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Alumn-ICE Report: May 19, 2026

Austin Draude — Tue, 19 May 2026 16:51:22 +0000

Mac Carruth

A proud second-year member of the Western Hockey League, the Wenatchee Wild are continuing a celebrated WHL legacy that dates back to Edmonton, Alberta in 1996, continuing in Cranbrook, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba. These are the organization's alumni, including alumni from the Kootenay and Winnipeg ICE, who played in top-level national leagues across the world this past season.

Our American pro report will return with a playoff update next week.

WHL - 1996 to 2026

MATT ALFARO (2013-17) - Starred once again for the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite Ice Hockey League, posting 13 goals and 23 assists in 48 games in Britain's top-level pro league. He was severely impacted by a lower-body injury, bringing his season to an early end in March. Nottingham won 33 of its 54 games to take third on the 10-team circuit but dropped out of the league playoff after the quarterfinal round. However, the Panthers won the league's Challenge Cup for a record-extending ninth time. Alfaro signed a new contract on May 6, committing to return to the Panthers for 2026-27. https://twitter.com/PanthersIHC/status/2056305720962724238 MARTIN BODAK (2017-19) - Shifted to HK Poprad after two seasons with HK Dukla Michalovce, with 23 points in the Slovak Extraliga. His club won 27 games in its 50-game regular season, and reached the semifinal round before dropping a 4-1 series to eventual league champion Nitra. TIM BOZON (2013-15) - Spent his ninth pro season in Switzerland's National League, putting up 12 goals and six assists in 36 games for Geneve-Servette HC, plus two assists over eight games in the continent's Champions Hockey League competition. Geneve-Servette won 31 of its 52 games during the NL season, advancing as far as the semifinals before bowing out with a 4-1 series loss to HC Fribourg-Gottéron. However, their third-place finish in the NL standings qualified them for the 2026 Champions Hockey League competition. ADAM CRACKNELL (2002-06) - Finished in a tie for third on the Slovak Extraliga leaderboard with 58 points for HK SKP Poprad, including a league-high 35 goals. His five shorthanded goals also paced the Slovak Extraliga. Poprad won 27 games in its 50-game regular season, and reached the semifinal round before dropping a 4-1 series to eventual league champion Nitra. Cracknell signed a one-year contract extension with Poprad last month. https://twitter.com/PatoMitas/status/2043053295975928196 JAEDON DESCHENEAU (2011-16) - Moved to HK Dukla Trencin this season after helping HK Nitra advance to the Slovak Extraliga finals last season - he was one of the organization's highest-scoring international alumni this year, with 40 points in 39 games. Trencin was somewhat less successful this season, finishing with 34 losses and a spot in the Slovak relegation series - however, they were able to maintain their place in the Extraliga for the 2026-27 season. HUDSON ELYNUIK (2012-14) - Played briefly overseas this season, starting the year with five games on the HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas roster before returning to North America to suit up for the ECHL's Florida Everblades. He posted two goals and an assist in his five appearances with Mikulas, who survived the best-of-five Slovak Extraliga wild-card round before being swept by second-seeded Slovan Bratislava in the best-of-seven quarterfinal. MATT FRASER (2007-11) - Extended his run with Austrian club Klagenfurt AC in the ICEHL to a sixth season, posting 18 goals and 11 assists over 48 games, while appearing in one Champions Hockey League game - this season was Fraser's ninth straight pro campaign with at least 20 points. EC-KAC won 33 of its 48 games and finished second in the ICEHL standings, but was upset in an especially topsy-turvy playoff that saw three of the top four seeds bounced in the quarterfinal round, while 10th-place Fehervar - the very last team in the field - made it all the way to the semifinals. MARIO GRMAN (2015-16) - Returned to the KHL for a season season with Admiral Vladivostok, posting a goal and four assists in 35 appearances. After Vladivostok's narrow entry into the Gagarin Cup playoffs a year ago, Grman's club missed the field this season, finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. VALTTERI KAKKONEN (2018-19) - Returned to Poland's top league for a second season, playing 33 games for GKS Tychy and matching his 2024-25 output with four goals and 17 assists. Tychy win 27 of its 40 regular-season games to take third in the Polish standings, but repeated as the league's playoff championw with a win over Katowice in the league final. He also got his first Champions Hockey League experience, with two goals and an assist over six Champions League games. NINO KINDER (2019-20) - Played his seventh professional season in Germany, and fifth with the Fischtown Pinguins in Bremerhaven - this year, he buried eight goals and picked up six assists in 52 games, plus a goal and an assist over eight Champions Hockey League affairs. Fischtown dropped out of the Champions League after its first-round pair with top-seeded Ilves from Finland, but the Pinguins won 28 of their 52 regular-season games and dispatched Nurnberg in a two-game qualifying-round sweep. Fischtown won one of its five quarterfinal games against Adler Mannheim in the DEL quarterfinals. LUKE PHILP (2011-16) - Made his first venture into playing European pro hockey, joining Farjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League, considered by many to be the world's third-best pro league behind the NHL and KHL. His 35 points, including 13 goals, helped power Farjestad to a fifth-place finish in the SHL standings - Farjestad fell out of the postseason with a hard-fought seven-game quarterfinal series against Rogle BK. ALESSANDRO SEGAFREDO (2021-23) - Spent this season in Switzerland, splitting between the Swiss League's GCK Lions and the National League's ZSC Lions. He played in eight games with the latter team, posting a goal and an assist - ZSC finished fourth, missing Champions Hockey League qualification by a tiebreaker against Geneve-Servette and reaching the semifinals before departing in a 4-games-to-1 loss to top-seeded HC Davos. However, Segafredo has enjoyed a banner year by international standards, appearing for Italy in the Olympics and also playing for his home country in the ongoing World Championships in Switzerland. In all, he enters the week with seven goals and an assist in 13 international games this season. https://twitter.com/tuttohockey/status/2048456874991776150 PETR SENKERIK (2009-10) - Has played for two different teams in the Czech Extraliga this season, splitting time between HC Litvinov and Mountfield HK - he only picked up three assists for Mountfield in 24 games, but fared better with seven points in 19 games for Litvinov. His 2025-26 season included the best of times, and the worst of times - he posted an assist in five Champions Hockey League tilts, but also a last-place finish in the Extraliga standings and a five-game relegation series against HC Dukla Jihlava. Litvinov won four of the five games to maintain their place in the Extraliga for 2026-27. VLADISLAV SHILO (2022-23) - Shilo played his third season for Belarussian Extraleague powerhouse Yunost Minsk, cranking out six goals and 20 assists in 40 games. Yunost Minsk won 42 of its 52 regular-season games to win the Extraleague regular-season title, but dropped out of the Belarussian playoffs with a six-game loss to Metallurg Zhlobin before defeating Shakhter Soligorsk for the league's bronze medal. Shilo played 13 games during Minsk's playoff run, earning four goals and five assists. JAKIN SMALLWOOD (2017-22) - Made his professional debut this season by linking up with German club ERC Ingolstadt - his first impression was a good one, with three goals and three assists in 27 games. Ingolstadt won 33 of its 52 games to finish fifth on the league's 14-team table, but ended its season with a six-game quarterfinal loss to Red Bull Munchen. Ingolstadt did enjoy a lengthy run in the Champions Hockey League competition, reaching the quarterfinal round against Frolunda HC - Smallwood had two assists in 10 Champions League games. MAXIMILIAN STREULE (2021-23) - Played his third professional season in Switzerland, stepping into 50 games with the National League's HC Fribourg-Gottéron, and picking up 14 points. His 2025-26 season was a busy one - Fribourg-Gotteron won 37 of its 52 regular-season games to earn 100 points in the NL standings (on a three-point system), going the distance in a best-of-seven quarterfinal against the SC Rapperswil-Jona Lakers. The semifinal series against Geneve-Servette went just five games, but Fribourg-Gotteron dropped HC Davos in seven games to take the league's playoff title for the first time, also avenging their loss to Davos in the Spengler Cup invitational tournament that winter. MICHAL TEPLY (2019-20) - Spent his second season back in his native Czechia with HC Plzen, and earning seven goals and 15 assists in 40 contests. His Plzen team finished in second place in the Czech Extraliga standings, with 30 wins in 52 contests, but was upended in a thrilling seven-game quarterfinal by seventh-seeded Sparta Praha. However, Plzen did clinch a spot in the 2026-27 Champions Hockey League by virtue of its second-place Extraliga finish. RINAT VALIEV (2013-15) - Picked up 29 points, including 24 assists, for HK Almaty in the Kazakhstan Hockey Championship. Almaty won 20 of its 54 games, but did make the league's playoff field and gave regular-season and playoff champion Nomad Astana a scare with a seven-game series in the quarterfinal round.

