Portland Winterhawks - Feed

Portland Winterhawks named winner of WHL Business Award for 2025-26

Nick Marek — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:57:08 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Western Hockey League announced today the Portland Winterhawks as the winner of the WHL Business Award for the 2025-26 WHL Regular Season. The WHL Business Award is presented annually to the WHL Club that best exemplifies giving back to the community and producing an electrifying game-day experience for fans. “This is a tremendous honor for our organization,” Chief Operating Officer Jeff McGillis said. “Our staff is passionate about delivering a professional and memorable hockey experience for Portland and the surrounding community every year. This award recognizes the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our entire team. From the business staff, hockey operations, and our players, everyone has a hand in bringing our vision to life. We also view this as a direct reflection of the incredible support we receive from our fans and sponsors. Their passion and loyalty allow us to create the special atmosphere at the Glass Palace.” The Winterhawks have been nominated for the WHL Business Award for three consecutive seasons; this marks the second time in franchise history Portland has been named the winner, having been last recognized in 1993-94. In 2025-26, the Portland Winterhawks commemorated their 50th Anniversary season in the Western Hockey League. This included a partnership with the City of Portland and Rip City Management to execute a $50 million renovation of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Winterhawks became the first WHL organization to add 360 LED dashboards to improve the game-day experience and increase sponsorship revenue. Over 175,000 fans attended a Winterhawks game this season, an increase over previous seasons and including two sellouts. Premium ticketing experiences were offered, including suites between the lower and upper bowls, VIP tables along the glass, and a beer garden. In addition, a renovated VIP lounge with food and beverage options was provided. Throughout the season, Portland unveiled its Top 50 Winterhawks Players of All Time with six unique promotion nights. Opening Night unveiled the Top 50 players in alphabetical order. Then, once a month for five months, ten players were unveiled, culminating in the Top Ten on March 7. That evening, the Winterhawks retired the number one Winterhawk of all time, Ken Yaremchuk’s jersey. The ceremony featured current Winterhawks forward Sam Spehar presenting his number 15 jersey to Yaremchuk and debuting his new number seven jersey. Through player-involved community initiatives led by Kyle McDonough, Jordan Duguay, and Nathan Brown, Portland honored different communities throughout the year. On Hawks Fight Cancer Night, Brown raised funds for cancer research with a post-game haircut immediately after the game, while still in his equipment. Over $10,000 was received in donations directly benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Additional cultural celebration promotion nights in the series included Hispanic Heritage Night, Pacific Islander Night, Pride Night, and Chinese Lunar New Year Night. The Winterhawks rose to number two overall in the WHL in total followers on social media and is the only WHL team to rank in the top five followers in all four social media platforms. Portland partnered with Victory+ to deliver a high-quality, unique fan-viewing experience, resulting in the fifth-highest unique average viewership, the second-highest average watch time, and over 5 hours of team-specific content on the team’s Victory+ Hub platform. The Winterhawks partnered with a digital marketing agency to drive ticket sales and elevate social media, Victory+, and website content. This fueled an increase in ticket revenue and created multiple team media days, promo videos, a recruiting video for prospects, and an individual media-day photo shoot for key prospects. Post-game press conferences were opened to the public to increase the fan experience, provide media training, and drive social media content.

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.

Six Winterhawks Named to NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings

