It has been a record-breaking season for some players on the Prince George Cougars and more are likely to come with a dozen games left.
Riley Heidt has become the team’s all-time leader in points and assists and he likely has one more season after this one in a P.G. uniform.
The 18-year-old Heidt is also in a position to break his team record of 72 assists in a season which he established last year.
He is currently sitting with 64.
Captain Hudson Thornton has the triple crown as the Cougars’ all-time leader in points, goals and assists by a defenceman.
Zac Funk is on the verge of breaking Quinn Hancock’s team record of 54 goals set in the 1997-98 season.
Funk is the WHL goal leader, sitting with 53, and could very well be on his way to 60.
We are on record watch once again!
Zac Funk is just two goals away from becoming the Cougars franchise leader for most goals in a single season. The current record of 54 goals, set by alumnus Quinn Hancock in 1997-98, is within Funk’s reach as he stands at 53 goals with 12… pic.twitter.com/67AxRLQvoq
— x – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) February 21, 2024
The 20-year-old Funk has 23 goals on the power play, a team record which broke the old mark of 22 set last season (2022-23) by Chase Wheeatcroft
If that is not enough he has also seven hat tricks the most by a PG Cougar in one season.
Both Heidt and Funk, (95 points each) have a shot at Hancock’s team record of 112 points, which was also set in 97-98.
6-0-0-0 at home this month. Sleep well, Prince George 😴 pic.twitter.com/5lHFlB231Y
— x – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) February 21, 2024
In addition, Funk is sitting with seven game-winning goals, three shy of the club record of 10 set by Mike Bayrack in 1998-99.
The super rookies are in the record books.
Sniper Terik Parascak has the most goals scored by a PG Cougar rookie in one season with 32.
Goalie Josh Ravensbergen has the most shutouts for a rookie in a season and with those six goose eggs has tied Scott Bowles (2005-06) for the most shutouts in a season.
Ravensbergen, with a 2.20 goals-against-average, will likely set the team record for the best goals-against average (GAA) set by Bowles (2.40 in 2005-06).
The 17-year-old Ravensbergen, who has started six of the last seven games, is third in the league in both GAA and save percentage (.920).
The list of PG Cougars single-season records is here.
With all these individual accomplishments one may ask if this is the best Cougars team in their 30-year history.
They are first in the Western Conference standings with a sparkling record of 38-15-0-3 for a winning percentage of .705 to go along with a goals-differential of a league-high +94.
The regular season answer may be YES but of course, playoffs will decide where this team ranks.
A closer look at the best PG Cougars teams in next week’s Hart Attack column.
Cat Scan podcast:
This is season six of Hartley’s Cat Scan, a weekly podcast show that predominately features the PG Cougars.
This week my guest is Cougars Business Executive and video editor Dylan Lukinchuk.
He is an account executive who helps the coaches by editing videos. Mr Versatile Dylan Lukinchuk is this week’s @PGCougars Cat Scan #podcast guest. He discusses season tickets, his scouting background, PG baseball highlights & his Game-worn jersey collection. #WHL #hockey https://t.co/PkvuiMARUR
— Hartley Miller (@Hartley_Miller) February 20, 2024
FROM THE QUOTE RACK:
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, asked about the team’s lack of offseason spending told reporters Tuesday he thought ownership needed to adjust “to help us players to be in a better position to win.” Sounds like Devers is disappointed about the season already. Does this make him an honorary member of the New York Mets?
*Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Staff members at an addiction treatment centre in California report prospective clients exhibiting the following symptoms: nausea, delirium, wild mood swings, shakes, eyes rolled upward in sockets, and tongues swallowed. Said an unnamed staff person–‘ Happens every year at this time: football withdrawals.’
*Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Japan’s Bald Men Club held an odd tug-of-war tournament: ropes attached to suction cups stuck to the top of contestants’ noggins. Who won? Can’t recall off the top of my head.
*Comedy writer RJ Currie of Winnipeg www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the news and sports director/supervisor plus morning news anchor for 94.3 the GOAT and Country 97fm. He is in his 11th year as the radio colour commentator for Prince George Cougars’ home games. Hartley has been on the airwaves in PG since 1979 and is the author of You Don’t Say (sports quotes).