BCHL (2015-23)

NICHOLAS CHERKOWSKI (2019-20) - Reached France's top level of the sport, playing 38 games for Aigles in the city of Nice - he played 38 games for the club, with nine goals and 15 assists. Aigles won exactly half of its 44 games in Ligue Magnus competition, ahead of a six-game loss to third-seeded Angers in the quarterfinal round of the postseason. MATT DORSEY (2017-20) - Is, oddly enough, beginning another new season this spring - Dorsey finished his third season in the SPHL with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs this past spring, and then jetted off to join the Melbourne Mustangs of the Australian Ice Hockey League. He has two goals and four assists through his first six games of the 2026 season as fall begins to shift toward winter in the Southern Hemisphere - he earned assists in his first three games in Australia before potting his first two goals Friday in a 7-4 loss to the Melbourne Ice. The AIHL ladder features 10 teams this year, with a 30-game regular season. https://twitter.com/Mustangs_Hockey/status/2055246909674344526 BRENDAN HARRIS (2013-17) - Switched to Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League after a five-year run in the American minor leagues, signing with the Nottingham Panthers for this past season. He picked up 11 goals and 21 assists in 43 games, and tacked on 11 points over 13 Challenge Cup games - Nottingham defeated Coventry in overtime in the final to win their ninth Challenge Cup, and first in a decade. Nottingham won 33 of its 54 regular-season games to take third on the 10-team circuit but dropped out of the league playoff after the quarterfinal round. KYLE MAYHEW (2016-17) - Moved to Europe for the first time after a two-year run in the AHL and ECHL, joining the Augsburger Panther roster in Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Mayhew hammered out 25 points in 49 contests for Augsburger, but the Panther only won 19 of their 52 games, missing the DEL's playoff field. DAKOTA RAABE (2014-17) - Spent four years in the American minor leagues before departing for France this season, joining Gap in Ligue Magnus - with 25 points, he was the highest-scoring American on the roster and fourth overall. However, Gap narrowly missed relegation after winning just 13 of their 44 games this past season. He had four points in the six-game relegation round, but also contributed a goal and an assist for Gap in the annual Coupe de France tournament. TYLER ROCKWELL (2014-17) - Jumped from the Manchester Storm in Britain's top-level league to the Yokohama Grits of the Asia League, making the first venture to Japan in his pro career. He fit right in with his new club, racking up nine goals and 17 assists - he was the higher-scoring of the two North American players on the roster, barely outranking former Wenatchee Wild forward Alex Rauter. Yokohama won 14 games this season, taking fifth on the six-team circuit. https://twitter.com/kocosports/status/2050922944873062422 KELE STEFFLER (2017-18) - Played exclusively in the Alps Hockey League in his eighth professional season, suiting up for 33 games with EK Zell am See and posting a goal and two assists. Zell am See won 24 of its 36 games in the Alps Hockey League regular season, taking second among the league's 13 teams, before being eliminated by eventual champion Gherdina in the semifinal round. LUKAS SVEJKOVSKY (2017-18) - Spent time with two Finnish teams in Liiga this season, starting the year with Ilves and posting six goals and six assists in 34 games. He wrapped up the year with six regular-season outings for Kiekko-Espoo, but only one assist, before adding a goal and an assist in five postseason games for Espoo. Their ninth-place finish landed them in the league's wild-card round, and their first-round series went the maximum five games, as Assat earned a 5-2 win in the decisive fifth game. Svejkovsky did make an impact in Champions Hockey League play, scoring three goals over seven appearances. A.J. VANDERBECK (2016-18) - Spent most of his third European season in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-level pro league, but did play 22 games in the Finnish Liiga for Pelicans. His production in Lahti was quite good, with 11 points in those 22 games, including seven goals - after his departure, Pelicans won its wild-card series against JYP in a three-game sweep, but dropped out of the Liiga playoffs with a five-game quarterfinal loss to KooKoo. JASPER WEATHERBY (2016-18) - After splitting last season between the Czech Extraliga's HC Dynamo Pardubice and Bílí Tygři Liberec, he stayed the full season with Liberec and picked up 20 points in 52 games. Liberec won 28 of its 52 games during the Extraliga's regular season, but saw its season end in a seven-game quarterfinal upset against Karlovy Vary. COOPER ZECH (2017-18) - Returned to Britain in his seventh professional season, joining the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League, posting 21 points over 51 regular-season appearances. He added five points in 14 Challenge Cup games, as Nottingham clinched its first Champions Cup title in a decade, and picked up a goal and an assist in three IIHF Continental Cup games as Nottingham brought the Cup back to Britain for the second straight year.