Nick Marek — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:50:19 +0000

Portland, Ore. – NHL Central Scouting released its North American Final Rankings on Thursday, naming six Winterhawks to the list of top players on the continent: Jake Gustafson, Will McLaughlin, Jordan Duguay, Reed Brown, Nathan Brown, and Ondřej Štěbeták. Jake Gustafson In his debut WHL season, the California kid has showcased a 200-foot game shift after shift. Out of San Jose, Gustafson played in all 72 regular season and postseason games this season, amassing 25 points behind 13 goals and 12 assists. Three of those goals came in a hat-trick performance against the Kamloops Blazers on Nov. 21. His position flexibility allowed him to play both center and wing along with both power play and penalty kill. Central Scouting has named Gustafson as the No. 52 skater in North America. Will McLaughlin Also in his first season of WHL hockey, Will McLaughlin saw crucial minutes on special teams as the season progressed. The Canmore, Alberta native led all Portland blueliners with nine goals this season, and added 21 assists for a 30-point campaign – tied for the team lead among defensemen. McLaughlin’s strong play this season has elevated his ranking with Central Scouting, bumping him up to No. 57 among North American skaters from being ranked No. 91 on the Mid-Term Rankings. Jordan Duguay A player with a nose for the back of the net, Jordan Duguay was a constant force on ice. Showcasing an ability to play in multiple roles on different lines, the Edmonton, Alberta man finished the season with 65 points from 22 goals and 43 assists. Duguay was one of three players to finish the season above the 60-point threshold, alongside Alex Weiermair and Ryan Miller. Central Scouting has named Duguay as the No. 123 skater in North America. Reed Brown From the growing hockey hotbed of Tempe, Arizona, Brown finished the season strong with 29 points behind 17 goals and 12 assists in 62 games played. Often flying down the ice, Brown was always a threat on odd-man rushes and breakaways. Brown had a seven-game goal streak between Oct. 24 and Nov. 11 earlier this season. Brown’s speed and dynamic play landed him as the No. 154 skater in North America, up from 167 earlier this season. Nathan Brown Appearing on the Central Scouting rankings for the first time this season, Brown made an immediate impact in Portland. Playing in his debut WHL season, Brown was named an alternate captain earlier this season and demonstrated a hard-nosed style of play. On top of his physicality, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native finished with 39 points (16G, 23A) in 55 games. Brown also scored one playoff goal in Game Four against Everett. Central Scouting has named Brown as the No. 224 skater in North America. Ondřej Štěbeták Continuing his second season in the WHL, Štěbeták was depended upon heavily in the back stretch of the campaign. The Czech netminder played in 48 games, working to a 3.40 GAA, 0.897 SV%, and 23-19-5-1 record. On Jan. 13 against the Moose Jaw Warriors, Štěbeták turned aside all 26 shots that came his way for his first WHL shutout. Štěbeták also represented Czechia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota earlier this season, winning a silver medal. Central Scouting has named Štěbeták as the No. 35 netminder in North America. These six Winterhawks are joined by 72 other WHL players on Central Scouting’s rankings.

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.

Winterhawks Alumnus Tyson Jugnauth named to AHL All-Rookie Team

Nick Marek — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:00:27 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to share that alumnus Tyson Jugnauth has been named to the 2025-26 AHL All-Rookie Team. Jugnauth, from Kelowna, B.C., played 106 games across two seasons in the Rose City. In that span he compiled 130 points from 20 goals and 110 assists. During the 2024-25 season Jugnauth was named as an alternate captain, and took home WHL Defenseman of the Year honors. Drafted by the Seattle Kraken 100th overall in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Jugnauth currently plays for Seattle’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. In his first pro season, Jugnauth led all AHL rookie blueliners with 44 points from nine goals and 35 assists across 70 games. Congratulations to Tyson for this incredible achievement! Cover Photo credit: Kai Brown

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.

