Kraken Prospects Firkus, Price Earn WHL All-Star Honors

The Western Hockey League First and Second All-Star Teams for 2023-24 included a pair of Seattle Kraken draft choices.

The WHL named two defenseman, two forwards, one center and one goalie from each of its four divisions to a first and second All-Star teams, a total of 48 players.

To absolutely no one's surprise, Jagger Firkus (above photo) was selected a first-team All Star from the WHL East Division. The "Firkus Circus," a forward with the Moose Jaw Warriors, was taken by the Kraken in the 2nd round in 2022.

From a WHL press release profile: "The 19-year-old prospect served as a one-man highlight machine, claiming the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL’s Top Scorer after registering 126 points (61G-65A) in 63 games.

"The 5-foot-11, 160-pound product of Irma, Alta., was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on three occasions. The crafty pivot recorded the WHL’s longest point scoring streak this regular season, stretching 51 points (19G-32A) across 26 games from November 25, 2023 through February 17, 2024. Firkus owns 310 points (144G-166A) in 230 career WHL regular season games."

Defenseman Caden Price of the Kelowna Rockets, a 2023 3rd round selection, earned 2nd All-Star team honors.

WHL profile: "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. Price has skated in 174 career WHL regular season games, recording 116 points (20G-96A)."

T-Birds, Silvertips Among U.S. Division All-Stars

The Seattle Thunderbirds, despite a rebuilding season, placed three members on the WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team. The playoff-bound Everett Silvertips had one selection. The NHL team which drafted each of them is in parentheses.

Seattle Thunderbirds goalie Scott Ratzlaff (Buffalo) & defensemen Jeremy Hanzel (Nashville) and Sawyer Mynio (Vancouver); Everett Silvertips forward Ben Hemmerling (Vegas).

Fond Farewells

With the T-Birds season over, so ends the WHL careers of three 20-year-old players: Hanzel, Eric Alarie, and Sam Popowich. Junior leagues within the CHL are limited to players who begin a season aged 16-20.

Everett also honored its "overage" players. Our buddy and ace photog Caroline Anne was kind enough to send along these shots.