Kamloops Blazers - Feed

McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective: Kamloops Blazers

chlwebproduct — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:47:22 +0000

There's only one Silvertips team the Kamloops Blazers like to pal around with, and it's certainly not the one based in Everett. For more than 20 years, the Blazers have had their annual autumn match against the Kamloops Silvertips Special Olympics ball hockey squad circled on the calendar. "We look forward to it every season," Blazers forward and Kamloops native Jordan Keller said. "It's always a good time just hanging out with new people, and you know, playing some floor hockey. Especially at the end, it gets a little heated. It gets competitive when the scores are close. It's always a blast." More than a dozen Silvertips players came out for the 2025 edition of the game in November- a special chance to battle some of the NHL's stars of tomorrow in a breakout season that saw the Blazers return to the WHL Playoffs. "It's so much fun playing the Blazers at floorball; they made us compete very hard," Silvertips player Shinji said. "I get to watch them every game, so playing together is a highlight for me." "We look up to them, and it meant a lot to play with them and feel included," Shinji's teammate, Stuart, added. "They were kind and made us feel special. It was a really great day that we will always remember." "Moments like this mean so much to our athletes — sharing the floor with their heroes builds confidence, joy, and a sense of belonging that stays with them long after the game ends." Silvertips coach Genevieve said. "As coaches, it’s incredibly rewarding to witness the smiles, excitement, and pride this experience brings. We’re grateful to be able to share this special tradition together year after year." Long promoted as the tournament capital of Canada, Kamloops has previously hosted the 2023 Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games, which saw roughly 500 athletes competing in eight events. Beyond floor hockey, many of the local Special Olympics athletes also take part in sports like softball, soccer, golf, swimming, bowling, basketball and rhythmic gymnastics.

The Western Hockey League strives to promote and foster a welcoming environment in communities close to our 23 clubs in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Every team has the creative freedom to allow their players and staff to work with the organizations and groups that they are most passionate about. The end goal is to create and maintain long-lasting relationships and ongoing partnerships within their community. Through the McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective, we aim to highlight these outstanding initiatives done by each club throughout the season.

Four WHL players named to U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team for 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

chlwebproduct — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:47:04 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – Four players signed to WHL Standard Player Agreements have been named to the roster for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team, USA Hockey announced Monday afternoon.

The WHL will be represented by three forwards and one goaltender on the U.S. roster at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is scheduled for Monday, August 3, through Saturday, August 8, in Edmonton, Alta.

U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team – WHL Players

Last Name	First Name	WHL Club	Hometown	Ht	Wt	Pos
Burcar	Gavin	Spokane Chiefs	Cota de Caza, Calif.	6’2”	174	F
DeMars	Brooks	Penticton Vees	Hugo, Minn.	6’1”	183	F
Grubb	Colin	Brandon Wheat Kings	Minot, N.D.	5’11”	174	F
Tate	Kaeden	Kamloops Blazers	Huntington Beach, Calif.	6’3”	165	G

Gavin Burcar, Spokane Chiefs

The 6-foot-2, 174-pound Burcar spent the 2025-26 season with the Spokane Chiefs, appearing in 63 games and recording 17 points (7G-10A). Hailing from Cota de Caza, Calif., Burcar also dressed in four playoff games for the Chiefs. He made his WHL debut September 19, 2025, registering one assist in an 8-2 victory at Kelowna. Burcar recorded a career-high three points (1G-2A) December 16, 2025, in a 9-2 home triumph over Portland.

Brooks DeMars, Penticton Vees

The 6-foot-1, 183-pound product of Hugo, Minn., dressed in 50 games for the Penticton Vees during the 2025-26 campaign, collecting 13 points (6G-7A) along the way. DeMars also saw action in five post-season contests for the Vees, who claimed the WHL’s B.C. Division title as an expansion team. DeMars made his WHL debut September 19, 2025, at Victoria. He scored his first-career WHL goal November 29, 2025, at Kamloops.

Colin Grubb, Brandon Wheat Kings

The 5-foot-11, 174-pound Grubb was selected by the Wheat Kings in the first round (14th overall) of the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. The native of Minot, N.D., signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Wheat Kings on April 17, 2026, and is expected to join the Club for the 2026-27 season. Grubb spent the 2025-26 campaign with Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep, registering 40 points (13G-27A) in 51 high school games.