Winterhawks Alumnus Marek Alscher Makes NHL Debut with Florida Panthers

Nick Marek — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:40:47 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce that alumni Marek Alscher made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators. Alscher becomes the 143rd Winterhawk to play in the NHL! Alscher, from Kladno, Czechia, saw 19:28 of ice time over 25 shifts while recording two shots, one hit, and one block. Alscher was selected 93rd overall in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Panthers. Since beginning his pro career in 2024, Alscher has skated in 104 games with Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He’s posted 21 points from 5 goals and 16 assists across two seasons. “I just thought about how big of a dream it was for me,” Alscher said of his thoughts during Thursday’s rookie lap. “And it was just pure emotion out there.” “You’re in your first game, and you play almost 20 minutes,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “Really really happy with his game…Marek got a little more opportunity tonight to play and play against the other team’s best; got up the ice a few times, used the size a little bit, didn’t look like he was afraid to make a play.” Maurice also said that he expects Alscher to play in Florida’s Saturday matchup with Toronto. The 6’3, 205-pound defenceman played in 178 games for the Winterhawks between 2021 and 2024. In that span, Alscher amassed 66 points behind 22 goals and 44 assists. Alscher also played in 38 playoff games in Portland, scoring two goals and seven assists. He was also a key member of the 2024 Western Conference Champion Winterhawks team. In his final year in the WHL, Alscher joined the Czech World Junior team for seven games en route to a bronze medal. Florida would fall to Ottawa 5-1 on the road, as Alscher made his debut alongside Checkers teammate Ludvig Jansson “It’s sweet and sour,” said Alscher post game “The first NHL game, that’s big for me, but unfortunately we didn’t get the win, which would’ve been awesome. Like I said, sweet and sour. It’s nice to play in my first NHL game, but it would be much nicer if we won.” Cover Photo Credit: Florida Panthers

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.

Alex Weiermair named U.S. Division Representative for WHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Nick Marek — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:11:56 +0000

WHL announces Winterhawks as 2025-26 finalist for WHL Business Award

Nick Marek — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:04:41 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 finalists for the WHL Business Award, presented annually to the WHL Club that best exemplifies giving back to the community and producing an electrifying game-day experience for fans.

Winners of 2026 WHL Awards will be announced from Tuesday, April 21, through Wednesday, May 6.

WHL Business Award – Western Conference Finalist

Portland Winterhawks

WHL Business Award – Eastern Conference Finalist

Prince Albert Raiders

Portland Winterhawks

The Portland Winterhawks business success came through revenue growth, fan engagement, and innovative marketing. The Club saw ticket sales revenue increase by six per cent and surpassed 5,100 in average attendance, while expanding premium seating offerings, growing merchandising revenue, and partnerships. The Winterhawks enhanced the fan experience with state-of-the-art LED rinkboards, themed promotional nights, and community-driven initiatives. Digitally, the Winterhawks ranked among the WHL leaders in social media reach and streaming engagement, supported by strategic content and paid campaigns. The Club’s collaboration with League initiatives and operational excellence further reinforced their position as a top-performing franchise.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

Winterhawks forward Domenichelli invited to Switzerland World U18 Championships camp

Nick Marek — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:30:48 +0000

Hawks forward Weiermair named as Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy nominee

Nick Marek — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:04:22 +0000

RECAP: Winterhawks season comes to an end as ‘Tips escape with Game 4 victory

Nick Marek — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:39:36 +0000

Nathan Free netted his third goal of the series before Nathan Brown added a tally in the second, and Ryan Miller capped off the scoring as the Winterhawks fell in Game 4 to the Silvertips. Round 1 Game 4: Portland (3) vs. Everett (6) SOG: POR (29) – EVT (42) PP: POR (1/3) – EVT (2/4) Saves: Stěběták (36) – Miller (26) COMPLETE BOX SCORE SCORING: POR – Nathan Free (3) from Cole Slobodian POR – Nathan Brown (1) from Alex Weiermair and Jordan Duguay (power play) EVT – Jaxsin Vaughan (2) from Luke Vlooswyk and Nolan Chastko EVT – Lukas Kaplan (2) from Brek Liske and Zackary Shantz EVT – Landon DuPont (2) from Zackary Shantz and Rylan Gould EVT – Zackary Shantz (2) from Lukas Kaplan EVT – Jesse Heslop (2) from Shea Busch and Jaxsin Vaughan (power play) EVT – Rylan Gould (2) from Carter Bear and Matias Vanhanen (power play) POR – Ryan Miller (1) from Alex Weiermair and Jordan Duguay GAME SUMMARY: The Portland Winterhawks hit the ice in a must-win Game 4 and jumped out to an early lead. Cole Slobodian worked the puck along the far-side boards before sending it on net, where Nathan Free tracked down the rebound and buried his third goal of the series to make it 1-0. After a delay of game penalty on the Silvertips early in the second, Portland’s five-forward power play unit capitalized. Alex Weiermair fired a shot from the point, and Nathan Brown created chaos netfront, tipping it in for a 2-0 lead. Everett responded with three goals to take their first lead of the night heading into the third period. The Silvertips added two power play goals in the final frame to extend their advantage. With just 10 seconds remaining in the season, Ryan Miller found the back of the net with his gritty effort, fittingly mirroring how the Hawks opened the year, off the captains’ stick. Portland’s season came to a close in a 6-3 final.

