Wheat Ridge native, Thunderbirds, Arvada alum Boettiger earns weekly WHL honors

The WHL has announced that 2026 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Harrison Boettiger of the Kelowna Rockets has been named WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 29.

Boettiger, an 18-year-old product of Wheat Ridge, went 2-0-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage as the Rockets claimed a 2-0 series lead over the Kamloops Blazers in the first round of the WHL playoffs.

This marks the third time this season the 6-foot-3, 193-pound Boettiger has been named goaltender of the week. He was previously recognized November 24 and March 16.

Last Friday, Boettiger was steady in Game 1 against the Blazers, turning aside 16 of 17 shots in a 3-1 victory.

Game 2 saw Boettiger turn in another stellar performance, as the Rockets claimed a 5-1 victory on home ice to take a 2-0 series lead. The Colorado product made 34 saves on 35 shots to limit the Blazers offense, including 16 saves during a busy first period.

Boettiger enjoyed an outstanding WHL regular season with the Rockets, going 25-10-4-1 with a 2.83 GAA and .911 save percentage. He represented Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game and was a member of Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November.

NHL scouts have taken note of Boettiger’s performance throughout the campaign. NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings have the Rockets puckstopper ranked seventh among North American goalies ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Originally selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, Boettiger was acquired by the Rockets in a blockbuster trade that sent Seattle Kraken prospect Caden Price to Lethbridge ahead of the 2025 WHL trade deadline. Boettiger then signed with the Rockets on June 22, 2025.

Growing up, Boettiger played for the Arvada Hockey Association and Colorado Thunderbirds.

Photo/Kelowna Rockets