Game Preview | Cougars at Thunderbirds | 09/26/26
KENT, WA – The Prince George Cougars begin their first road swing of the regular season with a visit to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is set for 6:05 pm at the accesso ShoWare Center.
The Cats opened the season with a weekend split against the Penticton Vees at the CN Centre. In their most recent contest, the Cougars fell 5-1. Dmitri Yakutsenak scored Prince George’s lone goal, while goaltender Peyton Shore made 28 saves in his Cougars debut.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
THE MATCHUP:
Cougars 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 1-1-0-0
Thunderbirds 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 1-0-0-0
WHO TO WATCH:
COUGARS:
#15 Corbin Vaughan – The 20-year-old defenceman from Merritt, BC, was named the 32nd captain in Cougars history yesterday. Vaughan enters tonight with 181 WHL games played and remains a steady presence on the blue line. He is in his third season with Prince George and his fifth in the Western Hockey League.
#28 Kayden Lemire – The Cougars get a boost to their lineup with the return of Minnesota Wild prospect Kayden Lemire. The Wild selected Lemire in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Edmonton, Alta., product recorded 29 points and played all 68 games for the Cougars last season. He also suited up for the club in a preseason game.
THUNDERBIRDS:
#89 Antonio Martorana – Antonio Martorana is entering his fourth season with the Thunderbirds. The 5-foot-8 forward from Edmonton put together an impressive 2025-26 campaign, recording 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) in 63 games.
#35 Marek Sklenicka – The Czech goaltender is coming off an NHL training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers, who selected him 120th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. In his first WHL season last year, Sklenicka posted a 20-12-5-1 record, a 3.21 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.
Coach’s Corner:
“They are a little bit different. They’re a better team. They have added some good players. They are back to their culture and identity and it matches ours.” GM & Head Coach Mark Lamb on taking on Seattle.
“It’s great to get these guys back (Aiden Foster and Kayden Lemire from NHL Camps). They are unique players that fit our identity with physicality, the skating and we are really excited to welcome them back.” Lamb on having Kayden Lemire and Aiden Foster back in the lineup.
TONIGHT’S DETAILS:
Puck Drop: 6:05 pm
Opponent: Seattle Thunderbirds
Venue: accesso shoWare Center (Kent, WA)
Watch: YouTube
Radio: 94.3 The Goat
