL season.
Logan Stankoven- Texas Stars
The runaway leader for Rookie of the Year right now has to be Logan Stankoven. The Kamloops Blazers star has a nine-point lead in the rookie scoring race and sits second in league scoring with 41 points in 33 games. If he can keep up this pace, he could become the first former WHLer to win both CHL Player of the Year and AHL Rookie of the Year.
Brad Lambert- Manitoba Moose
After helping the Seattle Thunderbirds to the Memorial Cup Final last season, Brad Lambert has had a great start to the season with the Manitoba Moose. He currently leads the Moose in scoring with 25 points in 29 games and sits in the top ten for points among rookies in the AHL. A dynamic threat with the man advantage, he also ranks fourth in goals and assists on the power play among rookies this season.
Olen Zellweger- San Diego Gulls
It hasn't taken long for Olen Zellweger to make an impression at the AHL level. In 32 games this season, he has 22 points and will head to the AHL All-Star Game in early February. With Brandt Clarke currently in the NHL, there is a chance he could finish at the top of the rookie scoring race among defencemen, as the former Kamloops Blazers and Everett Silvertips defender is on pace for just under 50 points this season.
Tomas Suchanek- San Diego Gulls
Tomas Suchanek has bounced around between the ECHL and AHL this season but has been spectacular almost every time he has put on a San Diego Gulls jersey. In nine games, he has a record of 6-2-1, along with a .933 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.09. Currently signed to an AHL contract, it would be madness if some team didn't offer the former Tri-City Americans goaltender an ELC at the end of the season based on his performance so far in 2023-24.
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