Vancouver Giants - Feed https://chl.ca/whl-giants/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 03:28:35 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Giants Unveil Full Regular Season Schedule for 2026-27 https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-unveil-full-regular-season-schedule-for-2026-27 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:03:03 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-unveil-full-regular-season-schedule-for-2026-27 Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants announced today their full 68-game schedule for the 2026-27 Western Hockey League season. As was previously announced, the Giants will begin the 2025-26 regular season on home ice against the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Langley Events Centre at 7 p.m. PT. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE The longest homestand for the Giants will be eight games in late October and November, beginning Friday, October 30 against Victoria and ending Sunday, October 22 against Kamloops. The team’s Alberta road trip – the longest road trip of the season – will take place in late February and early March, with the G-Men starting in Medicine Hat on February 27 and wrapping up in Calgary on March 7, with stops in Lethbridge (Feb. 28), Edmonton (March 3) and Red Deer (March 5) in between. The regular season will wrap up at home on Saturday, March 27 against Victoria. NOTEWORTHY HOME DATES
  • Saturday, September 19, 2026: White Spot Home Opener vs. Kelowna (7:00 p.m.)
  • Friday, October 30, 2026: Trick or Suite Night vs. Victoria (7:00 p.m.)
  • Saturday, December 12, 2026: Teddy Bear Toss vs. Penticton Vees (7:00 p.m.)
  • Sunday, January 24, 2027: First of two home games vs. defending champion Everett Silvertips (4:00 p.m.)
  • Monday, February 15, 2027: Family Day Matinee vs. Portland Winterhawks (2:00 p.m.)
  • Saturday, March 27, 2027: Fan Appreciation Night (Final Home Game) vs. Victoria (7:00 p.m.)
CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE PDF This season, the G-Men have seven Friday games, 11 Saturday games and nine Sunday games taking place at the LEC. There will be one Monday home game (February 15 – Family Day), three Tuesday home games (October 6 vs. Brandon, November 10 vs. Spokane and December 29 vs. Kelowna) and three Wednesday home games (February 3 vs. Prince Albert, February 24 vs. Saskatoon and March 17 vs. Everett). HOME GAMES BY MONTH
  • September - 2
  • October - 4
  • November - 8
  • December - 5
  • January - 4
  • February - 7
  • March - 4
HOME GAMES BY DAY OF THE WEEK
    • Monday - 1
    • Tuesday - 3
    • Wednesday - 3
    • Friday - 7
    • Saturday - 11
    • Sunday - 9
The 2027 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will begin Wednesday, March 31, 2027, culminating with the 2027 WHL Championship Series from Friday, May 7, through Monday, May 17, 2027. The 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will be hosted in Guelph, Ont., by the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm from Friday, May 21, through Sunday, May 30, 2027. CLICK HERE to view the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season schedule in its entirety. Games, dates, locations, and times are all subject to change.
Giants season tickets and flex packs are NOW ON SALE! Season ticket packages start as low as $18.26 per game and include the first two home playoff games. Flex packs start at just $135 and come in six ,12 or 36 -ticket packs. Call the Giants Office at 604.4.GIANTS (+1 (604) 444-2687) or contact the Giants at: sales@vancouvergiants.com.]]> Giants Select 2 Defencemen in CHL Import Draft https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-2-defencemen-in-chl-import-draft Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:22:22 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-2-defencemen-in-chl-import-draft Ladner, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants selected 2008-born defenceman Jakub Floriš’ (Bratislava, SVK) and 2009-born defenceman Oliver Botka (Martin, SVK) in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on Tuesday morning.
Floriš’, 18, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft this past weekend, 106th overall. Botka, who turned 17 in April, is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.
"This really improves our backend and that's where you build from," Giants Head Coach and General Manager Michael Dyck said. "Both of these guys not only have the ability to create some offence and get pucks up the ice and move them to our forwards, but I think both of them are [also] proficient defensively and will definitely help us with our transition game."
Floriš’ is 6-foot-3 and 194 lbs. The right-shot blueliner has played the last two seasons in Finland. During the 2025-26 season, Floriš’ recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points in 38 games for Lukko U20, ranking fourth among all defencemen in the Finnish U20 league in scoring. CLICK FOR FLORIS' ELITE PROSPECTS PROFILE Botka played for Slovakia as an underager at the IIHF U-18 World Championships, where he recorded four assists in seven games. The 6-foot-1, left-shot blueliner led all defencemen in the Slovakian U20 league in scoring this past season with 36 points (9G-27A) in 44 games for HK Nitra U20. CLICK FOR BOTKA'S ELITE PROSPECTS PROFILE
What the Scouts Says - Floris