NAHL (2008-15)

EVAN MOSEY (2008-09) - Has spent 10 of his 13 professional seasons in Britain's Elite Ice Hockey League, and five of those years with the Cardiff Devils -Mosey played in 53 of Cardiff's 54 regular-season games this year, posting only one goal but racking up 24 assists, plus two more points in eight Challenge Cup games. Mosey also had a goal and an assist in four EIHL playoff games, as the Devils earned a 5-2 win over the Sheffield Steelers in the EIHL final to earn their eighth overall British playoff championship. The club announced earlier today that Mosey would be returning to Cardiff for another season in 2026-27. https://twitter.com/EIHLFaceOff/status/2056771663497142632 ALEX RAUTER (2013-14) - Spent his fourth season in the Asia League with the Yokohama Grits, picking up 10 goals and 15 assists in just 17 appearances. His 25 points placed him one behind former Wild standout Tyler Rockwell for the most points on the team by a North American player. Yokohama won 14 games this season, taking fifth on the six-team circuit. PARKER TUOMIE (2013-14) - Returned to Cologne, Germany for his sixth professional season, all spent in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He rolled up 19 points in 34 games for Kolner Haie, including six goals for the DEL's regular-season champion. He made only eight playoff appearances for Kolner, who was shocked by sixth-seeded Eisbaren Berlin in a six-game semifinal series. He has spent plenty of time wearing his country's colors as well, playing three games for the Germans at the Milan Olympics this past February, and is three games into his run at the World Championships in Switzerland. Tuomie signed earlier this month with the Fischtown Pinguins, returning to his hometown professional club in Bremerhaven for 2026-27. https://twitter.com/eishockey_mag/status/2053121979364848061 MAC CARRUTH (2008-10) - Spent his 13th professional season in new territory this season, moving to Ligue Magnus and anchoring the net for Rouen. He earned 23 of the club's 34 wins, leading the circuit, while also posting the fourth-best marks of a 2.04 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Rouen eliminated Amiens in six games in the league's quarterfinal series, but was knocked out by Bordeaux in a four-game semifinal sweep. https://twitter.com/DragonsdeRouen/status/2022320516845973584

Wild Sign Second Overall WHL Draft Selection McMillan to Scholarship & Development Agreement

Austin Draude — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:34:21 +0000

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that 2011-born forward Parker McMillan has signed a Scholarship & Development Agreement with the organization. A native of Surrey, British Columbia, McMillan comes to the Wenatchee Valley from Yale Hockey Academy of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. “The people here are amazing, and the staff are very welcoming,” said McMillan. “It’s been a really easy decision for me. Bliss (Littler) and Leigh (Mendelson) have been really straightforward with me about what they want, and having the support that they’ve given me makes me more confident in my development moving forward. I’ve always been a guy who likes to lead by example, whether I’m playing with older guys or guys my age.” McMillan comes to the Wild organization off a standout Under-15 Prep season in the CSSHL, in which he piled up 41 goals and 50 assists over just 25 regular-season games before cranking out 10 more points in three games during the league’s Western Championships in Penticton, British Columbia. The Surrey, British Columbia product fit right in during limited appearances with Yale Hockey Academy’s U18 Prep team as well, with a goal and an assist in four regular-season outings, and three points in two postseason games. McMillan’s efforts were well-recognized by the CSSHL, earning the division’s Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. It was his second straight year earning CSSHL hardware, after landing a spot on last season’s U15 Prep Rookie All-Star team for its British Columbia and United States-based members. The second overall selection in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, McMillan is the first player from last week’s draft class to sign with the Wild. His selection in the draft and signing with the club mark a major milestone for the Wenatchee organization, after McMillan became the WHL franchise’s highest draft pick since its first spring in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2019 – that year, the former Winnipeg ICE selected current National Hockey League forwards Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie with the first and second overall picks in the WHL Prospects Draft. The Wenatchee Wild congratulate Parker McMillan on signing his Scholarship & Development Agreement with the club, and proudly welcome him to the Wild family.

Alumn-ICE Report: May 14, 2026

Austin Draude — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:26:20 +0000

(Next week’s Alumn-ICE report will focus on former Wild and ICE standouts in top-level national pro hockey leagues around the world – our American pro report will return with a playoff update in two weeks.)

A proud third-year member of the Western Hockey League, the Wenatchee Wild are continuing a celebrated WHL legacy that dates back to Edmonton, Alberta in 1996, continuing in Cranbrook, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba. These are the organization’s WHL alumni, including alumni from the Kootenay and Winnipeg ICE, making news as the American pro hockey playoffs continue:

NHL

ZACH BENSON, 2020-23 has impressed throughout the playoffs, racking up points in four of his five games so far in the month of May. His goal and assist on May 1 helped wipe out the Boston Bruins in the sixth game of their series, before posting a pair of helpers in the opening game of Buffalo's second-round game against the Montreal Canadiens. He added a goal in Game 2 of the series, but his Game 4 goal was a highlight - his third-period goal at the front of the net came on the power play and counted as the game-winner in a 3-2 victory Tuesday, putting a cap on Benson's 21st birthday. PEYTON KREBS, 2016-21 has appeared in all four games of the Montreal series, but has been held without a point over the four games so far. With the series tied 2-2, the Sabres and Habs shift back to Buffalo Thursday for Game 5. https://twitter.com/NHL/status/2054375541214421267 MATT SAVOIE, 2019-24 - Finished the Edmonton Oilers' six-game first-round series loss to the Anaheim Ducks with one assist, registered in Game 2. BRAYDEN McNABB, 2006-11 - Notched in assist in the Vegas Golden Knights' final game of their first-round series against the Utah Mammoth, and posted a shorthanded goal and a +3 mark last Friday in Vegas's 6-2 Game 3 rout of the Anaheim Ducks. The Golden Knights are on the verge of returning to the Western Conference Final, with a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 Thursday. CONOR GEEKIE, 2019-24 - Played just over five minutes on April 29 in a 3-2 Tampa Bay Lightning loss to the Montreal Canadiens - Geekie played in two games of the series, which saw Montreal eliminate Tampa Bay in seven games.

ICE/Wild WHL Alumni Remaining in the NHL Playoffs Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs (BUF); Brayden McNabb (VGK)

AHL

DAWSON BARTEAUX, 2019-20 - Played in Game 4 of the Manitoba Moose second-round playoff series against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Manitoba was eliminated in the best-of-five set, 3-1. NOAH PHILP, 2015-17 - Scored goals in both Game 3 and Game 4 of the Chicago Wolves' division semifinal series against the Texas Stars, tallying just 5:08 into Chicago's 2-1 victory in Game 3 before scoring Chicago's last goal the following night in a 5-4 overtime loss. Manitoba was eliminated in the best-of-five set, 3-1. The Wolves demolished Texas 6-1 in Game 5, sending them on to a best-of-five Central Division final against the Grand Rapids Griffins, set to begin Thursday in Grand Rapids. KENTA ISOGAI, 2023-25 - Played in the last four games of a best-of-five Ontario Reign division semifinal loss to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, with assists in all of the last three games. All three of his assists came on go-ahead or game-tying goals.

ICE/Wild WHL Alumni Remaining in the AHL Playoffs Noah Philp (Chicago)

ECHL

HUDSON ELYNUIK, 2013-14 - Appeared in all four games of the Florida Everblades' best-of-seven division semifinal sweep of the Savannah Ghost Pirates, and opened the Everblades' South Division Final against the South Carolina Stingrays with a power play goal and an assist in last Friday and Saturday's Game 1 and Game 2 victories. Florida walloped South Carolina Wednesday, 7-3, sending them to within a win of the ECHL's Eastern Conference Final. BRAYDEN EDWARDS, 2021-22 - Earned an assist in the Wheeling Nailers' 2-0 win over the Reading Royals in Game 3 of their North Division semifinal round, a 4-1 series victory for Wheeling. He has points in all five division final games so far against the Maine Mariners, including the game-winner Saturday in Wheeling's 4-1 Game 2 victory. He had a goal and an assist in Game 5 on Wednesday, but the Mariners scored a 5-3 victory to move within a win of the Eastern Conference Final. https://twitter.com/WheelingNailers/status/2054733001183908274 REECE HARSCH, 2019-20 - Played in all five games of the Fort Wayne Komets' five-game Central Division series win against the Indy Fuel, and has played in both games of the Komets' division final series against the Toledo Walleye. Fort Wayne leads the series 2-0, with a chance to close it out Friday or Saturday in Toledo. CAM HAUSINGER, 2017-19 - Fired off five shots in Game 6 of the Toledo Walleye Central Division semifinal series against the Bloomington Bison, the final game of the series - he has appeared in both games of Toledo's Central Division final set against the Fort Wayne Komets, with the series set to continue Thursday in Fort Wayne. MICHAEL MILNE, 2018-22 had a goal in that clinching Game 6 against Bloomington, and continues to hunt for his first point of the series against Fort Wayne.

