https://chl.ca/whl-wild/tag/deagan-mcmillan/ Fri, 28 Aug 2026 20:20:11 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-reveal-full-2026-27-promotional-schedule Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:56:53 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-reveal-full-2026-27-promotional-schedule 2026-27 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

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WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild staff works hard to ensure that when fans come out to Town Toyota Center for a Wild home game, the hockey itself isn’t the only attraction. That is especially true this season, as the club proudly announces its full promotional schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The key dates on the 2026-27 promotional slate begin with the team’s home opener on Saturday, September 19 against the Seattle Thunderbirds, proudly presented by Town Toyota. Ag Supply returns to sponsor two home games again this season, with the annual “More Cowbell” giveaway on Saturday, September 26 against the Everett Silvertips, as well as Wenatchee’s FANtastic FANale and 20-year-old player recognition for the final regular-season home game Saturday, March 27 against Everett. The team’s three traditional jersey auctions return starting with Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, November 7. This year, Wenatchee’s Proud to Be an American Night is paired with Guns & Hoses Night on January 22 and 23, with the latter night highlighted by the annual pregame feature between area police and firefighters. That game is a “double feature” for hockey fans, with one ticket admitting fans to both games. Hockey Fights Cancer marks the final jersey auction of the season on Saturday, February 13. Several promotional nights will make giving back to the community even more fun, including the club’s annual Diaper Toss to benefit the Women’s Service League of North Central Washington, scheduled for Saturday, October 10 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. A pair of home games on Friday, November 27 against the Kelowna Rockets and Saturday, November 28 against the Penticton Vees will help kick off the 10^th annual NCW Community Toy Drive Presented by Les Schwab. The Seattle Thunderbirds also swing in Friday, December 11 as part of Bleed Blue Night, to be held in conjunction with the American Red Cross’s blood drive at Town Toyota Center that day. Wenatchee wraps up the first half of the home schedule with Ugly Sweater Night presented by Dick’s Heating & Air Conditioning on Friday, December 18 against Spokane. 2026 wraps up just as the second-half home schedule begins, with a special 5 p.m. New Year’s Eve puck drop against Everett and an even more special giveaway. Once again this year, the Wild and Journey Travel & Tours will team up to give away a vacation to Hawaii. This year is the sixth consecutive season, and 10^th overall, that the “Wolves’ Den” will host a Wild hockey game on New Year’s Eve. More perennial favorites return in the second half of the year, including the team’s annual Pucks & Paws day on Sunday, January 17, celebrating man’s best friend. The Red Deer Rebels drop in on Friday, January 29 for Superheroes & Princesses Night, and Wenatchee Valley College takes over on “Knight at the Wild” against the Tri-City Americans on Friday, February 19. Star Wars Night presented by Deer Haven Apartments follows shortly after on Saturday, February 27 against the Portland Winterhawks. Teacher Appreciation Day with the annual “Dash For Ca$h” for area schools is set for Sunday, March 7 against the Kelowna Rockets, and Weinstein Beverage proudly presents its annual ‘80s Night on March 20 against the Spokane Chiefs. As always, the team’s final promotional schedule is subject to change – fans should visit the Wenatchee Wild website for the full promotional schedule for the 2026-27 season. Tickets for their Kids Day preseason game on Saturday, September 5 and the September 19 home opener are on sale now. Tickets for the remainder of Wenatchee’s home games go on sale Monday, ahead of the start of the team’s annual preseason training camp. On-ice activities begin for the Wild on Friday, August 28, culminating with the team’s Rookie Game against the Tri-City Americans on Monday, August 31. That game begins at 2 p.m., and is free and open to the public. Group tickets for all 34 home games are on sale now – groups of 10 or more can call or stop into the Wild office to take advantage of deep discounts and other perks ahead of the start of public single-game sales later this month. Newly revamped “flex packs” are also available, in which fans can build their own ticket package for three games or more at steep discounts against walk-up ticket prices. Season tickets also remain on sale for the 2026-27 season – to purchase tickets, or for more information, call 509-888-7825 or stop into the team’s office at Town Toyota Center. Updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team’s website and on the team’s social media platforms on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-welcome-ringstad-to-support-staff-as-sport-psychology-consultant Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:56:55 