Elite Prospects

"Floriš’ appeal comes mainly down to the physical tools. He’s a projectable skater who achieves ideal depth and has plus-level four-way mobility, regularly able to chain together end-to-end rushes and catch up on attackers when they try to beat him wide...Floriš generates reliable value on both sides of the ice. He’s a proactive defender who leverages his tool advantage to pinch aggressively, force dump-ins by gapping up early, and has the frame to battle effectively down low. When the play turns the other way, he’s rushing to support it if not leading it. Interestingly, Lukko utilized him on the bumper spot on the power play, which played a big part in his high goal total." – 2026 NHL Draft Guide

Daily Faceoff

"You usually know what you’re getting from Floriš every time he hits the ice. He’s a well-rounded blueliner who won’t wow you with his offensive game but can shut you down defensively. His skating is impressive and I love how physical he is along the boards. He plays a suffocating style that gives you little room to work with." – Steven Ellis

What the Scouts Says - Botka

Elite Prospects

"Frequently jumped in on rushes or carried the puck up himself. Able to use spin moves to create space and get the puck up ice. Quick hands and feet to make plays off the blue line...his raw tools and offensive upside are extremely exciting especially since he still appears to be growing and is closing in on 6-foot-2." – Janik Beichler, EP Scout

Daily Faceoff

"I hadn’t seen much of Botka’s game before this tournament, but count me in as a fan. The 17-year-old put up good numbers against U-20 competition this season, and he has looked like one of the most mature options on the Slovak blueline. He makes smart, calculated decisions with the puck while eating a ton of ice time." – Steven Ellis
The full list of 2026 CHL Import Draft selections can be found by clicking here.]]> Giants to Call City Centre Arena Home Starting in 2030 https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-to-call-city-centre-arena-home-starting-in-2030 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:04:16 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-to-call-city-centre-arena-home-starting-in-2030 Langley, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants announced on Tuesday that the hockey club will relocate to City Centre Arena – a new sports and entertainment arena that will be completed in 2030 – in Surrey, B.C., beginning at the start of the 2030-31 Western Hockey League season. “This is a transformational decision for the Vancouver Giants and one that positions our organization for long-term success,” Giants Majority Owner and President Ron Toigo said. “We are thrilled to be part of this amazing venue that will change the face of Surrey like never before. It’s an exciting time for the city and we’re proud to be part of its growth. “Moving into a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena in Surrey City Centre gives us the opportunity to bid on premier events such as the IIHF World Junior Championship and the Memorial Cup. It will provide an outstanding experience for our players, fans and partners in a building that is designed for the future. We’re grateful to the Township of Langley for its support and look forward to spending at least three more seasons there. With Michael Dyck back in the fold, we’re excited to get back to our winning ways.” City Centre Arena will be located in the heart of Surrey City Centre, where the Giants will be the anchor tenant. Anticipated to be completed by 2030, the state-of-the-art facility will be the centerpiece of Surrey's new entertainment district, featuring an arena with an approximate seating capacity of 10,000 for hockey, concerts and community events. The development also includes a hotel with conference facilities, retail, office and commercial space connected by an enclosed galleria. "We're proud to welcome the Vancouver Giants as the future anchor tenant of the City Centre Arena and Cultural Event Centre," Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said. "This announcement reflects the confidence that organizations like the Giants have in Surrey's future. Together, we're creating a world-class venue that will serve residents, attract major events, support local businesses, and help build a vibrant entertainment district in the heart of Surrey's downtown." Click HERE for the City of Surrey announcement.
To inquire about purchasing season tickets to see the Vancouver Giants, call 604.4.GIANTS (604.444.2687) or click here for more information.]]> Giants Select 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Botka with 2nd CHL Import Pick https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-2027-nhl-draft-prospect-botka-with-2nd-chl-import-pick Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:28:10 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-2027-nhl-draft-prospect-botka-with-2nd-chl-import-pick Ladner, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants selected 2009-born defenceman Oliver Botka (Martin, SVK) with the 70th overall pick in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on Tuesday morning. Botka, who turned 17 in April, is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft and played for Slovakia as an underager at the IIHF U-18 World Championships, where he recorded four assists in seven games. "Really, really good skater," Giants Head Coach and General Manager Michael Dyck said. "Obviously offensive upside and a guy who's going to be a good two-way guy for us." CLICK FOR BOTKA'S ELITE PROSPECTS PROFILE The 6-foot-1, left-shot blueliner led all defencemen in the Slovakian U20 league in scoring this past season with 36 points (9G-27A) in 44 games for HK Nitra U20. He produced 18 points (2G-16A) in 29 games in the U20 league as a 15-year-old during the 2024-25 season.