ICE/Wild WHL Alumni Remaining in the ECHL Playoffs Hudson Elynuik (Florida); Brayden Edwards (Wheeling); Reece Harsch (Fort Wayne); Cam Hausinger, Michael Milne (Toledo)

Also on Wenatchee's alumni list are the standouts from its Junior A era (2008-2023) - these players laid the foundation for the WHL's future success in the Wenatchee Valley. These are Wenatchee's Junior A alumni who are making news in American pro hockey this month: NIC DOWD, 2008-09 - Has been a regular in the lineup in both the Vegas Golden Knights' first-round playoff series against Utah and its Western Conference Semifinal series against the Anaheim Ducks, but has been held off the stat sheet since Game 3 on April 24 against Utah. The Golden Knights are on the verge of returning to the Western Conference Final, with a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 Thursday. BRYAN YOON, 2015-16 - Made his Colorado Eagles 2026 Calder Cup playoff debut Wednesday in the Eagles' 3-0 shutout of the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The best-of-five series continues with Game 2 Friday in California before shifting to Fort Collins Sunday. CHARLIE COMBS, 2015-17 - Scored a power play goal in the South Carolina Stingrays' double-overtime Game 5 win over the Atlanta Gladiators, before the Stingrays closed out Atlanta in Game 6 of the series. He returned to the stat sheet with an assist Wednesday in South Carolina's 7-3 loss to the Florida Everblades, who can close out the series Friday in Charleston. SETH EISELE, 2017-18 made his 2026 Kelly Cup playoff debut Wednesday, allowing two goals on 14 shots in a relief effort. LUCAS SOWDER, 2016-19 - Scored on three of his four shots on goal in the Kansas City Mavericks' four-game Mountain Division semifinal sweep of the Tahoe Knight Monsters, and has assists in two of Kansas City's three division final games against the Allen Americans. Kansas City is a game away from a division title, with Game 4 set for Saturday in Texas.

Wenatchee Junior “A” Alumni Remaining in the Playoffs Nic Dowd (Vegas, NHL); Bryan Yoon (Colorado, AHL); Seth Eisele, Charlie Combs (South Carolina, ECHL); Lucas Sowder (Kansas City, ECHL)

Wenatchee Wild / KW3 Draft Wrap-Up Q&A

Austin Draude — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:54:06 +0000

(Reposted Courtesy of John Connor, KW3 / Townsquare Media Wenatchee)

The Wenatchee Wild recently sent shockwaves through the league with a series of aggressive trades to climb the board in the WHL Prospects Draft. While the move to secure the second- and fifth-overall picks has sparked a heated debate among the fan base over the "price of admission," it also signals a bold vision for the franchise's future. Joining us today to discuss the strategy behind these high-stakes moves is Wild General Manager Bliss Littler. Bliss, let’s dive right in. Connor: Bliss, you made two massive moves to secure Parker McMillan and Jevin Morrison, giving up high-round picks as far out as 2030. When you’re looking at the long-term health of the roster, what was it about these two specific players that convinced you the 'price of admission' was worth potentially thinning out our draft capital in the future? Bliss Littler: We have worked very hard to restock the cupboard that was empty when David White bought the Winnipeg Ice. We feel that with the 2009 and 2010 drafts, we have put ourselves in a really good position to be a very good team in the not-too-distant future. We felt that Parker McMillan was our first overall choice in the entire draft. We wanted to move up to get him. We feel that he will be a Conor Geekie, Matt Savoie, and Zach Benson-quality pick. We also felt that Jevin Morrison was the top defenseman for us, so we wanted to not only add one of the top forwards, but we also thought it was important to make a play to get involved to be able to draft a player such as Jevin Morrison. We think both of these players will have an opportunity to be high 1st round NHL draft picks. We also have a 1st, two 2nds, a 3rd, 2 4ths, and three 6th-round draft picks in 2027. In 2028, we have all of our top four picks. In 2029, we have all of our first 6 picks but not our 3rd. In 2030, we have all of our picks (except) our first. We have four years to get that pick back. Connor: So, how do you respond to the naysayers who think you gave up too much for the two first-round picks? Bliss Littler: We had multiple 1st rd picks in the 2027 draft, and multiple 2nd rd picks in 27, 28, and 29. So we felt that by stockpiling these picks over the last three years that we would still have the majority of our picks moving forward. Connor: It’s rare to see a team grab three players from the same U15 program in one draft, as you did with Jevin Morrison, Luke Pierson, and Finn Visser from the Red Deer Rebels. In a league where prospects often come from all over North America, how much of a strategic advantage is it to have a core group that already possesses high-level chemistry before they even step into the Town Toyota Center? Bliss Littler: We were drafting what we felt was the best player available at the time. It is a bonus that those three players came from the same very successful program. We hope that there is a bonus, that there is chemistry, and a lot of good habits that they have coming out of that program. Connor: The Wild selected three American-born players this year from Minnesota, Arizona, and North Dakota—including Aidan Grabner, who comes from an NHL pedigree. How does our location in Wenatchee change your scouting philosophy compared to other WHL teams when it comes to recruiting and retaining top-tier talent from this side of the border? Bliss Littler: I think now that CHL players can play NCAA hockey, that the American market is huge for every team in the CHL. It has opened up many high-end players that would not have chosen the CHL before the NCAA opened up to CHL players. We do place a significant amount of time and resources on the American players. Bliss Littler: Right now, we have all three of our import picks returning and may not take a player in the import draft. We will have to see what transpires in the next six weeks to see if one is not coming back.

Alumn-ICE Report: May 11, 2026

Austin Draude — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:34:33 +0000

Today's Wenatchee Wild family is a blended family - players from both the club's WHL lineage dating to 1996 in Edmonton, Alberta and the team's Junior "A" history here in the Wenatchee Valley, are considered to be part of the #WildFamily. This week's Alumn-ICE Report focuses on the former Wild and ICE standouts who played NCAA hockey in the United States and USports hockey in Canada this past season. Canadian Hockey League players were granted NCAA Division I eligibility in November 2024, making this the first season that WHL players have also populated the NCAA list.

Our American pro report will return with a playoff update later this week.

