2024 WHL Cup Preview: Handby, Paull and Mooney (BC and Alberta)
Photos by Keith Hershmiller Photography
Regina, Sask. – The 2024 WHL Cup will get underway on Wednesday, October 23 at the Peavey Mart Centrium – home of the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. Last week, we looked at Pats prospects representing Team Saskatchewan. Today, we dive into prospects Cohen Handby, Mathis Paull and Drake Mooney.
Handby and Paull will represent Team B.C. as their tournament gets underway with the opening game on Wednesday against Manitoba at 4:15 MDT. Meanwhile, Mooney will play for Team Alberta. Their schedule gets started on Wednesday at 7pm MDT versus Saskatchewan.
Drake Mooney | Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep
Mooney, 14, doesn’t turn 15 until Oct. 28, and has gone 1-4-1 this season with a 4.31 G.A.A and a .881 SV%. The Blackfalds, Alta. product was selected with the 82nd pick of the 2024 Prospects Draft after going 13-5-0 with a 2.40 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage with the Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA team in 2023-24.
“Of course I’m focused on right now and the team, but I really want to show everyone I’m a top goaltender and one of the top goalies in the draft,” Mooney said. “I just want to show people that I’m working hard. When it comes to playing in the WHL, you have to be on your feet a lot, beat plays with your eyes and beat the puck. It’s all about speed and working to get my legs a lot stronger.”
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 151 lb., Mooney also played for Team Alberta Black at the Alberta Cup this past season, posting a 3.23 G.A.A and a .902 SV%.
In addition to skill development a Prairie Hockey Academy, Mooney wants to work on the mental side of his game as well.
“Confidence is huge for goaltending, and you can’t lack it,” he added. “It’s something that should be with you all the time and you should always have confidence in your game. It helps your teammates as well, as when you show confidence around yourself, they show confidence around you. It makes them feel more conferrable when thinking about making more aggressive plays.”
Mooney is also a student of the game, and enjoys watching NHL goaltenders such as Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders and former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price.
“He [Sorokin] is not overly small but I love the way he plays as he’s quick and he likes to beat pucks,” Mooney explained. “He likes to make flashy saves once in awhile and I think that’s where I get my game from. The main guy is Carey Price. I love his game so much. The flash, the big saves and the simpleness in his game. I just love it.”
Cohen Handby | Okanagan HA U18 Prep
Handby, 14, doesn’t turn 15 until Dec. 17, and was drafted by the Pats with the 52nd pick of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. This season, Handby has tallied five points (1G-4A) in six contests.
“I was really excited as soon as I had my name called,” Handby said on being drafted by Regina. “Spring camp was really fun, but I was nervous. Main camp there was lots of guys so I was nervous, but not as nervous as spring camp. Just going through the process, sticking around, and then playing in the pre-season game was really fun.”
Handby played in one pre-season game with the Pats, which took place against the Swift Current Broncos. Getting that experience going into a important season with OHA was crucial for his development.
“I knew how fast it was, but when you experience how much faster the game is and how much quicker you need to be to make decisions. I’d say I need to work on that,” Handby added. “I’d like to become faster and more offensive, and keep playing smart in the defensive zone. Hopefully I can become more offensive and quicker with the puck.”
With the Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep team in 2023-24, Handby compiled 32 points (9G-23A) in 27 games, ending the season first on his team in assists and third in points. The 6-foot-3, 172 lb. left-shot forward hails from Kelowna, B.C., and played for the Island Wild U14 team in 2022-23, totaling 31 points (17G-14A) in 31 games.
With the WHL Cup right around the corner, Handby brings a lot of strengths to Team BC and the Pats. His big frame and hockey sense make him an important piece to the Pats future.
“I think I’m a good playmaker, and can pass the puck really well,” he said. “I think I’m good in faceoffs, too. All around, I’d say I’m a good 200-foot player. I look up to Matthew Tkachuk and Adam Lowry. Two players with a good 200-foot game, physical and good playmakers. They just play the game the right way.”
Mathis Paull | RINK HA Kelowna U18 Prep
Paull, 15, was selected by the Pats with the 48th pick of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, racking up 34 points (16G-18A) in 27 games in 2023-24 with the Rink H.A. Kelowna U15 Prep team, where he was second on his squad in points.
This season, the Vernon, B.C., product has tallied nine points (4G-5A) in six games with RHA. His best game of the season came on October 6 where he tallied four points (2G-2A).
The 6-2, 186 lb. left winger played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy in 2022-23, recording 34 points (18G-16A) in 34 games.
The 2024 WHL Cup will showcase the top 2009-born players from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The WHL Cup, established in 2009, is held every season except in years when the Canada Winter Games are contested, and is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence for players.