Kaeden Tate, Kamloops Blazers

The 6-foot-3, 165-pound Tate, appeared in two games with the Kamloops Blazers during the 2025-26 season, going 2-0-0-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Tate was selected by the Blazers in the second round (23rd overall) of the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. He signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Blazers on September 9, 2025. Tate made his WHL debut November 15, 2025, turning aside 22 of 24 shots in a 6-2 home win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team enters the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with sights set on defending its gold-medal performance from 2025. The U.S. will open the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Monday, August 3, when they face Czechia at 1 p.m. MT. Next up, the U.S. will challenge Finland on Tuesday, August 4, before wrapping preliminary action Wednesday, August 5, against Germany.

Prior to tournament action, the U.S. will play Slovakia in pre-tournament competition Saturday, August 1.

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 consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 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 over 50 years. The WHL is also the 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.

Goaltending Coach Dan De Palma among WHLers named to Canada’s National Junior Team staff

chlwebproduct — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:59:24 +0000

Calgary, Alta.- A strong contingent of hockey greats with ties to the WHL will help Canada chase gold at the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship. Three current and former WHL players and coaches will be on the bench for Canada, in addition to two members of the squad's support staff. 2020 WHL Coach of the Year Brad Lauer (Spokane Chiefs / Humboldt, Sask.) will reprise his role as an assistant coach after being part of the bronze medal-winning effort in January. Calgary Hitmen great Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, Sask.) is set to make his international coaching debut as an assistant under Head Coach Misha Donskov (Montreal, Que.), while Dan De Palma (Kamloops Blazers / Kamloops, B.C.) will return for a third stint as goaltending coach. Fellow CHLers Drew Bannister (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL / Belleville, Ont.) and Jim Hulton (Saint John, QMJHL / Wolfe Island, Ont.) will also serve as assistant coaches. They're joined by video coach Adam Filmon (Edmonton Oil Kings / Winnipeg, Man.) and athletic therapist Mike Burnstein (Vancouver Giants / Hamilton, Ont.). The group has been selected by National Junior Team General Manager and former WHL executive Alan Millar, Hockey Canada senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations Scott Salmond, director of hockey operations Benoit Roy, and NJT assistant general manager Dave Brown. "We are excited to officially announce our coaching staff for Canada’s National Junior Team and bring together a group of experienced, accomplished leaders who are deeply committed to player development and winning on the international stage,” Millar said. “Misha, Drew, Ryan, Jim, Brad and Dan each bring a unique set of skills and perspectives, along with extensive experience at the professional, Major Junior and international levels. We are confident this staff will create an environment that allows our players to succeed and proudly represent Canada as we prepare for the World Juniors." Lauer is coming off his second season as Head Coach of the Spokane Chiefs. The 59-year-old coached Spokane to the 2025 WHL Championship Series and previously coached the Edmonton Oil Kings from 2018-22, winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2022. He also spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Kootenay ICE (2002-07), in addition to NHL pit stops with the Winnipeg Jets (2022-24), Tampa Bay Lightning (2015-18), Anaheim Ducks (2012-15) and Ottawa Senators (2009-11). Getzlaf, 41, is gearing up for his inaugural appearance as an international coach after taking on management roles with Hockey Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics and 2025 IIHF World Championship. The Anaheim Ducks all-time point leader recorded 1,019 points (282G-737A) in 1,157 games over 17 seasons, capturing the 2007 Stanley Cup in addition to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympic Games and 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was originally selected by the Calgary Hitmen with the 54th overall pick in the 2000 WHL Bantam Draft and piled up 95 goals and 120 assists for 215 points in 233 regular-season games for Calgary. De Palma, 54, is gearing up for his 20th season with his hometown Blazers. He previously worked as the goaltending coach for the Prince George Cougars (2006-09) and brings plenty of international experience after working with Canada for two World Junior Championships (2025, 2026), two gold medal-winning turns at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2024, 2025), and a gold at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Filmon recently completed his second season as the Oil Kings' video coach and will now transition into a full-time role with Hockey Canada as the Program of Excellence Manager of Video and Analytics. He broke into the WHL as the Director of Analytics for the Swift Current Broncos in 2023-24. Burnstein joined the Vancouver Giants in 2020-21 after 20 seasons as the Vancouver Canucks' Head Athletic Trainer. He's taken part in five IIHF World Championships, the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2019 WHL Super Series and two World Junior Championships (2020, 2022). The road to the 2027 World Juniors begins next week with the World Junior Summer Showcase, which runs from July 26- August 1 in Windsor, Ont. Canada will face off against Finland, Sweden and the United States. A camp roster will be unveiled at a later date.

