RECAP: 2024 WHL Cup
Photos by: Taylor Lachance/WHL
Regina, Sask. – The 2024 WHL Cup concluded on Sunday, with Team Alberta defeating Team Manitoba 8-1 for gold. In the bronze medal game, Team Saskatchewan took down Team B.C., 8-5.
Five Regina Pats prospects represented teams. Drake Mooney represented Team Alberta and took home gold while Hunter Wilm, Sam Failler and Aiden Wagner played for Team Sask and earned bronze. Cohen Handby and Mathis Paull each had solid tournaments despite not taking home any hardware.
Drake Mooney | Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep | Team Alberta
Mooney, 14, made two appearances for Alberta. After being pulled in his first start versus Saskatchewan on October 23, the Blackfalds, Alta. product stopped 19 of 20 in a 2-0 loss to B.C. on October 25. Mooney was selected by the Pats with the 82nd pick of the 2024 WHL 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. This season, he is 1-4-1 this season with a 4.31 G.A.A and a .881 SV%.
Aiden Wagner | Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA | Team Saskatchewan
Wagner, 15, scored one goal in five games, helping Team Saskatchewan to a bronze medal. The 5-foot-11, 168 lb. right-shot defenceman was drafted by the Pats in the second round (25th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. Wagner was signed by the Pats just a month after being selected by the Regiment in the spring. This came after the the Yorkton, Sask. product recorded 23 points (4G-19A) in 22 games with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep team in 2023-24 as well as six points (3G-3A) in five playoff games. In addition, Wagner was a CSSHL U15 Champion and was named a CSSHL U15 Second-Team All-Star last season.
Sam Failler | Warman Wildcats U18 AAA | Team Saskatchewan
Failler, 15, recorded three helpers in five games for Team Saskatchewan. The Dundurn, Sask. product was drafted by the Pats in the second round (38th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. Last season, Failler recorded 48 points (19G-29A) in 19 games with the Martensville Marauders U15 AA team, finishing fourth on his club in points, goals and assists. The 5-foot-9, 139 lb. right-shot forward has tallied two points (1G-1A) in three games with the Wildcats this season.
Hunter Wilm | Swift Current Legionnaires U18 | Team Saskatchewan
Wilm, 15, picked up four points (1G-3A) in five games for Sask. The Central Butte, Sask. product was selected by the Pats in the sixth round (114th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. Last season, Wilm tallied 41 points (19G-22A) in 26 games with the Swift Current Broncos U15 AA team, finishing third on his club in points and goals. The 5-foot-8, 134 lb. and played for the Saskatchewan Jr. Pats in 2018-19 at the Brick Invitational. This season, Wilm has three points (1G-2A) in seven games with the Legionnaires.
Cohen Handby | Okanagan HA U18 Prep | Team B.C.
Handby, 14, recorded five points (1G-4A) in five games at the 2024 WHL Cup, including a three point game (1G-2A) against Saskatchewan in the bronze medal game. The Kelowna B.C., product 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 with OHA. With the Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep team in 2023-24, the 6-foot-3, 172 lb. forward compiled 32 points (9G-23A) in 27 games, ending the season first on his team in assists and third in points.
Mathis Paull | RINK HA Kelowna U18 Prep | Team B.C.
Paull, 15, tallied four assists in five games, with three of his four helpers against Saskatchewan in the bronze medal game. The 6-foot-2, 186 lb. left winger 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.
2024 WHL CUP HUB
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