Carter Yakemchuk of the Calgary Hitmen is a nominee for the 2023-24 Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, going to the Western Hockey League’s Defenceman of the Year.
It was a career season for the 6-foot-3, right-shot blueliner, who finished second on Calgary in goals, assists and points.
Yakemchuk found the back of the net 30 times, a new franchise record for single-season goals by a blueliner. Jake Bean previously held the 24-goal record from his 2015-16 campaign.
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Fans can expect to hear Yakemchuk’s name during this June’s NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old, who is a local product, is ranked sixth among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He also suited up in this year’s 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, N.B with teammate Carson Wetsch.
The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy winner will be revealed in early May. The three other nominees are Hudson Thornton of the Prince George Cougars, Denton Mateychuk from the Moose Jaw Warriors, and the Wenatchee Wild’s Graham Sward.
Two Hitmen have won the WHL’s Defenceman of the Year: Brad Stuart in 1999 and Karl Alzner in 2008. Jim Watson took home the award in 1972 as a member of the Calgary Centennials.