DIVISION I

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE - Tye Spencer (WHL, 2024-25) headed to the Last Frontier for his first collegiate season, and made an impact with 13 points - including eight goals - in 32 games with the Seawolves. Spencer highlighted his season with goals in back-to-back-to-back games in November, but Alaska-Anchorage ended the year with a 5-27-1 mark. ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - Brasen Boser (2021-22) only appeared in 30 games this past season, but matched his 2024-25 output with two goals and five assists. Ty Nash (WHL, 2022-23) made his NCAA debut after spending last season in the USports ranks, picking up five goals and five assists in 31 games. The Sun Devils closed out the season with a 14-21-1 mark, bowing out with a pair of losses at eventual national champion Denver on the last weekend of February. ARMY - After having the Ivey twins (2021-22) tag-teaming last season, the Black Knights also enjoyed the services of one of the two former Wenatchee Wild BCHL players to also suit up for the team in the WHL. Jack spent his sophomore season cranking out 14 goals and 14 assists to surpass his freshman mark from last season and earn an All-Atlantic Hockey nod, after being named to the AHA's All-Rookie team a year ago. His 28 points, 14 goals and seven power play tallies all paced the Black Knights roster. Ben wasn't far behind with 24 points of his own, highlighting his season with three-point games in February against RIT and Air Force. Defenseman Lukas McCloskey (BCHL, 2022-23; WHL, 2024-25) made his much-anticipated NCAA debut, scoring a power play goal in his opening game October 4 in a 1-1 tie against Union. He ended the year with seven points, including a pair of goals. Army ended the season at 12-17-6, after a gritty first-round Atlantic Hockey tournament battle against Niagara. AUGUSTANA - The third-year Division I program had two Wild alumni on its roster again this season, picking up 22 wins behind the efforts of Owen Bohn (2019-20, 2021-22) with seven goals and 11 assists, and Ben Troumbly (2021-22) notching three goals and five assists in his senior season. The Vikings have climbed every year of their brief existence, posting 18 wins last season, and 12 in their inaugural campaign in 2023-24. BEMIDJI STATE - Counted Connor McClennon (WHL, 2017-23) among its first CHL alumni on the roster, with 11 goals and seven assists in 36 outings. His four-goal game November 21 against Northern Michigan tied a school record and earned him a CCHA Forward of the Week honor. The Beavers finished their season at 13-19-4, dropping back-to-back Mason Cup playoff games to Augustana. BOWLING GREEN - Quinn Emerson (2019-20, 2021-22) rounded out his career with the Falcons in style, appearing in all 36 of Bowling Green's games and notching a team-best 33 points. He was also nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, representing BGSU in the initial round of balloting. BGSU dropped its quarterfinal CCHA series against Michigan Tech, but finished 18-11-7, flipping three losses from 2024-25 into ties in the final standings. https://twitter.com/BGSU_Athletics/status/2047112526962294846 BROWN - Tyler Shea (2021-22) became the Bears' go-to netminder in 2025-26, winning just three games despite a more-than-respectable 3.26 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Scoring came in fits and starts for Brown in a five-win season, in a year where the team scored more than three goals on just five occasions and won four of those games. CORNELL - Had one Wild alumnus on the roster, with Parker Murray (2021-23) suiting up in nine games. The Big Red received an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, but fell out in the first round with a 5-0 loss to Denver, closing out a 22-11-1 campaign. DARTMOUTH - Finally got to see Jason Stefanek (2022-23) in action after three years in the BCHL, including two years in the Trail Smoke Eaters program - he put up a dozen points, including three assists over his first two collegiate games against Stonehill and Yale. His first NCAA goal came in a 7-2 win against Vermont in a Thanksgiving weekend contest. The Big Green carried an ECAC title into the NCAA tournament before falling to eventual runner-up Wisconsin 5-1 in the first round, and closing their season with 23 wins. HARVARD - Two-year Wild alumnus David Hejduk (2021-23) was limited to a single appearance, stepping into the lineup against Quinnipiac on February 28. The Crimson fell in three games to Cornell in their ECAC quarterfinal series, ending the year at .500 with a 16-16-2 record. LONG ISLAND - Saw Trevor Griebel (2018-20) join the program from Merrimack College and got 20 points from the senior blueliner. The LIU Sharks finished with a 14-18-1 mark, taking third place in the United Collegiate Hockey Cup, a de facto "conference championship" tournament among the five independent NCAA Division I hockey schools. Griebel totaled four assists on the weekend, notching at least one helper in all three games. He followed his senior year with a late-season pro stint with the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL, posting five points over 15 regular-season appearances. MERRIMACK - Luke Weilandt (2022-23) wrapped up his college career at the end of the fall semester, appearing in eight games for the Warriors before departing to join Deggendorfer SC in Germany's third-tier professional league. The Warriors won 21 games before being dispatched by second overall seed North Dakota in the first round of the NCAA tournament. MICHIGAN TECH - Was a rarity on the Wild and ICE alumni list, with two WHL alumni on the roster but no Wild alumni from the club's BCHL days. Reid Andresen (WHL, 2024-25) played in 35 games and posted a dozen points, including nine assists, while Carson Latimer (WHL, 2022-23) played in 31 games with eight points, including six goals. Michigan Tech reached the CCHA semifinals, but ultimately ended its season with a 23-13-3 mark. MINNESOTA STATE - Took in Ean Somoza (2021-23) after his transfer from Western Michigan and penciled him in for 25 games, with Somoza posting eight goals and 10 assists. He would score his first college goal December 13 in a tie against Augustana, and score two more against the Vikings six weeks later. NORTH DAKOTA - Had two former Wild standouts in action as Cade Littler (2019-20, 2021-23) and Tyler Young (2019-20) both helped UND reach the Frozen Four against eventual runner-up Wisconsin, finishing the season with 29 wins. Littler and Young finished with similar numbers, with Littler posting five goals and eight assists, and Young notching five goals and seven helpers. https://twitter.com/MidcoSports/status/2001110095422505180 NORTHEASTERN - Noah Jones (2022-23) made his NCAA debut this season after spending the last two seasons with the USHL's Omaha Lancers, suiting up in 29 games and delivering three points for the Huskies. Northeastern closed its season with 17 wins and a Hockey East quarterfinal loss to UMass. QUINNIPIAC - Graham Sward (2022-24) made the move from the minor leagues for this season and didn't miss a beat, picking up 14 points over 36 appearances for the Bobcats. Quinnipiac made its annual run to the NCAA tournament before departing with a 5-0 loss to North Dakota in the regional final and posting a final record of 27-10-3. R.I.T. - Iced Caleb Elfering (2022-23) for 36 games, with eight goals and seven assists from the Richland, Washington native. He was named Atlantic Hockey's Rookie of the Week for the last week of October, followed shortly after by a Rookie of the Month honor from the conference. RIT ended its season 17-17-2, dropping a pair of overtime games to Holy Cross in the opening round of the Atlantic Hockey tournament. SACRED HEART - Received transfer Ethan Wolthers (2019-20) from national champion Western Michigan, wrapping up his NCAA tenure with 38 appearances and nine points, including four goals. The Pioneers finished with 23 wins, and narrowly missed the NCAA tournament after an Atlantic Hockey championship loss to Bentley. UCONN - Huston Karpman (2019-20) played in 12 games for the Huskies as a senior, helping them to a 20-win season and a one-goal loss to Michigan State in their second-ever NCAA tournament. Brendan Dunphy (WHL, 2024-25) joined the club after being selected in the seventh round of the NHL Draft, and picked up a pair of goals and four assists over 37 appearances. WESTERN MICHIGAN - Didn't get quite as far as last year's national championship squad, but got plenty of help from redshirt sophomore Garrett Szydlowski (2021-23), who picked up three goals and eight assists in 39 appearances. This year's group finished with 27 wins and advanced to an NCAA regional final against Denver. WISCONSIN - Was the last team standing with a Wild or ICE alumnus on the roster - Daniel Hauser (WHL, 2020-25) finished his freshman season of collegiate play with a 21-8-2 record, allowing just 2.49 goals per game. His three shutouts tied the Badgers' freshman record and his 21 wins ranked fifth nationwide - Wisconsin finished 24-13-2, reaching the NCAA championship game and narrowly missing out on its first national title in two decades. https://twitter.com/WisconsinVideo/status/2043116363812675819