What the Scouts Says

Elite Prospects

"The only underage player on Slovakia's blue line, Botka was a big standout in both games I saw. A very agile skater with good size, he made an impact at both ends of the ice. He was great on retrievals, displaying good speed that allowed him to win races even against faster top prospects like Canada's Tynan Lawrence. Consistently stood out with the puck on his stick. Able to to get the puck off the boards and start a breakout. Frequently jumped in on rushes or carried the puck up himself. Able to use spin moves to create space and get the puck up ice. Quick hands and feet to make plays off the blue line...his raw tools and offensive upside are extremely exciting especially since he still appears to be growing and is closing in on 6-foot-2. – Janik Beichler

Daily Faceoff

"I hadn’t seen much of Botka’s game before this tournament, but count me in as a fan. The 17-year-old put up good numbers against U-20 competition this season, and he has looked like one of the most mature options on the Slovak blueline. He makes smart, calculated decisions with the puck while eating a ton of ice time." – Steven Ellis
The full list of 2026 CHL Import Draft selections can be found by clicking here.]]> Giants Select Right-Shot D-Man Floriš with 9th Pick in CHL Import Draft https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-right-shot-d-man-floris-with-9th-pick-in-chl-import-draft Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:48:21 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-select-right-shot-d-man-floris-with-9th-pick-in-chl-import-draft Ladner, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants selected 2008-born defenceman Jakub Floriš’ (Bratislava, SVK) with the 9th overall pick in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on Tuesday morning. Floriš’, 18, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round of the NHL Entry Draft this past weekend, 106th overall. "Good size, big two-way defenceman that can skate," Giants Head Coach and General Manager Michael Dyck said. "Obviously he's going to be a big, big part of our team moving forward." CLICK FOR FLORIS' ELITE PROSPECTS PROFILE The 6-foot-3, right-shot blueliner has played the last two seasons in Finland. During the 2025-26 season, Floriš’ recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points in 38 games for Lukko U20, ranking fourth among all defencemen in the Finnish U20 league in scoring. During the 2024-25 season, he tallied 25 points in 37 games (8G-17A) for Lukko U18. Internationally, Floriš’ recently represented Slovakia at the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Championships, where he tallied four points (2G-2A) in seven games. https://twitter.com/RussellV_MSP/status/2070927712458264656 "Jakub Floriš outperformed Adam Goljer at the [U-18] tournament, displaying more aggressive defence while matching his counterpart in terms of puck-moving ability," Elite Prospects scout David St. Louis said in a game report from May 13. "He escaped pressure, dragging forecheckers with him to pass back into space to his partner. And he constantly knocked opponents out of the play in this game, separating them from the puck...The tools look NHL projectable, especially his skating and physical ability, and the flashes of puck-moving potential only add to his projection. A potential bottom-pairing NHL defender." The Giants also hold the 70th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft. They will pass on their third round pick.

More from the Scouts

Elite Prospects

"Floriš’ appeal comes mainly down to the physical tools. He’s a projectable skater who achieves ideal depth and has plus-level four-way mobility, regularly able to chain together end-to-end rushes and catch up on attackers when they try to beat him wide...Floriš generates reliable value on both sides of the ice. He’s a proactive defender who leverages his tool advantage to pinch aggressively, force dump-ins by gapping up early, and has the frame to battle effectively down low. When the play turns the other way, he’s rushing to support it if not leading it. Interestingly, Lukko utilized him on the bumper spot on the power play, which played a big part in his high goal total." – 2026 NHL Draft Guide