THREE BLAZERS TO ATTEND HOCKEY CANADA UNDER-17 CAMP

chlwebproduct — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:43:55 +0000

THREE BLAZERS TO ATTEND HOCKEY CANADA UNDER-17 CAMP Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have three players that will attend Hockey Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp July 17-21 at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario. Defenseman Mateo Ferreira, forwards Teagen Bouchard and Brady Ondrus are among 29 WHL-drafted players that will attend the camp. All three players were selected by the Blazers in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft and have signed with the hockey club. Ferreira played the 2025-2026 season with the Winnipeg Bruins U18 AAA team where he posted 13 goals, 40 assists and 53 points in 45 games. Bouchard and Ondrus played together during the 2025-2026 season with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep team. Bouchard had 17 goals, 18 assists for 35 points in 25 games and Ondrus posted 9 goals, 27 assists for 36 points in 30 games. For ticketing information, please contact Missy, Jim or Stacy at 250-828-1144 or by email at mcederholm@blazerhockey.com, jchoppen@blazerhockey.com or skeen@blazerhockey.com. -30-

29 WHL-drafted players to attend Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp

chlwebproduct — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:12:00 +0000

Calgary, Alta.- Twenty-nine players drafted to the Western Hockey League have been invited to participate in Hockey Canada's National Under-17 Development Camp.

It's the first step towards earning a spot on Team Red or Team White at the 2026 U17 World Challenge.

The WHL contingent features 26 skaters who have signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement and comprises three goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 14 forwards.

Eighteen of the invitees were selected in the first round of the WHL Prospects Draft, including eight top-10 selections, highlighted by 2025 second overall pick Holden Wouters (Edmonton Oil Kings).

Fellow Oil Kings prospect Christopher Kokkoris also clocks in as the second-tallest player attending the camp at a staggering 6-foot-6.

Seventeen WHL clubs are represented, with the Red Deer Rebels leading the way with four participating players.

Red Deer is followed by the Kamloops Blazers with three draft picks earning invitations. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Edmonton Oil Kings, Regina Pats, Seattle Thunderbirds, Vancouver Giants and Wenatchee Wild all have two players attending.

The reigning WHL Champion Everett Silvertips, 2026 Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Penticton Vees, Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, Tri-City Americans and Victoria Royals have one player heading to camp.

Thirteen players appeared in WHL games in the 2025-26 regular season, led by Holowaychuk and Crosby Mateychuk (Vancouver Giants / Dominion City, Man.) with seven outings each.

Six-foot-2 forward Kalen Miles (Wenatchee Wild / Edmonton, Alta.) notably posted two goals and two assists in six call-up appearances, including a game-winning goal against the powerhouse Silvertips on March 20, 2026.

The camp roster features four members of the 2025 WHL Cup All-Star team, including forward Reid Nicol (Everett Silvertips / Brandon, Man.), forward Kalen Miles (Wenatchee Wild / Edmonton, Alta.), defenceman Cruz Jim (Brandon Wheat Kings / Grande Prairie, Alta.) and defenceman Crosby Mateychuk, Manitoba (Vancouver Giants / Dominion City, Man.), as well as tournament leading-scorer Athens Shingoose (Prince Albert Raiders / Waywayseecappo, Man.).

The camp runs from July 17-21 in Oakville, Ontario.

The 2026 U17 World Challenge is set for November 1-7 in Oakville.

Saskatoon Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva is the bench boss for Canada Red, with Lethbridge Hurricanes assistant coach Ryan Aasman also on staff, while Edmonton Oil Kings assistant coach Kyle Chipchura will serve as an assistant coach for Canada White.

Players will continue to be evaluated through the 2026-27 regular season before final rosters are announced.

