Eight Winterhawks alumni included on AHL Opening Night Rosters
Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is excited to recognize eight alumni named to American Hockey League rosters ahead of the 2025-26 season. These players continue to represent Portland’s proud tradition of developing elite talent for the professional ranks.
| PLAYER | TEAM | Years in Portland | Drafted (Round-Pick) |
| Marek Alscher | Charlotte Checkers | 2021-24 | 2022 – FLA (3-93) |
| Luca Cagnoni | San Jose Barracuda | 2020-24 | 2023 – SJ (4-123) |
| Nick Cicek | Calgary Wranglers | 2017-21 | Undrafted |
| Taylor Gauthier | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2022 | Undrafted |
| Cross Hanas | Texas Stars | 2018-22 | 2020 – DET (2-55) |
| Tyson Jugnauth | Coachella Valley Firebirds | 2023-25 | 2022 – SEA (4-100) |
| Gabe Klassen | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 2019-24 | Undrafted |
| Derrick Poulliot | Hartford Wolf Pack | 2010-14 | 2012 – PIT (1-8) |
Tyson Jugnauth is the latest Winterhawks alumni to turn pro after helping lead Portland to its second consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance in 2025. He was also on the 2024 team that made it to the WHL Finals with Luca Cagnoni (San Jose), Marek Alscher (Charlotte Checkers), and Gabe Klassen (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton).
On Friday, three former Winterhawks begin their American Hockey League season with Cross Hanas and his Texas Stars facing the Abbotsford Canucks at 7:00 CDT. Former Winterhawks captain Nick Cicek and the Calgary Wranglers battle the Colorado Eagles at 7:05 MDT. Coachella Valley and 2025 WHL Defenseman of the Year, Tyson Jugnauth, get their season underway at 7:00 PDT against the San Diego Gulls.
Luca Cagnoni and the San Jose Barracuda kick off a busy day of games on Saturday with a matchup versus the Bakersfield Condors at 3:00 PM PDT. Three Winterhawks alumni faceoff at 3:05 PDT as Derick Poulliot’s Hartford Wolf Pack debuts against Gabe Klassen and Taylor Gauthier’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Charlotte Checkers and Marek Alscher drop the puck at the same time in a meeting with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
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