Daily Faceoff

"You usually know what you’re getting from Floriš every time he hits the ice. He’s a well-rounded blueliner who won’t wow you with his offensive game but can shut you down defensively. His skating is impressive and I love how physical he is along the boards. He plays a suffocating style that gives you little room to work with." – Steven Ellis
The full list of 2026 CHL Import Draft selections can be found by clicking here.]]> 6 Current Giants at NHL Development Camps https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/6-current-giants-at-nhl-development-camps Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:47:38 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/6-current-giants-at-nhl-development-camps Langley, B.C. – Six members of the Vancouver Giants 2025-26 roster have earned invitations to NHL development camps, which begin this week. Three were drafted this past weekend in Buffalo: Ryan Lin, Mathis Preston and Joe Iginla. Lin, 18, will join the San Jose Sharks for their camp after they made him the 21st overall selection on Friday. Sharks camp runs from June 30 until July 2. The schedule can be found here. The right-shot defenceman has tallied 110 career points in 114 games over two seasons with the Giants and was named a Western Conference second team all-star this past season after tallying 57 points in 53 games. Preston, 17, will join the Anaheim Ducks for their camp after being picked 50th overall by them over the weekend. Ducks development camp begins on June 29 and runs until July 1. Click here for the camp schedule. The second-round draft pick recorded 12 points (4G-8A) in 10 games with Vancouver after being acquired in a mid-season trade from Spokane. He has 93 career points in 105 games split between the Giant and Chiefs. Iginla, 17, will join the Calgary Flames for development camp, after they made him a third-round pick on Saturday. The 5-foot-10 forward finished his second full WHL campaign in 2025-26 with 31 points (15G-16A) in 59 games split between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Giants. Joining Iginla in Calgary will be Giants forward Brett Olson, who is a free agent invite. Olson doubled his point total from his 16-year-old rookie season, finishing 2025-26 with 30 points (11G-19A). He was the only Giant to suit up in all 68 games last year. Flames camp runs from July 1-3. The schedule can be found here. Rounding out the Giants development camp attendees are two 2025 NHL Draft picks: Burke Hood and Will Sharpe. Hood, 19, is back at New York Islanders camp after he was a sixth-round selection last summer. Hood has played in 42 games in each of his first two seasons in Vancouver, collecting a 37-31-7-1 record, 3.48 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. Sharpe, 19, is attending his second Los Angeles Kings development camp after he was their seventh-round pick last summer. Sharpe was a mid-season trade acquisition by the Giants and has 84 career points in 185 games. Kings camp runs June 29 through July 2. The camp schedule can be found here.]]> 2026 NHL Draft Recap: Vancouver Giants https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/88644-2 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:07:29 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/88644-2 Buffalo, N.Y. – The Vancouver Giants hockey club is proud to congratulate Ryan Lin, Mathis Preston and Joe Iginla on getting drafted to the NHL this weekend. The trio of picks is the most in one draft since 2018, when the G-Men saw Milos Roman, David Tendeck and Alex Kannok Leipert all get selected. The Giants haven't had three picks in the first three rounds since 2007, which was also the only time in franchise they have had more than three players get selected. That season, Jonathon Blum went in Round 1, Michal Řepík went in Round 2, while Spencer Machacek and Tyson Sexsmith both went in Round 3. Lin, Preston and Iginla are the 41st, 42nd and 43rd Giants to be selected in the NHL Draft in the team's 25-year history. Lin (Richmond, B.C.) was selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 21st overall pick. Only four other Giants have been selected with a higher pick in franchise history: Samuel Honzek was selected 16th overall (2023 – Calgary), Bowen Byram (2019 – Colorado) and Evander Kane (2009 – Atlanta) were both selected fourth overall, and Gilbert Brule (2005 – Columbus) was selected sixth