More WHL history for Flyers goaltending prospect Carter Hart.
Hart on Wednesday afternoon was named the 2017-18 Del Wilson Memorial Trophy winner for the third consecutive season, becoming the first goalie to win the award three times.
The 19-year-old also tied the WHL record for all-time shutouts (26) after recording seven this season. He posted a 1.60 goals-against average with a .947 save percentage in 41 games. He lost just 10 total games in the regular season.
Hart's team, Everett, is in the WHL Final against Swift Current. If the Silvertips win, they'll advance to the Memorial Cup.
A 2016 second-round pick, Hart led the WHL in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts. He missed time to play in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships and he also dealt with mono.
It's expected that Hart will again be a finalist for the CHL Goaltender of the Year award, an honor he took home in 2015-16. He was a finalist in 2016-17 for the award but didn't win it. Owen Sound's Michael McNiven won it last year.
Hart can become the first goalie ever to win the CHL Goaltender of the Year award twice.
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With his junior career over after the postseason, Hart will turn pro in 2018-19. He's expected to spend at least the start of the season in Lehigh Valley, but Ron Hextall didn't shut the door completely on him being in the NHL at some point next season.
"I have no idea," Hextall said last week if Hart needs a full season with the Phantoms. "That's a hypothetical question. Everyone will be given that opportunity. We don't pre-determine decisions. I'm not going to sit here right now and say, ‘Any young player's not going to play for our team.' We're not going to sit here and say who will or who won't. That's not fair."