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-welcome-ringstad-to-support-staff-as-sport-psychology-consultant WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jaime Ringstad to the club’s support staff as the team’s new Sport Psychology Consultant. Dr. Ringstad is the owner of Ringstad Sport Performance and Psychology Consulting, and has extensive experience working within the hockey community, working with youth, Tier I, junior, and elite-level athletes, teams, coaches, officials, and families throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. “I’m most looking forward to teaching athletes practical mental skills that can help them work toward peak performance, both individually and as a team,” said Ringstad. “Having worked within hockey for several years, I also understand the culture of the game and the different pathways players may be navigating as they pursue junior, collegiate, and professional opportunities. I’m excited to get to know the players, understand their individual goals, and help them develop mental skills that support both their own performance and the overall success and cohesion of the team. I’m really excited to be coming on board with the Wild this season and to have the opportunity to work with the players and organization.” A licensed professional counselor with a background in psychology and education, Ringstad graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in December 2013, holding a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Coaching, and played NCAA Division II soccer throughout her time at New Mexico Highlands. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2016, and added her doctorate from the University of Western States in Alaska in 2018. She remains on the faculty at UWS, and resides in Alaska with her husband and two children, Lucille and Junior. “We are very happy to have Jamie joining our team,” said Wenatchee Wild associate general manager Chris Clark. “I have gotten to know Jamie over the years and seen how great she is with the athletes. I believe she can be a really impactful resource for our players.” Her addition to the club’s support staff continues Wenatchee’s push toward the upcoming 2026-27 season, after the recent hiring of the team’s new athletic trainer and equipment manager, and the team’s addition of Aron Branam as their new Strength & Conditioning Coach. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome Dr. Jaime Ringstad to the Wild family.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-welcome-back-branam-as-strength-conditioning-coach Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:47:18 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-welcome-back-branam-as-strength-conditioning-coach WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce that Aron Branam will return to the club this season as Wenatchee’s new Strength & Conditioning Coach. Branam comes back to the Wild after previously serving nine years as the club’s Strength & Conditioning Coach during Wenatchee’s time in the North American Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League. “I’m incredibly excited to return to the Wenatchee Wild organization after more than six years away. I previously worked with the Wild for nine seasons, so this opportunity feels a lot like coming home,” said Branam. “When I was approached in June, I was immediately interested. After speaking with management about the caliber of athletes in the organization and the opportunity to work with the players while helping establish a dedicated training facility at Town Toyota Center, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of again. Sport-specific training has always been a passion of mine, and I’m looking forward to meeting the players, helping them stay healthy and available throughout the season, and supporting their continued development as athletes.” Branam brings a wealth of expertise to the Wild, with more than 25 years of health, fitness, and performance training experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana and began his career in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation while assisting physical and occupational therapy teams at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. He later spent three years as Rocky Mountain College’s head strength and conditioning coach, working with athletes across all of its varsity sports. His career has also included leadership roles with Seattle Athletic Club, Cybex International, and Worx of Wenatchee Valley, where he served as Fitness Director and General Manager for 11 years. Most recently, he developed and led the strength, speed, and agility program for Wenatchee High School baseball. For the past decade, he has also been the strength coach to Cashmere High School graduate Hailey Van Lith, now a second-year player in the Women’s National Basketball Association and a 2024 Olympic medalist. “As an organization we are excited to have Aron back as our strength and conditioning coach,” said Wenatchee Wild assistant general manager Chris Clark, who worked with Branam during all of his previous seasons with the Wild. “He did a great job the nine years he was with us before, and really has a passion for helping kids achieve their goals. When you talk to Aron, you can hear the passion he has for the weight room and wanting to help the players get better. We would also like to thank Max Crowell who also did a great job the last handful of years.” He and his wife, LeAnne, live in Wenatchee with their four children and two dogs. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome Aron Branam back to the Wild family.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/chamberlains-journey-comes-full-circle-as-wild-hockey-academy-coach Tue, 04 Aug 2026 22:58:42 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/chamberlains-journey-comes-full-circle-as-wild-hockey-academy-coach WENATCHEE, Wash. - A hockey lover from a young age, Josh Chamberlain has spent a lot of time developing his skills to become the best hockey player he can be. A few short years after finishing his competitive playing career, he is now helping young players do the same thing as an assistant coach in the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy.  Chamberlain grew up in Spokane, Washington, where the hockey community has grown tremendously over the last several decades. With a family that had Spokane Chiefs season tickets and an older brother who played hockey, it was no surprise that he put on skates at just three years old, and has never exactly taken them off. “I got put on a pair of skates, and luckily, my brother had been playing for a couple of previous years," said Chamberlain. "I just followed in his footsteps. That's exactly what I did. It was exactly what any little brother would do at that time." There was no shortage of ways to learn the sport in the Lilac City, either. In addition to the Chiefs, the Spokane Braves have operated in town since 1971 and the Coeur d'Alene Lakers briefly operated in the Northern Pacific Hockey League just a half-hour away. Eventual Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson scored 120 points for the Lakers in just 39 games in 2006-07 before playing for the Chiefs under current Wenatchee head coach Don Nachbaur. Planet Ice in Spokane Valley and the Riverfront Park Ice Palace were also options before the two facilities closed in 2005 and 2017. "There was hockey all over the place," said Chamberlain. "I am very lucky to have grown up in Spokane, where it was thriving at the time, and I believe it still is. With the demand of hockey in Spokane, it's always been growing. They do a really good job of getting the youth programs involved.” The community of Missoula, Montana would feature in his story more than once as well. During the 2013-14 season, Chamberlain kicked off his junior hockey journey at 16 years old alongside his brother, with the Western States Hockey League's Missoula Maulers. The first stay in Missoula lasted a single season - Chamberlain had played in Wenatchee on weekends as a 14-year-old before moving on to juniors. Current Wenatchee 16U head coach Pat Norlin saw an opportunity to bring him into the Wild organization with an intriguing new opportunity: joining a program called the Wenatchee Wolves, an 18U AAA hockey team competing in the NorPac junior league.  The results were just as intriguing - with no players on the roster over 18 years old, the Wolves took the league by storm. In their first season in 2014-15, they finished third out of the league's six teams and nearly bumped the second-seeded Bellingham Blazers in the semifinal round of the Cascade Cup playoffs. The following year, they combined to go 45-1 through the regular season and playoffs, running away with the NorPac championship. With or without the older players, Chamberlain was able to quickly find his stride with the Wolves, piling up 53 points in league play but also earning a pair of appearances in the North American Hockey League with the Wild. The following year, he played in only one NorPac game, but found a spot in the lineup for five Wild games as the newest member of the British Columbia Hockey League. He became one of only 13 players to play for the Wild in both the NAHL and BCHL. "It was really special," said Chamberlain. "Throughout my season, I got a couple of chances to practice with the Wild. There were a couple of moments in and out where I'd familiarized myself with the group. At the end of the season, the Wolves didn't get to end as well as we'd wanted to, but it offered a unique opportunity for me to join the Wild immediately after our season ended. Hunter Alden and I made the jump and got to play a couple of games down in Texas." By the end of the season, he had returned to Missoula and the WSHL, rolling up 13 points in his 14 appearances on the old circuit. He continued his final two junior seasons making a massive impact for both the Missoula Jr. Bruins - now part of the North American Tier 3 Hockey League - and the WSHL's Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers. Chamberlain finished as the second-leading scorer on both teams, racking up 63 points in Missoula and an impressive 112 points with Oklahoma City. During his final year with the Blazers, he even helped recruit several former Wenatchee teammates to the Blazers, bringing the group together for one last ride on the junior stage.  "[Ivan Bondarenko] was a major component in me going to Oklahoma City," said Chamberlain. "They're familiar with him here - he was a tremendous player. I think the crowd will remember him fairly well for his ability to handle the puck, and his ability to be a great, great playmaker. When he and I got a hold of each other that summer, we decided we'd try to put together as good a team as we could in Oklahoma City." Bondarenko paced the Blazers in scoring with 126 points, while former Wolves teammate Griffin Weincek cranked out 107 points of his own. Even Wolves alternate captain Connor Dunn jumped on board to the tune of 40 points in 2017-18, helping the Blazers reach the league's Thorne Cup championshp tournament before finishing fifth. He and Dunn continued on to college together, recruited from a showcase in Las Vegas to join the group at New England College, an NCAA Division III school in Henniker, New Hampshire. Chamberlain played regularly, netting four points over 43 games during his first two seasons. Thanks to COVID restrictions, the 2020-21 season was an odd one for many - for NEC, competition that season never began until February. It was a good season for Chamberlain, picking up seven points over just 10 games, and the end of a memorable three-year run. "It was a really great time," said Chamberlain. "I'd never spent much time on the East Coast prior to my college commitment, so it was a whole new experience that I never thought I'd get the opportunity to do. Living in New Hampshire in a tiny little town, I ended up meeting my now-wife, so there was a lot that came with it. It was a unique experience - I went from playing forward as a junior hockey player to making the transition to a defenseman in college, but it was really a great time. I have friends for a lifetime that I'll never forget, and opportunities and memories that I'll never forget." The opportunity for Chamberlain to return to his old stomping grounds in Missoula and play ACHA hockey at the University of Montana was too great to turn down. The two-year stay with the Grizzlies was a fitting final chapter to finish his competitive career, returning to the same place where he had first broken into juniors nearly a decade before. After a brief 2021-22 season with the Grizzlies, he wrapped up with a point per game as a graduate player in 2022-23. “They are building something unique in Missoula, and honestly, all of Montana hockey is growing," said Chamberlain. "It has been a really cool experience to watch, and I got to play at home again in front of my parents for one last year, which was really cool.” Chamberlain stayed near the sport in the two years after his time in Montana wrapped up, and he now has a niece and nephew who are also learning the sport for the first time. Being hired at the start of the 2025-26 season has brought his journey in the sport full circle - after reaching the BCHL during his own junior career, Chamberlain now coaches in the continent's top education-based league after the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy became a Canadian Sport School Hockey League member in 2023. The same AAA program that he suited up for as a teenager had 49 former players active in junior hockey last season, with more than two dozen more lacing up the skates for NCAA and ACHA college programs. For Chamberlain, seeing the game evolve in real time through the talent of the next generation has become perhaps the biggest highlight of his coaching career.  "Playing in the CSSHL is one of the most premier things you can do as a youth hockey player," said Chamberlain. "Being able to coach and watch the talent that comes in and out of that door every day is unique and really fulfilling. Everybody knows that (hockey) is constantly changing and you never get comfortable, so it's unique to get to come in here and get to be in the CSSHL and watch this talent all the time."   *The Wenatchee Wild wish to thank media intern Brittany Howe for her contributions to this feature*]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-defenseman-boston-tait-selected-to-canadian-hlinka-gretzky-cup-roster Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:59:44 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-defenseman-boston-tait-selected-to-canadian-hlinka-gretzky-cup-roster EDMONTON, Alberta – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that 2009-born defenseman Boston Tait has been selected to compete for Team Canada at next week’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton, Alberta. Tait was chosen to the roster for next week’s tournament from Hockey Canada’s national Under-18 Men’s Summer Training Camp, held as part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Tait was one of nine defensemen chosen to compete in the camp and one of seven to be chosen to play for Canada in the tournament. 22 players in all were selected to Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster. A native of Estevan, Saskatchewan, Tait excelled last season with the Wild, playing his first full WHL season as a 16-year-old and picking up 23 points in 62 appearances. He was once named the circuit’s Rookie of the Week, scoring his first WHL goal on December 7 and adding three assists over a four-game week. He is also one of 21 players on Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster who competed in last year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia, ranking second in the tournament with six assists and serving as an alternate captain for eventual gold medalist Canada Red. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is considered one of the top preseason showcases for National Hockey League prospects in the summer prior to their draft seasons, and has been contested since 1991. The tournament is named for longtime Czech national team head coach Ivan Hlinka and Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who won four Stanley Cups during his time with the Edmonton Oilers. This year marks the sixth time that Canada will compete in the tournament on home ice, and the fourth time that Edmonton will host the tournament. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will take place in downtown Edmonton, starting with a 4 p.m. puck drop on Monday against Switzerland. Games Tuesday and Wednesday will follow against Slovakia and Sweden, respectively. Semifinals and medal games will follow next Friday and Saturday. Canada has medaled in the tournament each of the last four years, earning three straight gold medals from 2022 to 2024. The Wenatchee Wild congratulate Boston Tait on his selection to Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster, and wish him all success as he again represents Team Canada on the international stage.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-hiring-of-d-j-mcfarland-to-equipment-manager-post Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:59:52 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-hiring-of-d-j-mcfarland-to-equipment-manager-post WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce the hiring of DJ McFarland as the team’s new equipment manager. McFarland joins the Wild organization from a three-year stretch with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, including one season as the team’s head equipment manager. “In my interactions with the organization during my time in the ECHL as well as in the hiring process, the organization seems like a top-notch crew,” said McFarland. “The city seems like an amazing place to live, and the fans seem to love the team. I’m super excited to be joining the Wild and living in Wenatchee.” A native of Clearfield, Utah, McFarland became immersed in the hockey scene in his home state, spending two years as the Grizzlies’ assistant equipment manager before being named to the team’s top post for the 2025-26 season. He has also assisted several other nearby teams, including as a room attendant for the National Hockey League’s Utah Mammoth, equipment manager for the Weber State University club hockey team, and assisting with off-ice duties for the National Collegiate Development Conference’s Ogden Mustangs. He also helped to start the “Sticks In” program to provide hockey gear to underprivileged children in the Ogden area. McFarland brings with him existing connections to the Wild organization as well, working this past season with former captain Evan Friesen and former Wenatchee head coach John Becanic. “We are excited to have DJ on board with us,” said Wenatchee Wild general manager Bliss Littler. “He has been working in pro hockey the last three years, which has given DJ a lot of experience. I know our players will be in good hands.” McFarland’s hiring completes Wenatchee’s full-time support staff for the 2026-27 season, after the club recently announced its newest athletic trainer hiring as well. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome DJ McFarland to the Wild family.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-osborne-saab-clear-whl-waivers Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:20:36 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-osborne-saab-clear-whl-waivers WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild have announced that 2006-born forward Zane Saab and 2006-born defenseman Brandon Osborne have cleared Western Hockey League waivers for 20-year-old players, and are now free agents. Saab spent two seasons with the Wild, totaling 42 points over 128 appearances in a Wenatchee uniform. Osborne joined the club ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, compiling 13 points in 56 games this past year. Following these moves, Wenatchee has reached its allotment of three 2006-born players on its roster, who will enter their final season of junior eligibility in 2026-27. The Wenatchee Wild sincerely thank Zane Saab and Brandon Osborne for their contributions to the club, and wish them all future success on and off the ice.