2026 Hockey Canada National Under-17 Development Camp- WHL Roster

Last name	First name	WHL Club	Hometown	Height	Weight	Position
Meyer	Ben	Medicine Hat	Regina, Sask.	5'11	170	G
Mingo	Dylan	Moose Jaw	Peachland, B.C.	6'3	190	G
Nielson*	Chase	Red Deer	Fort Macleod, Alta.	6'1	170	G
Archer	Owen	Red Deer	Hamilton, Ont.	6'3	205	D
Ferreira	Mateo	Kamloops	Winnipeg, Man.	5'10	161	D
Greschuk	Roan	Victoria	Sturgeon County, Alta.	6'0	168	D
Haile	Brook	Seattle	Calgary, Alta.	5'11	172	D
Jim	Cruz	Brandon	Grande Prairie, Alta.	5'9	161	D
Kelts	Will	Kelowna	Consort, Alta.	6'3	198	D
Kokkoris	Christopher	Edmonton	Langley, B.C.	6'6	187	D
Liffiton	Thor	Penticton	Calgary, Alta.	6'3	172	D
Mateychuk	Crosby	Vancouver	Dominion City, Man.	6'0	185	D
Nicolay	Cruz	Regina	Rocky Mountain House, Alta.	6'1	170	D
Wolitski	Nolan	Red Deer	St. Albert, Alta.	6'4	185	D
Wouters	Holden	Edmonton	Vancouver, B.C.	6'4	174	D
Bouchard	Teagen	Kamloops	Falher, Alta.	5'7	165	F
Brown*	Riley	Wenatchee	Milestone, Sask.	6'3	185	F
Fayad*	Ahmad	Brandon	Edmonton, Alta.	5'10	174	F
Henry	Logan	Regina	Prince George, B.C.	5'10	187	F
Holowaychuk	Louis-Oscar	Vancouver	Vancouver, B.C.	5'9	141	F
Landreville	Cole	Edmonton	St. Claude, Man.	5'9	146	F
Martiniuk	Cain	Saskatoon	Peachland, B.C.	5'11	157	F
Miles	Kalen	Wenatchee	Edmonton, Alta.	6'2	181	F
Nicholas	Kane	Seattle	Campbell River, B.C.	5'9	146	F
Nicol	Reid	Everett	Brandon, Man.	6'1	194	F
Oliverio	Ben	Tri-City	Calgary, Alta.	5'9	165	F
Ondrus	Brady	Kamloops	Sherwood Park, Alta.	5'9	165	F
Shingoose	Athens	Prince Albert	Waywayseecappo, Man.	5'8	139	F
Turchak	Chace	Red Deer	Calgary, Alta.	5'11	161	F

*- Player has not signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

BLAZERS SIGN 2010-BORN FORWARD EVAN ZACHGO

chlwebproduct — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:46:15 +0000

BLAZERS SIGN 2010-BORN FORWARD EVAN ZACHGO Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have signed 2010-born forward Evan Zachgo to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Zachgo was listed by the Blazers in May of 2026 and recently attended the hockey club’s development camp. Zachgo is from Delta Junction, Alaska and stands at 5’11” and 170lbs. He played last season with the Sioux Falls Power 15U team. In 65 games, he led his team in scoring with 35 goals, 42 assists and 77 points. “We would like to congratulate Evan and his family on signing with the Kamloops Blazers,” said General Manager / Head Coach, Shaun Clouston. “We are excited to be a part of Evan’s development in the coming seasons.” Zachgo is the sixth player from the 2010-born age group to sign with the Blazers. He joins defensemen Mateo Ferreira and Chase Gill and forwards Teagen Bouchard, Brady Ondrus and Collin Kim. The Blazers have now signed five US born players in the 2009 and 2010 age groups. For ticketing information, please contact Missy, Jim or Stacy at 250-828-1144 or by email at mcederholm@blazerhockey.com, jchoppen@blazerhockey.com or skeen@blazerhockey.com. -30-

2026-2027 Kamloops Blazers Schedule Released

chlwebproduct — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:11:06 +0000

2026-27 KAMLOOPS BLAZERS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have announced their 68-game schedule for the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season. It will start on Saturday, September 19^th with the Blazers hosting the Victoria Royals at 6:00pm at the Sandman Centre. The Blazers schedule includes 23 games on Friday and Saturday nights, three afternoon games and eight games on Wednesday nights. The Blazers will continue to play their Saturday night home games at 6:00pm. The Blazers will host three afternoon games this season including on Monday, October 12^th at 2:00pm versus Portland, on Wednesday, November 11^th at 2:00pm against Moose Jaw and host the Seattle Thunderbirds on B.C. Family Day which is Monday, February 15^th at 2:00pm. CLICK HERE FOR THE BLAZERS SCHEDULE For ticketing information, please contact Jim, Stacy or Missy at 250-828-1144 or by email at jchoppen@blazerhockey.com or skeen@blazerhockey.com or mcederholm@blazerhockey.com. -30-