DIVISION III

AUGSBURG - Again had a trio of Wenatchee alumni on the roster, starting with Landon Parker (2021-22), who finished with nine goals and 11 assists in just 15 games. Cade Stibbe (2021-22) had six points in 23 games, and Mario Gasparini (2021-23) registered two assists in 16 games, as Augsburg ended its season at 7-15-3 for the year. BETHEL - Austin Ryman (2017-18) played his fourth and final season of NCAA hockey, notching 10 wins against six losses for the Royals. He ran off victories in three of his final four decisions as a Royal, leading the school to a 14-12-1 finish and a spot in the MIAC semifinals. CHATHAM - True Crowe (2019-20) played but one game for the Wild, but finished with 25 appearances this year and picked up 19 points for the Cougars, including seven in his first four games of the year. Chatham finished 20-6-1 this season and reached the UCHC semifinals, while Crowe would go on to play his first three professional games and earn two assists for the ECHL's Greensboro Gargoyles. COLBY - Lucas Marshall (2022-23) opened his collegiate career with an assist in 10 games. Colby would end its season with a 10-12-1 mark. ENDICOTT - Featured a pair of Wild alumni, as Anthony Cafarelli (2021-22) and Hudson Blue (2021-22) both suited up for the Gulls this past season. Cafarelli finished with a solid 12 goals and three assists, while Blue posted a goal and four assists. Endicott ended its season at 21-4-3, reaching the NCAA quarterfinals before dropping a double-overtime decision to Aurora. HAMILTON - Alex Danis (2021-22) represented the Wild with five goals and six assists for the NCAA Division III national champs. The Continentals topped even their NESCAC title and NCAA Division III quarterfinal finish from a year ago, going 23-5-2 and turning away Hobart in overtime to win the NCAA Division III tournament. HOBART - Came within a whisper of a national championship, thanks in large part to the efforts of Arvega Hovsepyan (2022-23), who rattled off 43 points in 31 games. His 32 assists tied the school record, and earned him a spot on the SUNYAC All-Conference First Team. The Statesmen were 30-1-0, narrowly denied an unbeaten season and fourth straight Division III title. https://twitter.com/HWSAthletics/status/2000010830478471332 LAKE FOREST - Andrew Nieusma (2018-20) made 27 appearances for the Foresters, finishing with seven points. The Foresters finished their season with six wins, and dropped their two NCHA Harris Cup playoff games against fourth-ranked Adrian College. LAWRENCE - Michael Valdez (2022-23) opened his NCAA career with 12 appearances and three assists, with two coming in a February outing at the University of Dubuque. The Vikings closed out their season with six wins. MANHATTANVILLE - Ryan McKenna (2021-22) was a regular again in the lineup, playing in 25 games with a goal and nine assists, and helping the Valiants to a 4-20-1 finish. McKenna is a two-sport athlete at Manhattanville, also factoring regularly into the Valiants' golf results. MSOE - Riley Ott (2019-20) made his return to the lineup for the Raiders, with career highs in games (17) and points (4). Milwaukee School of Engineering ended its season with a 10-14-3 record, taking a pair of losses to Aurora in the NCHA's Harris Cup playoffs. TRINITY - Jakob Karpa (2021-22) notched nine points in 24 games for the Bantams, while Weston Turner (2021-22) posted six points over 21 games. Trinity would close its season with a 12-11-1 mark. TUFTS - Jonathan Horn (2022-23) played his second year in the Division III ranks this season, and hammered out nine points in just 13 contests, with an injury sidelining him after a dozen appearances. He did open the campaign with a goal in back-to-back wins against Wesleyan and Trinity, as Tufts finished the season as NESCAC quarterfinalists with a 12-12-1 record UNIV. OF NEW ENGLAND - Jayden Price (2021-22) closed out his NCAA career at New England with a 12-point season, notching points in four of his first five games. The Nor'Easters went 21-7-0 to lock down another spot in the NCAA tournament, their fourth appearance in the national tournament in five years and eighth consecutive full season with 17 or more wins. WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT - The Pointers had two former Wenatchee players in the dressing room this season, as Nico Chmelevski (2019-20) racked up 26 points in 22 games for the Pointers. In a 17-game stretch from Veterans' Day up to February 6, Chmelevski missed out on an appearance on the score sheet just twice. Hunter Hastings (2018-20, 2021-22) came to the program from Division I Stonehill College and earned two assists. UWSP had an uncharacteristic finish with just 12 wins, snapping a run of four straight with 19 or more victories.

USports

CARLETON - Blake Allan (WHL, 2017-19) tied a career-high with 28 appearances for the Ravens, picking up six points - he closed his season with points in three straight games. Carleton closed out its season with a record of 11-17. MOUNT ROYAL - Mike Ladyman (WHL, 2019-21) suited up for 34 games for the Cougars, with five points and helping MRU reach the University Cup tournament for the second straight year with a 22-10-2 record. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA - A new former ICE standout stepped in for Alberta after its three former Winnipeg stars all departed following the 2024-25 campaign. Owen Pederson (WHL, 2018-23) returned from a two-year stretch in the minor leagues to register 26 appearances and 19 points for the Golden Bears, including three points in the opening weekend against MacEwan. Alberta finished its season with a record of 14-23, and was swept by the University of Saskatchewan in the Canada West quarterfinals. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - Cyle McNabb (WHL, 2018-19) and James Form (WHL, 2018-22) returned from a 25-win UBC team the previous year - McNabb tied a career high with 28 points in 26 appearances, including an eight-game point streak in October and November. Form tallied eight points in 23 appearances, as the Thunderbirds put together a 27-6 finish and an appearance in the Canada West semifinals against Saskatchewan. UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY - Wyatt Wilson (WHL, 2022-23) jumped back into the collegiate mix with nine assists in 31 games for the Dinos, who finished 27-12-1 on the season. UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA - The Bisons were led by a pair of former ICE skaters, starting with Skyler Bruce (WHL, 2018-23), who hammered out 24 points in 27 games, including five multi-point outings. Michael King (WHL, 2016-18) set a new career mark with 29 appearances, picking up four points on the year. Manitoba finished its season with a 12-16 record. UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA - Anson McMaster (WHL, 2018-22) stepped into action in all 28 games for Ottawa, posting a goal and four assists. The Gee-Gees took home a 16-12 record for the season. UNIVERSITY OF REGINA - Jaren Brinson (WHL, 2022-23) stepped onto the USports ice for the first time, and finished with three assists in 21 games of Canada West action. Regina wrapped up its season with a 6-22 mark for the season. UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN - Once again saw a pair of former WHL skaters contribute, starting with Chase Bertholet's (WHL, 2019-22) 11 goals and 10 assists over 29 appearances. Karter Prosofsky (WHL, 2018-24) came back to North America briefly after a one-year spell in the Alps Hockey League and contributed two assists in six games. Saskatchewan's 31-9-5 final record included another Canada West championship and a quarterfinal berth in the USports University Cup. WINDSOR - Salvatore Collora (Wild, 2021-22) finished his second season of Canadian college hockey with 17 appearances, picking up a goal and an assist. The Lancers finished the season at 24-14, taking fourth in the USports U Cup national championship tournament.

