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Hunter Laing named WHL Rookie of the Week

Prince George Cougars winger Hunter Laing has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending May 5, 2024, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.

This is the second time the 2024 NHL Draft-eligible forward has earned the recognition.

Laing scored his first WHL playoff goal in dramatic fashion, keeping Prince George’s season alive and forcing a sixth game in the Western Conference Championship.

With the Cougars holding a narrow 2-1 lead in Game 5, Laing parked on the doorstep of the Winterhawks’ net on a critical powerplay, beating four diving Portland players to the puck and popping it over the goaltender and into the open net. The goal would provide some much-needed insurance as Prince George went on to a 6-1 road win.

The goal stands as Laing’s first postseason point.

Originally selected by Prince George in the second round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Laing is coming off a productive rookie season that saw him net 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 66 regular-season games.

The 6-foot-6, 192-pound winger is ranked 86th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s final rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

The Western Conference Championship returns north for a do-or-die Game 6 for the Cougars on Monday night.

Puck drops between Prince George and Portland at 7:00 p.m. PST at the CN Centre.

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