overall. https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks/status/2070690635833860270 During the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, Lin led the Giants in scoring with 57 points in 53 games, on 14 goals and 43 assists. The 5-foot-11 defenceman ranked 4th amongst all WHL skaters in average ice-time per game (25:58). His 1.08 points-per-game were the third-highest by a Giants defenceman in franchise history, trailing only Jonathon Blum (1.29 in 2008-09) and Mazden Leslie (1.09 in 2024-25). Lin was originally selected by the Giants with the 6th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Preston (Penticton, B.C.) was selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the 50th overall pick. He becomes the 12th Giant ever to be selected in the top-50 picks of an NHL Draft. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2070902702608204233 During the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, Preston recorded 12 points (4G-8A) in 10 games with Vancouver and 32 points in 36 games with the Spokane Chiefs. The 5-foot-11 right-shot forward missed significant time due to a lower-body injury that he suffered on January 10, but returned in time to deliver a standout performance for Canada at the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he recorded two goals and four assists in five games. Preston was acquired by the Giants from the Chiefs in January, and was originally the 3rd overall pick by Spokane in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Iginla (Lake Country, B.C.) was selected by the Calgary Flames with the 65th overall pick, picked by the same team his father, Jarome, spent the majority of his career with. The 5-foot-10 forward finished his second full WHL campaign in 2025-26 with 31 points (15G-16A) in 59 games split between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Giants. He was recovering from an injury at the time of the midseason trade to Vancouver, but heated up at the end of the year, with seven points (3G-4A) in his final 10 games. https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/2070930797914431783 Iginla was originally the 12th overall pick by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The Giants congratulate Ryan, Mathis and Joe on this incredible accomplishment.]]> Giants Forward Joe Iginla Selected by Flames in 3rd Round of 2026 NHL Entry Draft https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/joe-iginla-selected-by-flames-in-3rd-round-of-2026-nhl-entry-draft Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:18:04 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/joe-iginla-selected-by-flames-in-3rd-round-of-2026-nhl-entry-draft Buffalo, NY – The Vancouver Giants are thrilled to announce that 17-year-old forward Joe Iginla (Lake Country, B.C.) has been selected by the Calgary Flames with the first pick of the third round in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, 65th overall. Iginla is the third Vancouver Giant selected so far in the 2026 NHL Draft, joining Ryan Lin (21st overall, San Jose) and Mathis Preston (50th overall, Anaheim). Iginla is drafted to the same team his father, Jarome, spent the majority of his career with. The 5-foot-10 forward finished his second full WHL campaign in 2025-26 with 31 points (15G-16A) in 59 games split between the Edmonton Oil Kings and Giants. He was recovering from an injury at the time of the midseason trade to Vancouver, but heated up at the end of the year, with seven points (3G-4A) in his final 10 games. https://twitter.com/NHLFlames/status/2070930797914431783 CLICK FOR IGINLA’S WHL BIO “On behalf of the Vancouver Giants, we congratulate Joe and his family on his selection by the Calgary Flames in the NHL Draft,” Giants Assistant Coach Wacey Rabbit said. “Joe was a welcome addition to our team at the trade deadline and finished the season playing some of his best hockey. He's a highly competitive player with tremendous character and a bright future ahead. We know this is a special moment for Joe and his family, and it's a fitting place for him to begin his NHL journey. We're excited to continue supporting his development." Iginla was originally the 12th overall pick by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.  Internationally, Iginla has played for Canada at the U-17 World Challenge, winning a Silver Medal. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft continues today from Buffalo. You can follow along here.