Wenatchee Wild Forward Grossklaus Announces NCAA Division I Commitment to St. Thomas

Austin Draude — Mon, 11 May 2026 22:01:33 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS – The Wenatchee Wild, proud members of the Western Hockey League (WHL), are excited to announce that 2007-born forward Aiden Grossklaus has committed to continue his hockey career at St. Thomas University for the 2026-27 season. St. Thomas is an NCAA Division I institution and member of the National College Hockey Conference (NCHC). After suiting up for the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in his 17-year-old season, the Woodbury, Minnesota product took his game to a new level with the Wild in 2025-26, posting 17 goals and 17 assists in 64 WHL appearances. His 34 points in a Wild uniform ranked fourth this past year, with the best plus/minus mark among the club’s top five scorers. His efforts this past season did not go unnoticed by his peers in the Wenatchee dressing room, who voted him the team’s Forward of the Year. “I’m beyond grateful to announce my commitment to play Division 1 hockey at the University of St. Thomas,” said Grossklaus in a social media post declaring his decision to play for the Tommies. “Thank you to God, my parents and my advisor.” The St. Thomas athletic program has navigated a great deal of change in recent years, becoming the first athletic program ever to move directly from NCAA Division III competition to NCAA Division I after leaving the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2021. The Tommies men’s hockey team enjoyed its first season of full Division I eligibility this past season, and reached the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) championship for the second straight year. The men’s hockey program will move to the NCHC ahead of the upcoming season. St. Thomas has a lengthy history of success in college hockey, appearing in 17 NCAA tournaments with two Division III Frozen Four appearances, and an alumni list headlined by 13-year NHL veteran and two-time Stanley Cup champion Elwin Romnes. Grossklaus says he is likely to pursue a business marketing management degree when he begins attending St. Thomas this fall, and he becomes the eighth player to announce an NCAA Division I commitment while with the organization since Canadian Hockey League players were granted NCAA eligibility in November of 2024. The Wenatchee Wild congratulate Aiden Grossklaus on his commitment to the NCAA Division I hockey program at St. Thomas University, and wish him all further success as his college hockey career begins.

Wenatchee Wild Complete Selections in Western Hockey League Prospects Draft

Austin Draude — Thu, 07 May 2026 22:11:30 +0000

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild are pleased to announce the selection of nine players in the 2026 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, held Wednesday afternoon and continuing Thursday morning. Thursday’s selections complete the WHL draft sequence, with the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft scheduled later this summer. The Wild made two selections early in Wednesday’s first round, taking Yale Hockey Academy forward Parker McMillan with the second overall pick, followed by Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA defenseman Jevin Morrison at fifth overall. McMillan piled up 91 points, including 41 goals, in just 25 appearances for Yale Hockey Academy during the Canadian Sport School Hockey League season. He added 10 more points in three CSSHL postseason contests. Morrison hammered out 64 points in 24 regular-season Alberta Elite Hockey League games, and led his team to the province’s Under-15 final. The draft continued Thursday with the second and subsequent rounds – Wenatchee’s selections on the draft’s second day included: ROUND 3, PICK 54 – LUKE PIERSON (RD – Bashaw, Alberta – Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA) Much like the player who preceded him on Wenatchee’s draft board Wednesday afternoon, Pierson was a standout on the blue line for Red Deer’s U15 team, rolling up 43 points in 34 regular-season games as one of the Rebels’ alternate captains. He was at his best against the AEHL’s best in the postseason, with two goals and an assist against Lethbridge in the provincial tournament opener, and an early power play goal in the final against the Golden Hawks. ROUND 4, PICK 91 – FINN VISSER (RW – Olds, Alberta – Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA) One round later, Visser became the third Red Deer U15 AAA player off the draft board to Wenatchee – he joins the Wild organization following a 32-game season in which he posted 32 goals and 33 assists. His two-point-per-game campaign in the AEHL ranks was highlighted by 17 multi-point showings, including an incredible four games of six points apiece, plus another five-point outing. Eight of his goals this season for the Rebels were game-winners. ROUND 4, PICK 92 – GRAHAM SCHUMACHER (RW – Cottage Grove, Minnesota – Minnesota Moose 14U AAA) The first American-born player selected by the Wild had himself a solid season in the Minnesota AAA ranks, notching 17 points in 12 games as part of Minnesota’s High Performance Tier I League this past year. He also had a standout season in the Minnesota bantam ranks, posting more than a point a game for Cottage Grove’s AA program. ROUND 5, PICK 101 – AIDAN GRABNER (RW – Scottsdale, Arizona – Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA) Wenatchee’s next selection comes from the Phoenix metro, and played both his 13-Only and 14-and-Under AAA seasons with the Jr. Coyotes. Grabner comes to the Wild organization with a strong hockey background – his father, Michael, played three Western Hockey League seasons for the Spokane Chiefs before embarking on a 13-year professional career, including 640 NHL games. ROUND 7, PICK 145 – BRAYDEN ALLAN (G – Delta, British Columbia – Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep) The first goaltender taken by the Wild, Allan was a CSSHL standout this past season, finishing with a 12-1-2 record for Delta Hockey Academy, as well as a 2.65 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage. He ended his season on an eight-game winning streak, including a 40-save effort in a February victory over Northern Alberta Xtreme. ROUND 8, PICK 169 – BEN EDVINSSON (LW – Agassiz, British Columbia – Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U15 AAA) Edvinsson comes from the British Columbia provincial ranks, with a strong showing in his first B.C. Elite Hockey League season – his 33 regular-season points and nine postseason points both ranked fourth on this year’s Thunderbirds roster. Those points often came in bunches as well, with 11 multi-point games during the BCEHL U15 regular season. ROUND 9, PICK 188 – JACKSON FABIAN (LD – Grand Forks, North Dakota – Team North Dakota 14U AAA) The Wild selected Fabian with their last pick of the draft, returning to the back end once more – Fabian played 25 games for Team North Dakota this past season, including 12 in Minnesota’s High Performance Tier I League. He gained championship tournament experience at both the state and national levels this past year, playing in the USA Hockey 14U national tournament with Team North Dakota and helping his Grand Forks bantam AA team earn a state championship. One more draft is on the schedule for WHL clubs, as the Canadian Hockey League hosts its annual Import Draft in early July.

