Sportlogiq Standouts: Canadian Hockey League
Follow along as we reveal our top data-driven performers from the 2023-24 CHL Season
Since 2021, Sportlogiq has proudly worked alongside organizations from the WHL, QMJHL, and OHL, providing cutting-edge analytics, tools, and services to coaches & management.
As the Memorial Cup continues to unfold, there’s no better time to celebrate the standout talents of the 2023-24 CHL season.
Welcome to Sportlogiq’s CHL Standouts. Our team of analysts has meticulously sifted through a season’s worth of data, and over the coming days, we’ll be unveiling awards for the top performers in various advanced analytical categories.
Sniper of the Year: Zac Funk, Prince George Cougars
Funk’s ability to find the back of the net and his high-shooting volume is what truly set him apart from the pack in our selection process for CHL sniper of the year.
Funk led all WHL players in key shooting metrics such as Expected Goals, Scoring Chances, Slot Shots and One-Timers proving that he can get his elite level shot off in key scoring areas.
Playmaker of the Year: Trevor Wong, Saskatoon Blades
Wong led the WHL with 86 assists in the regular season which was no fluke.
The Blades’ captain’s underlying passing metrics show that he is second to none when it comes to finding his teammates in the dangerous areas of the ice.
Wong’s vision and pinpoint accuracy in setting up teammates for one-timers earns him our Standout CHL Playmaker of the Year Award.
Shutdown Defenseman of the year: Finn Harding, Mississauga Steelheads
Finn Harding was a major disruptor to opposition offences this season.
The reliable blue-liner ranked extremely high in key defensive metrics that stopped forwards in their tracks and regained possession for his squad.
Logging big minutes for a Steelheads team that finished 3rd in the OHL in goals against, Harding’s sound positioning & great defensive stick also led him to the highest plus/minus in Steelheads history at +38.
Sportlogiq is happy to award Harding with CHL Standout Shutdown D-Man of the year honours.
Offensive Defenseman of the year: carter yakemchuk, calgary hitmen
Yakemchuk set the WHL on fire this season, leading all defensemen in Goals, Expected Goals, Scoring Chances, Rush Chances, and Shots on Net.
The right shot d-man doesn’t hesitate to jump in the play and get himself into prime scoring positions, which was showcased by his league-leading 158 scoring chances and 38 chances off the rush.
His ability to create, paired with his ability to finish (league-leading 30 goals), was impossible for us to ignore. Yakemchuk’s outstanding offensive performance this season makes him Sportlogiq’s Standout CHL Offensive Defenseman of the Year, and a lock to go in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Goaltender of the Year: Mathis Rousseau, Halifax Mooseheads
Mathis Rousseau earns our selection as the top netminder in the CHL this season as he stood on his head for the Mooseheads night in and night out.
Rousseau’s 32.5 Goals Saved Above Expected led all QMJHL goalies by a significant margin, as the goaltender second to Rousseau in that category (Nathan Darveau) recorded 21.7 Goals Saved Above Expected, roughly 11 goals behind Halifax’s superstar between the pipes.
Rousseau , who won the Patrick Roy Trophy, awarded to the QMJHL’s top goaltender, also recorded 8 shutouts to establish a new league record.
Certainly a worthy recipient of our Standout CHL Goaltender of the Year.