WHAT THE SCOUTS SAY:

“He’s got competitiveness, he’s got hockey sense and he’s a really driven athlete.” – Jason Bukala, live on the Sportsnet broadcast “He is more of a details-based player who leverages his physical game and effort to make a difference. A retrieval machine, Iginla outworks opponents in battles, establishes the forecheck, and regularly extends the cycle, playing a linear but hard-working style. From off-the-catch wristers to cycle extension plays, Iginla has many of the habits a prospect needs to succeed in the NHL – he’s far ahead of the curve when it comes to those details..Long-term, Iginla still looks like a future professional player, most likely in a checking, motor-based role. At 5-foot-10, that archetype may be more difficult to achieve, but as a team, we believe he has more offence to unlock at the WHL level.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide

NOTES:

  • Iginla is the 43rd Giants player to ever be drafted to the NHL.
  • Iginla is the seventh Giant ever selected by the Calgary Flames, the most of any NHL team
  • The Vancouver Giants have had at least one player selected in the NHL Draft in 21 of their 25 years of existence
]]> Vancouver Giants Forward Mathis Preston Selected by Anaheim in 2nd Round of NHL Draft https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/vancouver-giants-forward-mathis-preston-selected-by-anaheim-in-2nd-round-of-nhl-draft Sat, 27 Jun 2026 17:31:54 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/vancouver-giants-forward-mathis-preston-selected-by-anaheim-in-2nd-round-of-nhl-draft Buffalo, NY – The Vancouver Giants are thrilled to announce that 17-year-old forward Mathis Preston (Penticton, B.C.) has been selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the 50th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Preston becomes the 12th Giant ever to be selected in the top-50 picks of an NHL Draft. "Pure joy. I'm super excited," Preston said to the media after getting picked. "Heard nothing but great things [about Anaheim]. Great place to play and super fun to watch. I'm so excited and so thankful." During the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, the 5-foot-11 right-shot forward recorded 12 points (4G-8A) in 10 games with Vancouver and 32 points in 36 games with the Spokane Chiefs. He missed significant time due to a lower-body injury that he suffered on January 10, but returned in time to deliver a standout performance for Canada at the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he recorded two goals and four assists in five games. https://twitter.com/eliteprospects/status/2070897804092793272 CLICK FOR PRESTON'S WHL BIO “On behalf of the Vancouver Giants, we congratulate Mathis and his family on his selection by Anaheim in the NHL Draft,” Giants Assistant Coach Wacey Rabbit said. “Mathis is an immensely talented player with the work ethic to match. He made an immediate impact when he returned to our lineup in March and carried that momentum into a strong performance with Canada at the U-18 World Championship. We think he has the opportunity to be a top WHL player for us next season, and we look forward to continuing to foster his development alongside the Ducks.” Preston was acquired by the Giants from the Chiefs in January, and was originally the 3rd overall pick by Spokane in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.  https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2070902702608204233 Internationally, Preston has represented Canada four times, most recently at the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he won a Bronze medal. Preston also won Bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Gold at the 2024 U17 World Challenge (Canada White) and played for Canada at the 2023 Youth Olympic Games. The 2026 NHL Entry Draft continues today from Buffalo. You can follow along here.

WHAT THE SCOUTS SAY:

“Another guy I thought was going to sneak into the first round. Love his two-way energy…He ended the season on a high note representing Canada at the U-18 worlds. Energy, compete, two-way guy, can play up and down the lineup, [can] rip a puck from the weakside flank on the power play. I really love his character. I’m really happy for him as well. He book-ended his season. He was really good at the Hlinka Gretzky [Cup] last summer and then he was really good for Canada at the Worlds. A little uneven in between, but speed, tenacity and this: he knows how to put the puck in the net.” – Jason Bukala, live on the Sportsnet broadcast “Mathis Preston is the king of upside in this class...When you watch him on the ice, though, he's a high-paced, high-skill winger who is like a knife through butter in transition at times. Preston is always looking to make an impact offensively, using his snappy shot and slick passing to generate scoring chances. He has all of the potential in the world to be one of the most effective offensive players in this draft class. While he has fallen down many lists, his ability to be a true game-breaker is too enticing in my opinion.” – Tony Ferrari (The Hockey News) “He’s an undeniably talented player who could become a top-six threat down the line. Preston has a remarkable shot and often wastes no time firing in the back of the net from the slot. It’s NHL-ready right now – something very few 17/18-year-olds can claim. Preston consistently finds open space, but he can also create those opportunities with his skating. He’s fast, can start and stop on a dime and can often skate himself out of dangerous situations.” – Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff) “Preston is one of the fastest skaters in the draft class, combining fully-extended strides with rapid-fire crossovers to blaze around defenders. With hands that match, he dangles opponents, often in creative ways, and masks his release with quick handling. Speaking of his shot, it too is lethal. Preston fires with power and precision at full speed, without even breaking stride. He requires no wind-up, fires off the catch, and doesn’t need much to find a corner…If Preston keeps developing his change-of-pace game, playmaking, and inside play, he could become a second-line scorer.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide

NOTES:

