Historic Goaltender Goal in WHL
In a historic moment for the Western Hockey League (WHL), Xavier Wendt, an NHL draft hopeful, made headlines on Wednesday by netting a goal as a goaltender—a feat that had not occurred since late 2023. This remarkable event unfolded during a matchup against the Swift Current Broncos, where Wendt, playing for the Tri-City Americans, scored while leading 3-0.
After retrieving the puck from a gentle dump-in, he launched it from behind his own goal, managing to navigate the puck past several Broncos players. Ultimately, it found its way into the net at the other end of the ice, extending the Americans’ advantage to 4-0 with only a minute left in the game. As play-by-play broadcaster Craig Beauchemin exclaimed,
“There’s no way, a goalie goal at the Toyota Center!”
Wendt’s Historic Achievement
At just 17 years old, Wendt’s goal makes him the 11th goaltender in the league’s history to score, joining the ranks of notable players like Olaf Kolzig, Chris Osgood, Chris Dreidger, and Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner. The last WHL goalie to accomplish this was Dawson Cowan of the Spokane Chiefs on November 26, 2023.
Beyond this historic achievement, Wendt’s overall performance in the game was stellar; he achieved his first career shutout by stopping all 23 shots taken against him. This season marks Wendt’s rookie year in the WHL, during which he has contested 15 games. He currently boasts an impressive average of 2.39 goals-against and a .928 save percentage, placing him among the league leaders for goaltenders who have logged significant minutes.
Wendt’s Background and Future Prospects
Wendt, hailing from Plymouth, Minnesota, developed his skills at the renowned Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school—a training ground known for producing NHL talents such as Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews. Last season, he showcased his prowess on Shattuck’s U-18 team, achieving a staggering 24-0-1 record and a 1.55 GAA over 29 games in the USHS-Prep division.
Looking ahead to the NHL draft in 2026, Central Scouting has recognized Wendt with a ‘W’ rating, suggesting a likely selection in the sixth or seventh round. With both a memorable goal and a shutout, Wendt undoubtedly left a significant impression on scouts and fans alike, marking him as a player to watch in the future.
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