Dustin Wolf named WHL’s Goaltender of the Year

In an announcement anticipated for awhile, the Western Hockey League has announced that Calgary Flames prospect Dustin Wolf has been named the winner of the Del Wilson Trophy as the league’s top goaltender.

Wolf, 19, had simply a fantastic season in 2019-20. He led the circuit outright in shutout (9), goals against average (1.88) and save percentage (.935), and was tied with Portland’s Joel Hofer with 34 wins. (Hofer played two more games than Wolf did.) Wolf also represented the United States at the World Juniors, serving as Spencer Knight’s backup.

As the WHL’s best netminder, Wolf is now up for the Canadian Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year Award as the best goalie in major junior.

It’s the fourth time in the past five seasons that an Everett goalie has won the Del Wilson Trophy: Carter Hart won the award in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 before going pro. Wolf was Hart’s backup in 2017-18. Flames draft picks Mike Vernon won in 1981-82 and 1982-83 and Trevor Kidd in 1989-90. (Kidd won the CHL’s award that year as well.)

Wolf signed his entry level contract earlier in May. He’ll return to junior for 2020-21 and go pro in 2021-22.