BLAZERS SELECT TWO PLAYERS IN CHL IMPORT DRAFT

chlwebproduct — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:55:50 +0000

BLAZERS SELECT TWO PLAYERS IN 2026 CHL IMPORT DRAFT Kamloops, BC – The Kamloops Blazers have selected 2008-born defenseman Mikhail Cherepanov in the first round, 39^th overall and 2008-born forward Yegor Kravchenko in the second round, 100^th overall in the 2026 CHL Import Draft. Cherepanov is from Yekaterinburg, Russia and stands at 6’2” and 188lbs. He played the 2025-2026 season with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings of the North American Hockey League. He had five goals, 26 assists and 31 points in 56 games. Cherepanov was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 7^th round, 219^th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft this past weekend. In the second round, the Blazers selected 2008-born forward Yegor Kravchenko from Temirtau, Kazakstan. He spent last season with the Snezhnye Barsy Astana of the MHL where he had 10 points in 47 games. He was also the captain of Team Kazakhstan at the U18 Division 1A where he had four goals and four assists for eight points in five games. The 5’11” and 160lb forward will turn 18 in December which means he is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft. -30-

JP HURLBERT SELECTED IN 1ST ROUND OF NHL DRAFT

chlwebproduct — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 02:42:50 +0000

JP HURLBERT SELECTED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF NHL DRAFT Kamloops, BC – Kamloops Blazers forward J.P. Hurlbert has been selected in the 1^st round, 23^rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo. Hurlbert had an outstanding 2025-2026 season with 42 goals, 55 assists and 97 points in 68 games with the Blazers. He won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year. He competed for CHL at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November 2025 and also for Team WHL West at the 2026 WHL Prospects game in February 2026. The Allen, Texas is set to join the Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA for the 2026-2027 season. Hurlbert is the first player from the Blazers since Connor Zary in the 2020 NHL Draft to be selected in the 1^st round of the NHL Draft. Hurlbert is also the highest selection from the Blazers since Keaton Ellerby was selected 10^th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft. Hurlbert’s selection continues the Blazers streak with a player selected in 15 consecutive NHL Drafts dating back to 2012, the longest active streak in the WHL. Since the franchise became the Kamloops Blazers in 1985, the hockey club has had a player selected in the NHL Draft in 40 of 42 NHL Drafts. For ticketing information, please contact Jim, Stacy or Missy at 250-828-1144 or by email at jchoppen@blazerhockey.com or skeen@blazerhockey.com or mcederholm@blazerhockey.com. -30-

CHL unveils 2025-26 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams

chlwebproduct — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:53:24 +0000

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today announced its First, Second, and Third All-Star Teams for the 2025-26 season, along with its All-Rookie Team. Media members who regularly cover the CHL and the Member Leagues — the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) — participated in the voting process to determine this year’s CHL All-Star and All-Rookie teams. Ballots were cast based on regular-season performances, with voters selecting the top players from across the CHL’s three leagues to recognize outstanding individual achievements.