  • Preston is the 42nd Giants player to ever be drafted to the NHL.
  • Preston was selected with the exact same pick (50th) as Giants great Milan Lucic was 20 years ago
  • Preston becomes the first ever Vancouver Giant to be selected by the Anaheim Ducks
  • The Vancouver Giants have had at least one player selected in the NHL Draft in 21 of their 25 years of existence
]]> Giants Defenceman Ryan Lin Selected 21st Overall by San Jose Sharks https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-defenceman-ryan-lin-selected-21st-overall-by-san-jose-sharks Sat, 27 Jun 2026 03:10:00 +0000 Nathan Kanter https://chl.ca/whl-giants/article/giants-defenceman-ryan-lin-selected-21st-overall-by-san-jose-sharks Buffalo, NY – The Vancouver Giants are thrilled to announce that 18-year-old defenceman Ryan Lin (Richmond, B.C.) has been selected by the San Jose Sharks with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. "For me this day is about [my family]," Lin said to Ailish Forfar live on the Sportsnet broadcast after getting drafted. "They've done everything to help get me here. I couldn't thank them enough. What a dream this is." The Sharks traded up from pick 27 to 21 in order to select Lin. "Just to know they traded up and really wanted me – that feels good for sure," Lin added. Only four other Giants have been selected with a higher pick in franchise history: Samuel Honzek was selected 16th overall (2023 – Calgary), Bowen Byram (2019 – Colorado) and Evander Kane (2009 – Atlanta) were both selected fourth overall, and Gilbert Brule (2005 – Columbus) was selected sixth overall. https://twitter.com/SanJoseSharks/status/2070693213527249199 During the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, Lin led the Giants in scoring with 57 points in 53 games, on 14 goals and 43 assists. The 5-foot-11 defenceman ranked 4th amongst all WHL skaters in average ice-time per game (25:58). His 1.08 points-per-game were the third-highest by a Giants defenceman in franchise history, trailing only Jonathon Blum (1.29 in 2008-09) and Mazden Leslie (1.09 in 2024-25).  CLICK FOR LIN'S WHL BIO “On behalf of the Vancouver Giants, we’d like to congratulate Ryan and his family on his selection by San Jose in the NHL Draft,” Giants Assistant Coach Wacey Rabbit said. “Ryan played an important role on our team over the past two seasons, bringing reliability, competitiveness and leadership to our defence corps. We’re proud of everything he has accomplished and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.” https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2070689824668033182 Lin was originally selected by the Giants with the 6th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.  Internationally, Lin has represented Canada five times already, most recently at the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Championship, where he won a Bronze medal. Lin also won Bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Gold at the 2025 U-18 Men’s Worlds, Gold at the 2024 U17 World Challenge (Canada White) and played for Canada at the 2023 Youth Olympic Games. Round two of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft begins tomorrow (Saturday) morning from Buffalo at 8 a.m. PT. You can follow along here.

WHAT THE SCOUTS SAY:

“Lin does almost everything at a high level, executes the small things extremely well and plays the game with a rare quality, maturity and detail for a D his age. He steers play with his quiet efficiency, feel for the game, puck-moving, A-level hockey IQ, good skating…a great stick offensively and defensively, and head-on-a-swivel defensive play and reads...he’s just an excellent all-around modern defenseman who gets it, and I think there’s some Josh Morrissey/Jared Spurgeon in him. I think he’s a phenomenal player who plays the game the way it's meant to be played.” – Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) “Lin is a transitional defenceman and power play quarterback. He added more of a “shooting” approach to his game offensively this season, producing 14G-43A in the process.” – Jason Bukala (Sportsnet) "Defensively, Lin already looks like an NHL defender. Combining high-end mobility, stick work, and physicality, he makes the tricky stops look routine. He defends the middle with intent, using every defensive skill possible to push opponents to the perimeter, where he then darts into a physical breakup…Skating back for loose pucks, Lin shoulderchecks, initiates contact, and then makes a quick escape, but not after drawing pressure first. With clever short-range plays, he gets pucks through the forecheck and then jumps into the rush…Though he’s a couple inches short of average NHL height for defencemen, Lin is about as easy a projection as there is. He’s likely to become a top-four, two-way defenceman who plays both special teams.” – Elite Prospects Draft Guide

NOTES:

  • Lin becomes just the seventh Giants player ever to be drafted in the first round. The others are: Samuel Honzek (2023 – Calgary, 16th overall); Bowen Byram (2019 – Colorado, 4th overall); Evander Kane (2009 - Atlanta, 4th overall); Jonathon Blum (2007 – Nashville, 23rd overall); Gilbert Brule (2005 - Columbus, 6th overall); Mark Fistric (2004 – Dallas, 28th overall).
  • Lin is the 41st Giants player to ever be drafted to the NHL.
  • Lin becomes the third Vancouver Giant ever to be selected by the San Jose Sharks, after Colton Roberts (2024) and Tyson Sexsmith (2007) 
  • The Vancouver Giants have had at least one player selected in the NHL Draft in 21 of their 25 years of existence
Giants season tickets are NOW ON SALE! Call the Giants Office at 604.4.GIANTS (+1 (604) 444-2687) or contact the Giants at: sales@vancouvergiants.com.]]>