Vancouver Giants forward Cameron Schmidt has been named Kal Tire WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending February 25, 2024.
Western Hockey League made the announcement Monday, Feb. 26.
The 17-year-old product of Prince George, B.C., recorded four goals and a plus-2 rating in three games as the Giants went 2-1-0-0 this past week.
The 5-foot-7, 150-pound centre started his week by recording his 19th goal of the season to open the scoring as the Giants defeated the Spokane Chiefs by a 6-3 margin on Monday, February 19.
Schmidt rounded out his week Saturday, February 25 by registering his first-career WHL hat trick as the Giants trounced the Kamloops Blazers by a 7-1 score. Schmidt recorded seven shots on goal and a plus-2 rating en route to being named first star of the game.
Schmidt called his first hat-trick a “surreal moment.”
READ ALSO: On the rebound, Vancouver Giants down Kamloops Blazers
Through 48 games this season, Schmidt has secured 39 points (22G-17A). Among WHL rookie skaters, his 22 goals rank fifth, while his 39 points are tied for 10th. The shifty winger also has 12 goals and 19 points in his last 15 games.
With 22 goals, Schmidt is now just three goals shy of tying the Giants franchise record for goals in a season by a16-year-old rookie, set in 2003-04 by Gilbert Brule (25 goals in 67 games).
Meet the newest four signees of the Vancouver Giants!
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) May 28, 2022
Here is Cameron Schmidt, a forward from Prince George, BC who was drafted 7th overall. pic.twitter.com/c9k1lD8Z8a
Originally selected seventh overall by the Giants as an under-ager in the 2022 WHL prospects draft, Schmidt is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
At the time of his signing, Giants General Manager Barclay Parneta called Schmidt “a dynamic, offensive player with a great shot.”
Schmidt and the Giants return to action Friday, March 1 (7 p.m. PT) when they host the Kelowna Rockets at the Langley Events Centre.
READ ALSO: Once again, Vancouver Giants’ Brett Mirwald is named WHL goaltender of the week