CHL First All-Star Team

Goaltender – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL): 29-9-2-1 record, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV% & 6 SO in 41 GP during the 2025-26 season; signed by Ottawa as an undrafted free agent last summer, Fetterolf quickly emerged as one of the CHL’s top goaltenders during a historic rookie campaign with the 67’s. The 18-year-old from Sewickley, Pa., led the CHL in both goals-against average and save percentage, while his six shutouts set a new OHL record for the most by a rookie goaltender in a single season. An eligible prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, Fetterolf is ranked No. 11 among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. Named the CHL Goaltender of the Year, Fetterolf became the first Ottawa 67’s player to receive the honour and just the second rookie or first-year CHL goaltender to capture the award, joining Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs in 1994-95. Defenceman – Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL): 45G-38A, 83 PTS, +55 in 55 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Montreal Canadiens prospect authored one of the greatest goal-scoring seasons by a defenceman in modern CHL history, scoring 45 goals — the highest single-season total by a CHL blueliner in the 21st century and the most since Greg Hawgood’s 48-goal campaign in 1987-88. The 20-year-old captain from Chauvin, Alta., was the only defenceman to finish among the CHL’s top 10 goal scorers, while his 19 power-play goals and 11 game-winning goals both ranked among the league leaders. Named CHL Defenceman of the Year, Pickford became the second Medicine Hat Tigers player to win the award, joining Kris Russell in 2006-07. Defenceman – Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL): 28G-42A, 70 PTS, +46 in 56 GP during the 2025-26 season; Aitcheson put together a record-setting season in Barrie, leading all OHL defencemen with 70 points while establishing a new Colts franchise record for goals by a defenceman with 28. The New York Islanders prospect and Toronto, Ont., native also finished among the OHL leaders with a +46 rating and six game-winning goals, while his 15 power-play goals led all OHL blueliners. Named the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year, Aitcheson closed out his Colts career as the franchise’s all-time leader in both goals (63) and points (171) by a defenceman. Forward – Sam O’Reilly (Kitchener Rangers / OHL): 29G-42A, 71 PTS, +20 in 56 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player after making an immediate impact with the Kitchener Rangers following a mid-season move from the London Knights. The 20-year-old from Toronto recorded 43 points and a +31 rating in 28 games with Kitchener, helping the Rangers finish atop the Western Conference standings for the first time since 2008. O’Reilly also won 58 per cent of his faceoffs and was recognized in the OHL Coaches Poll as the Western Conference’s smartest player, best faceoff man, and best defensive forward. He carried that form into the spring, earning both OHL Playoff MVP and Memorial Cup MVP honours while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. With that sweep, he became just the fourth player in CHL history to win regular-season, playoff, and Memorial Cup MVP honours in the same season, joining Brad Richards, Corey Perry, and Mitch Marner. The championship also marked his second straight Memorial Cup title after winning with London a year earlier, placing him among a rare group of players to win back-to-back Memorial Cups with different teams. Forward – Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL): 51G-51A, 102 PTS, +62 in 63 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Anaheim Ducks prospect captured the CHL’s David Branch Player of the Year Award after being named the QMJHL’s Most Valuable Player and winning the first scoring title of his QMJHL career. The 20-year-old from Rimouski, Que., finished with 102 points, including 51 goals and 51 assists, to become one of only two CHL players to surpass both the 50-goal and 100-point marks in 2025-26. Massé also tied for the CHL lead in goals, ranked second in the QMJHL with a +62 rating and eight game-winning goals, and helped lead Chicoutimi to its first QMJHL Championship title in 32 years. With his CHL MVP honour, Massé became just the sixth player in CHL history to win both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award over his career, joining Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gavin McKenna. Forward – Liam Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL): 45G-59A, 104 PTS, +47 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; the 18-year-old from Osoyoos, B.C., finished second in scoring among all WHL and CHL skaters with 104 points in 68 games. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Liam is ranked 20th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. His 45 goals were tied for second in the WHL, while his 59 assists ranked fifth across the league. One of only four CHL players to reach the 100-point mark in 2025-26, Ruck also tied for third in the CHL with 10 game-winning goals and helped Medicine Hat finish atop the Central Division. Originally selected ninth overall by the Tigers in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Ruck was also a member of Medicine Hat’s 2025 WHL Championship team a year ago.

CHL Second All-Star Team

Goaltender – Rudy Guimond (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL): 40-7-1-2 record, 2.27 GAA, .922 SV% & 3 SO in 50 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Detroit Red Wings prospect captured the QMJHL’s Patrick-Roy Trophy after a dominant season with the Moncton Wildcats. Guimond led all QMJHL goaltenders in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and minutes played, while his 40 victories also led the CHL. The 20-year-old became the first CHL goaltender to reach the 40-win mark since Dustin Wolf in 2018-19 and just the sixth QMJHL netminder since 2000 to do so. Guimond helped guide Moncton to a second consecutive QMJHL regular-season championship and concluded his QMJHL career with a league-record 2.14 career goals-against average. Defenceman – Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds / OHL): 18G-30A, 48 PTS, +27 in 45 GP during the 2025-26 season; ranked No. 2 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Reid established himself as the highest-ranked current CHL skater in this year’s draft class. The 18-year-old from Chesterfield, Mich., averaged better than a point per game with the Soo Greyhounds and was one of just six first-year draft-eligible defencemen across the CHL to do so. A finalist for the OHL’s Defenceman of the Year Award, Reid was recognized in four categories in the OHL Coaches Poll, including as the Western Conference’s Best Offensive Defenceman. He was also named the CHL’s Top Draft Prospect for 2025-26, becoming the eighth defenceman to claim the award since it was first presented in 1991. Reid also marked the second straight OHL blueliner to receive the honour, following Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who won the award a year ago before capturing this year’s Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. Defenceman – Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL): 13G-68A, 81 PTS, +58 in 63 GP during the 2025-26 season; Bleyl delivered a historic rookie campaign from the blue line, setting a new QMJHL record for points by a rookie defenceman with 81 in 63 games. Ranked No. 17 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, he also led the entire QMJHL with 68 assists — the highest single-season total by a CHL rookie defenceman in the 21st century. Bleyl became only the second player in QMJHL history to win both the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as Defenceman of the Year and the Sidney-Crosby Trophy as Rookie of the Year in the same season, joining Dmitry Kulikov. After helping Moncton capture a second consecutive QMJHL regular-season title, he was also named the CHL Rookie of the Year, becoming just the fourth defenceman to win the award after Philippe Boucher, Bryan Berard, and Landon DuPont, as well as the first Wildcats player to receive the honour. Forward – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL): 37G-60A, 97 PTS, +9 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season; ranked No. 8 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Klepov captured the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the OHL’s leading scorer and the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the league’s top-scoring right winger after finishing with 97 points in 67 games. The 17-year-old from Deerfield Beach, Fla., became the first rookie in his first two years of OHL eligibility to lead the league in scoring since Jack Valiquette in 1973-74 and the first rookie to lead any CHL Member League in scoring since Patrick Kane in 2006-07. Klepov’s 37 goals tied Cole Perfetti’s Saginaw Spirit rookie record, while his 60 assists and 97 points established new franchise rookie benchmarks. Forward – Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL): 21G-87A, 108 PTS, +45 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; Ruck captured the Bob Clarke Trophy and the CHL Top Scorer Award after leading the WHL and the entire CHL with 108 points. Ranked No. 23 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old from Osoyoos, B.C., recorded a CHL-best 87 assists in 68 games, serving as one of the driving forces behind a Medicine Hat team that led the WHL in goals, owned the league’s top power play, and finished atop the Central Division. Ruck’s twin brother, Liam, finished second in both the WHL and CHL scoring races with 104 points, making Markus and Liam the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season. Forward – Tij Iginla (Kelowna Rockets / WHL): 41G-49A, 90 PTS, +47 in 48 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Utah Mammoth prospect returned from an injury-shortened 2024-25 campaign to produce at one of the highest rates in the CHL. The 19-year-old from Lake Country, B.C., led all WHL skaters and ranked second across the CHL with 1.88 points per game, finishing with 90 points in just 48 contests. Iginla established new career highs in both assists and points, while his 41 goals ranked tied for sixth among WHL skaters. He was also one of just five players across the CHL to top 40 goals and 40 assists in 2025-26. Selected sixth overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft, Iginla has recorded 225 points in 184 career WHL regular-season games.