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-announce-hiring-of-kenna-behrens-as-teams-new-athletic-trainer Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:40:39 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wild-announce-hiring-of-kenna-behrens-as-teams-new-athletic-trainer WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are pleased to announce the hiring of Kenna Behrens as the team’s new athletic trainer. Behrens joins the Wild organization from the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon, where she has served for the past two seasons as the athletic trainer for the NCAA Division I school’s baseball team. “I am truly honored and appreciative to be able to be a part of the Wenatchee Wild hockey team,” said Behrens. “I am looking forward to living in the beautiful city of Wenatchee, and having the opportunity to work with the staff and players. I can’t wait for the season to start.” A native of Kennewick, Washington, Behrens graduated in 2020 from the University of Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science & Health, and received her master’s degree in Athletic Training there the following year. She also brings high-level competition experience of her own to the Wild, competing for three years as a multi-event athlete for the Vandals’ track and field team. She has quickly gained experience in both the athletic training and strength & conditioning fields, spending time with Division I athletic programs at both Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee before spending three seasons as an athletic trainer in the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor-league system. Last season, she added the WHL to her resume, assisting the Portland Winterhawks with the club’s strength & conditioning efforts. “Kenna comes very highly recommended,” said Wenatchee Wild general manager Bliss Littler. “We are excited to have her on staff and are looking forward to the season.” The Wild are in the process of completing their staff for the 2026-27 season, with a new equipment manager to be announced in the coming days as well. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome Kenna Behrens to the Wild family.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-acquisition-of-whl-veteran-kayden-longley-from-lethbridge-hurricanes Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:28:35 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-wild-announce-acquisition-of-whl-veteran-kayden-longley-from-lethbridge-hurricanes WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring 2006-born forward Kayden Longley from the Hurricanes in exchange for a pair of WHL Prospects Draft selections. The Hurricanes will receive Wenatchee’s third-round selection in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft originally assigned to the Brandon Wheat Kings, and the club’s fifth-round pick in the 2029 Prospects Draft. Longley is entering his fourth full season of junior competition, and brings a wealth of WHL experience and leadership to the Wild organization. The Wainwright, Alberta native has appeared in 184 WHL contests with Lethbridge and the Kelowna Rockets, appearing in 48 with the Hurricanes after a trade this past November and tallying 37 points. His final point of the 2025-26 campaign was his 100^th in WHL play. He earned a leadership role right away with his new team, serving as one of Lethbridge’s alternate captains this past year. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome Kayden Longley to the Wild family.]]> https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-defenseman-tait-named-to-hockey-canada-u18-mens-summer-training-camp Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:29:57 +0000 Austin Draude https://chl.ca/whl-wild/article/wenatchee-defenseman-tait-named-to-hockey-canada-u18-mens-summer-training-camp WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that 2009-born defenseman Boston Tait has been selected to Hockey Canada’s national Under-18 Men’s Summer Training Camp as part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence. Tait was one of just 27 players and only nine defensemen chosen to participate in the camp. A native of Estevan, Saskatchewan, Tait excelled last season with the Wild, playing his first full WHL season as a 16-year-old and picking up 23 points in 62 appearances. He was once named the circuit’s Rookie of the Week, scoring his first WHL goal on December 7 and adding three assists over a four-game week. He is also one of 25 players at the U18 Men’s Summer Training Camp who competed in last year’s World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia, ranking second in the tournament with six assists and serving as an alternate captain for eventual gold medalist Canada Red. The U18 camp is considered the second step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence, allowing players to compete against other top Canadian talent while being evaluated for inclusion on this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is considered to be one of the top preseason showcases for National Hockey League prospects in the summer prior to their draft seasons, and has been contested since 1991. This year’s U18 Men’s Summer Training Camp is set for July 27 to August 1 at NAIT Arena and Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, and will include practices and a game against Sweden on July 30. A pre-tournament game against Czechia on August 1 is also scheduled before the tournament roster is finalized. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will take place in downtown Edmonton from August 3 to 8. Canada has medaled in the tournament each of the last four years, earning three straight gold medals from 2022 to 2024. The Wenatchee Wild congratulate Boston Tait on his selection to Hockey Canada’s national Under-18 Men’s Summer Training Camp, and wish him all success in his quest to again represent Team Canada on the international stage.]]>