The Inter Pipeline AJHL Rookie of the Week is Gavin Middendorf of the Drayton Valley Thunder for the second time this season. With three multi-point games, the 2004 forward recorded seven points (4G, 3A) in three games to wrap up the season for the holidays.
Gavin Middendorf (Forest Lake, MN) scored a goal and an assist to open the week with a 5-2 win versus Sherwood Park on December 13th. He repeated his performance on December 16th with a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the Blackfalds Bulldogs, including his fifth game winning goal of the season. On December 17th, Gavin scored a game tying goal and go-ahead goal versus the Whitecourt Wolverines in a comeback attempt, but the Thunder would eventually lose 5-4 to the Wolverines. His three-point game with two goals and an assist resulted in a Viterra AJHL Star of the Game selection.
Middendorf is second in team scoring and fifth among AJHL rookies with 29 points (18G, 11A). Whitecourt and Drayton Valley will play a home and home series on December 29th and 30th to wrap up 2022.