CHL Third All-Star Team

Goaltender – Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL): 32-13-0-0 record, 2.51 GAA, .919 SV% & 4 SO in 46 GP during the 2025-26 season; the San Jose Sharks prospect became the first Prince George Cougars goaltender to capture the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy and just the third netminder in franchise history to earn the honour. The 6-foot-6 netminder from North Vancouver, B.C., led the WHL in both wins (32) and save percentage (.919), tied for second in shutouts (4), and ranked fourth in goals-against average (2.51). Ravensbergen helped Prince George record a third consecutive 40-win season, while allowing two goals or fewer in 25 of his 46 appearances. Undrafted into the WHL, he owns 91 career regular-season wins across three seasons with the Cougars. Defenceman – Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL): 18G-55A, 73 PTS, +59 in 63 GP during the 2025-26 season; one year after being named CHL Rookie of the Year, DuPont continued to build on his exceptional start in Everett. The 17-year-old from Calgary, Alta., established career highs across the board with 18 goals, 55 assists, 73 points, and a +59 rating in 63 games. Eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, DuPont finished tied for fourth among all WHL defencemen in points, while his 55 assists were tied for second among league blueliners. The right-shot defenceman also added 28 power-play assists, the second-highest total among all WHL skaters. Defenceman – Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL): 28G-50A, 78 PTS, +32 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; Rudolph posted one of the top offensive seasons by a WHL defenceman in his NHL Draft year, leading the Prince Albert Raiders in scoring while helping the club capture the East Division title. Ranked No. 5 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old from Lacombe, Alta., finished third among WHL defencemen in both goals and points, while his 28 goals tied a Raiders franchise record for goals by a defenceman, matching the mark set by Josh Morrissey in 2013-14. Originally selected first overall by Prince Albert in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Rudolph also represented Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and captained Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Forward – Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL): 33G-56A, 89 PTS, +40 in 54 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Barrie Colts co-captain was named the CHL Sportsman Player of the Year after delivering one of the OHL’s most complete seasons. The Utah Mammoth prospect led Barrie with 89 points in just 54 games while taking only 29 penalty minutes, and his 1.65 points-per-game average ranked second in the OHL. Beaudoin also finished tied for the OHL lead with 10 game-winning goals and won 55 per cent of his faceoffs. In the OHL Coaches Poll, the 20-year-old from Kanata, Ont., led all Eastern Conference players with four first-place finishes — hardest worker, best defensive forward, best on faceoffs, and best penalty killer. Forward – Nathan Aspinall (Flint Firebirds / OHL): 33G-61A, 94 PTS, +21 in 65 GP during the 2025-26 season; the Flint Firebirds captain helped lead his club to the best season in its 10-year history while setting a new franchise record with 61 assists. The 6-foot-7 winger from Markham, Ont., finished with 94 points, a 47-point improvement from the previous season, and placed fifth in the OHL with 250 shots on goal. A fifth-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2024 NHL Draft, Aspinall also tied for the OHL lead with eight first goals and converted on four of six shootout attempts. His breakout campaign earned him OHL Player of the Month honours in November and recognition in both the hardest shot and best playmaker categories in the Western Conference portion of the OHL Coaches Poll. Forward – JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL): 42G-55A, 97 PTS, +13 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; Hurlbert enjoyed one of the most productive rookie seasons in Kamloops Blazers history, recording 97 points to surpass Scottie Upshall’s previous franchise rookie benchmark of 87. Ranked No. 12 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting heading into the 2026 NHL Draft, the Allen, Texas product led all WHL rookies in scoring and tied Nikita Klepov for the most points by any CHL rookie in 2025-26. Hurlbert became just the third player in Blazers history to win the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year, joining Upshall and Ron Shudra. He also ranked among WHL leaders in points, goals, first goals, and assists while serving as an alternate captain in his first WHL season.