Wild Announce Trade with Swift Current Broncos

Austin Draude — Thu, 07 May 2026 14:58:47 +0000

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL), acquiring a fifth-round selection in today’s WHL Prospects Draft and a third-round selection in the 2027 WHL Prospects Draft, in exchange for 2007-born goaltender Cal Conway. Wenatchee’s newly-acquired fifth-round pick was previously assigned to the Victoria Royals, while the 2027 third-round pick originally belonged to the Brandon Wheat Kings. A native of Andover, Minnesota, Conway played his debut WHL season this past year, one season removed from an appearance in the Minnesota state high school championship game with the Stillwater High School Ponies last March. The pick acquired by Wenatchee for today’s second day of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft will be the 101^st overall pick, originally assigned to , and the club’s sixth selection in the first five rounds of the draft. The Wenatchee Wild sincerely thank Cal Conway for his contributions this past season, and wish him all further success in his career.

Wenatchee Wild Make Pair of Selections in First Round of 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

Austin Draude — Thu, 07 May 2026 01:48:00 +0000

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Wenatchee Wild are pleased to announce the selections of Yale Hockey Academy right wing Parker McMillan and Red Deer Rebels U15 AAA defenseman Jevin Morrison in the first round of the Western Hockey League Prospects Draft Wednesday afternoon. McMillan was selected with the second overall pick following a draft-day trade with the Vancouver Giants, while Morrison comes to the Wild with the fifth overall selection after a subsequent trade with the Victoria Royals. McMillan and Morrison were the highest selections in the WHL Prospects Draft for the Wild since the club’s acquisition of the former Winnipeg ICE franchise in the summer of 2023. McMillan comes to the Wild organization off a standout season in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL), in which he piled up 41 goals and 50 assists over just 25 regular-season games at the Under-15 Prep level before cranking out 10 more points in three games during the league’s Western Championships in Penticton, British Columbia. The Surrey, British Columbia product fit right in during limited appearances with Yale Hockey Academy’s U18 Prep team as well, with a goal and an assist in four regular-season outings, and three points in two postseason games. “Parker just has that blend of size and competitiveness and hockey sense and physical abilities that, for us, was an absolute no-brainer,” said Wenatchee Wild director of scouting Leigh Mendelson. “He fits into our roster really well for the future as a right winger – we’ve got some really good right wingers coming in the next few years, and he’ll be one of them as well. We felt the best player (at that position) for us was going to be Parker, and we couldn’t be happier to have him.” McMillan’s efforts were well-recognized by the CSSHL, earning the division’s Forward of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors. It was his second straight year earning CSSHL honors, after landing a spot on last season’s U15 Prep Rookie All-Star team for its British Columbia and United States-based members. “I’m so grateful to be selected by this organization,” said McMillan. “I couldn’t be more grateful and excited for the future. Let’s Go Wild!” Wenatchee went back to the blue line for its second pick of the day, selecting Morrison after a star season in the Alberta Elite Hockey League. The Sylvan Lake, Alberta native showcased his skills at both ends of the ice, rolling up 17 goals and 47 assists in 24 games with the Rebels U15 squad, followed by 12 points in nine AEHL playoff games. After leading his Red Deer group to an AEHL U15 title in 2025, his team nearly repeated the feat this year, dropping an overtime decision to the Lethbridge Val Matteoti Golden Hawks in the provincial final. His 64 points this season led all AEHL U15 blueliners, and earned him a spot on the division’s First All-Star Team. “He just has an ability with his feet and his brain and his competitiveness to control the play, and to make the right play an awful lot,” said Mendelson. “He does some good things at the offensive blue line – if you categorized him, he might be a little more on the offensive side. He’s extremely competitive and plays in all three zones hard without the puck. He’s going to grow into a really good defenseman in this league, a number-one defenseman for any team, and we’re real thrilled to be that team.” The WHL draft sequence continues Thursday morning at 9 a.m. Pacific time with the second and subsequent rounds of the WHL Prospects Draft. All selections will be announced via the WHL website, with all Wenatchee selections to be announced on the team’s social media platforms as well. The Wenatchee Wild proudly welcome Parker McMillan and Jevin Morrison to the Wild family.

Wenatchee Wild Prepare for 2026 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft

Austin Draude — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:02:10 +0000

REAL-TIME WHL DRAFT BOARD \\ WATCH LIVE ON VICTORY+

WENATCHEE, Wash. – The future is now for the Wenatchee Wild, as well as the best 2011-born hockey players in Western Canada and the western United States. Wednesday evening, the Wild will join the Western Hockey League's other 22 teams in the WHL's annual Prospects Draft, with the first pick to be selected at 5 p.m. Pacific time. In the WHL Draft Lottery held March 26, Wenatchee secured the third overall pick in this year’s draft, its highest pick in the draft since the former Winnipeg ICE moved to the Wenatchee Valley in the summer of 2023. “When you look at the last three teams in this year’s playoffs and you go back the last few years, you can see where for us it’ll be organization-changing, to go along with the first-round picks we’ve had from 2009 and 2010,” said Wenatchee Wild general manager Bliss Littler. “For us, it’s extremely important that we get it right, and we get a kid that at some point will be the face of our organization.” Recent trades made after the club joined the WHL allowed them to acquire several early-round picks in this year's draft, with the club set to select five players in the first four rounds. The team’s January 2024 trade with the Swift Current Broncos involving current Tampa Bay Lightning forward and first-round National Hockey League draft pick Conor Geekie allowed the Wild to leap into the third spot on this year’s draft board, with Wenatchee receiving the Broncos' first-round selection. A corresponding trade moving current Edmonton Oilers forward Matthew Savoie to the Moose Jaw Warriors allowed the Wild to take on a second-round pick this year as well, at 28^th overall. University of Wisconsin freshman standout Daniel Hauser was dealt to the Calgary Hitmen at the 2025 trade deadline, accounting for Wenatchee's third-round pick at 54th overall. The team’s first-round selections have yielded impressive results each of the last two years – Alberta-born forward Kalen Miles was last year’s 10^th overall selection and scored two goals and two assists over a handful of appearances with the Wild this past season. 2024 first-rounder Boston Tait went 12^th overall, and was one of the club’s top defensemen in his first WHL season this past year – Tait tallied 23 points, including five goals, and earned a gold medal at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge in Nova Scotia this past November. The list of third overall selections in the WHL Prospects Draft is an impressive one, headlined by former New York Rangers goaltender Dan Blackburn, who won a WHL championship with the Kootenay ICE in 2000 before being taken by the New York Rangers at 10^th overall and going directly to the National Hockey League after his WHL career ended in 2001. Also topping the list of third overall picks is current Czech pro Mark Pysyk, who is in his second year of European competition after making 521 NHL appearances for the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars. This year’s WHL Prospects Draft is the league’s 37^th annual event, debuting in 1990. First-round selections will be made Wednesday evening, starting with the league’s annual draft show at 4:30 p.m., streaming exclusively on Victory+. This year’s draft will officially open at 5 p.m., with subsequent rounds to be held Thursday. Follow the Wild social media accounts throughout the draft for real-time announcements of the club’s selections, and visit the team’s website after both days of the draft for a full summary of Wenatchee’s newest prospects.