Calgary, Alta. – Everett Silvertips forward Shea Busch has been named WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
Busch led all rookies with five points (4G-1A) in three games as the regular season champion Silvertips battled back to take their first series lead against the upstart Seattle Thunderbirds.
He registered a goal in a 6-3 loss in Game 3 against Everett’s Pacific Northwest rivals. With the Thunderbirds leading 1-0 midway through the first period, Busch drove the net and hacked a loose puck past Buffalo Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff for an early equalizer. Everett would build a 3-1 lead before Seattle battled back to take a 2-1 series lead.
The 17-year-old came out swinging in Game 4 with a goal and an assist in a thunderous 6-2 road win. Everett clawed their way to a 2-1 lead entering the third period, where Busch served up a secondary assist on Dominik Rymon’s game-winning tally. He added some insurance with a precision tip on Captain Kaden Hammell’s point shot.
Busch saved his best for last as Everett took its first lead of the series in a 7-4 victory at Angel of the Winds Arena on April 5. The Silvertips had already opened up a 4-2 lead late in the second period when Busch deflected another Hammell shot past the T-Birds netminder. The powerplay goal would be the difference maker as Seattle mounted a late comeback attempt, but Busch kept the momentum on Everett’s side with another goal from his office, parked in front of the Seattle net for a tip on the powerplay. The two-goal night saw the 6-foot-2, 201-pound winger honoured as third star of the night.
Busch leads all WHL rookies in postseason points with five goals and two assists for seven points in five games. He’s also on a seven-game point streak (7G-3A) stretching back to the 2024-25 regular season.
Everett acquired Busch’s rights in a midseason trade with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in November of 2024. The North Vancouver, B.C. product signed his WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement on December 6, 2024, and went on to tally 19 points (11G-8A) in 39 regular-season games with the Silvertips.
Busch is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft and is ranked 169th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency’s midterm player list.
Everett looks to advance to the second round of the 2025 WHL Playoffs with a win against Seattle in Game 6 on Monday, April 7, at 7:05 p.m. PST.
Fans can stream the WHL Playoffs for free on Victory+.
2024-25 WHL Rookie of the Week
September 23, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
September 30, 2024: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
October 7, 2024: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
October 15, 2024: Josh Banini, Moose Jaw Warriors
October 21, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
October 28, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 4, 2024: Gavin Garland, Tri-City Americans
November 11, 2024: Ondrej Stebetak, Portland Winterhawks
November 18, 2024: Kason Kobelka, Calgary Hitmen
November 25, 2024: Jordan Duguay, Portland Winterhawks
December 2, 2024: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 9, 2024: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 16, 2024: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
December 23, 2024: Parker Rondeau, Swift Current Broncos
December 30, 2024: Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 6, 2025: Keaton Verhoeff, Victoria Royals
January 13, 2025: Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers
January 20, 2025: Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants
January 27, 2025: Matej Pekar, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 3, 2025: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 10, 2025: Savin Virk, Tri-City Americans
February 18, 2025: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers
February 24, 2025: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
March 3, 2025: Luke Vlooswyk, Red Deer Rebels
March 10, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
March 17, 2025: Cooper Williams, Saskatoon Blades
March 24, 2025: Jaxon Jacobson, Brandon Wheat Kings
March 31, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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