CHL All-Rookie Team

Goaltender – Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL): 29-9-2-1 record, 2.07 GAA, .923 SV% & 6 SO in 41 GP during the 2025-26 season; Fetterolf’s first CHL season produced one of the top rookie goaltending campaigns in recent CHL and OHL history. The 18-year-old from Sewickley, Pa., set an Ottawa 67’s franchise record with a 2.07 goals-against average, while his six shutouts established a new OHL rookie record. Fetterolf also shared the Dave Pinkney Trophy with Jaeden Nelson as the OHL’s lowest goals-against tandem and received the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the rookie goaltender with the league’s lowest goals-against average. An eligible prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, Fetterolf is ranked No. 11 among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. Defenceman – Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL): 13G-68A, 81 PTS, +58 in 63 GP during the 2025-26 season; Bleyl finished second among all QMJHL rookies with 81 points, setting a league record for points by a rookie defenceman. His 68 assists led the QMJHL regardless of position and represented the highest single-season total by a CHL rookie defenceman in the 21st century. Ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Bleyl ended the season with three QMJHL trophies — the Sidney-Crosby Trophy, Émile-Bouchard Trophy, and Raymond-Lagacé Trophy — before being named CHL Rookie of the Year. Defenceman – Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL): 12G-45A, 57 PTS, -3 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; Harper made an immediate impact with Saginaw, setting a new Spirit record for points by a rookie defenceman. The 17-year-old from Tampa, Fla., recorded 57 points in 68 games while seeing significant minutes on the Spirit blue line. A 2027 NHL Draft prospect, Harper joined Saginaw after winning gold with the United States at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and later represented his country at the 2026 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship. He also earned the OHL’s Bobby Smith Trophy as Scholastic Player of the Year after posting a 93.2 per cent academic average and graduating a full year early. Forward – Caleb Malhotra (Brantford Bulldogs / OHL): 29G-55A, 84 PTS, +33 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season; Malhotra emerged as one of the OHL’s most productive rookies in his first season with the Brantford Bulldogs. The 6-foot-2 centre recorded 84 points in 67 games, setting a new franchise record for points by a Bulldogs rookie. Ranked sixth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Malhotra also scored eight game-winning goals, produced 30 power-play points, and was a finalist among the Eastern Conference’s top stickhandlers in the OHL Coaches Poll. His strong start included points in 11 of his first 12 games, highlighted by a five-point performance against Sudbury on September 27. Forward – JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL): 42G-55A, 97 PTS, +13 in 68 GP during the 2025-26 season; Hurlbert’s outstanding rookie season saw him become the highest-scoring first-year player in Kamloops Blazers history. The 6-foot forward led all WHL rookies and tied for the CHL rookie scoring lead with 97 points, while his 42 goals ranked tied for fourth among WHL skaters. The Allen, Texas, native became just the third rookie in Blazers history to score 40 goals in a season, joining Scottie Upshall and Rudolfs Balcers. He was also named to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team and finished as the No. 12-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. Forward – Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL): 37G-60A, 97 PTS, +9 in 67 GP during the 2025-26 season; Klepov became just the third player in OHL history to win both the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy and the Emms Family Award as Rookie of the Year in the same season, joining Jack Valiquette and Patrick Kane. The 17-year-old Saginaw Spirit forward led the OHL with 97 points and became the first rookie to lead any CHL Member League in scoring since Kane did so with London in 2006-07. Ranked No. 8 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in its Final Rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, Klepov recorded at least three points in a game 13 times and earned OHL Rookie of the Month honours in October, January, and February.