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.

Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 4 vs Everett

Nick Marek — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:00:46 +0000

The Portland Winterhawks host the Everett Silvertips tonight for Game 4 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in a do-or-die matchup, as Portland looks to keep its playoff hopes alive. Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. PST Venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum – Portland, OR. Uniforms: Black Gold Listen Live: Winterhawks Radio Network and on the Winterhawks App – Be sure to download the latest version of the app Watch Live: Victory+ Game Notes: Winterhawks Game Notes Follow the Winterhawks: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok FOLLOW ALONG Last Time Out The Winterhawks took the ice in front of a home crowd at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and came out strong, knowing the importance of Game 3. Despite a solid opening frame from Portland, the Everett Silvertips carried a 1-0 lead into the second period and extended it with two more in the middle 20 minutes to take control. The game slipped out of reach in the final frame, as Everett erupted for four goals in a five-minute span, skating away with a 7-0 win. Eyeing Everett The Winterhawks defeated the reigning Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy champions Silvertips in seven games during the second round of the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Portland won games five and seven in Everett to clinch the series. Winterhawks netminder Ondřej Štěbeták made 40 saves in the deciding game to send the Hawks onto the Western Conference Finals. The series opened with games 1 and 2 in Everett, where the Silvertips fed off the home crowd and set the tone early with a decisive 8-1 victory on Friday, followed by a tighter 4-1 win on Saturday. The series then shifted back to Portland for game 3 last night, where the Silvertips gathered another win to take a 3-0 advantage. The Everett Silvertips are powered by a dangerous core up front. The trio of Carter Bear, Matias Vanhanen, and Julius Miettinen, along with standout defenseman Landon DuPont, has driven the ‘Tips through the first three games, combining for 21 points as a dominant force. Between the pipes, Everett is backed by a pair of 19-year-old netminders in Anders Miller and Raiden LeGall. Miller has started all three games in the series, posting three wins along with a stellar .70 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. Playoff Party in Portland Get to the Glass Palace early and kick off Game 4 the right way. A live DJ will be spinning a pregame mix to get the energy going, while fans can check out brand-new playoff merch and rep the Hawks in style. Be sure to swing by the concourse tables for balloon art, and stop in with our Hawkey Flock and Booster Club tables for even more fan fun before puck drop! Winterhawks Enter 15th Straight WHL Playoffs The Portland Winterhawks officially extended their streak to 15 consecutive postseason appearances. This is the fifth-longest active run in the 61-team Canadian Hockey League. Twelve players will make their WHL Playoff debuts, but a robust core of veterans will lead the crew into another enthralling chapter of Winterhawks playoff history. Entering as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, Portland has drawn the top-seeded Everett Silvertips in the opening round. It marks the fourth straight postseason meeting between the U.S. Division rivals, with the Winterhawks winning each of the previous three encounters. Portland will host Game 4, presented by Toyota, and Game 6 if necessary. All home and away playoff games will be streamed live for free on Victory+. Light Show Experience We have introduced a new smartphone light show experience this season, powered by CUE’s “Light Show” platform. Make sure you have downloaded the latest version of the Winterhawks App, click on the Lightshow button, enable/accept the permissions, and be ready to join in the fun starting with the team's intro video before the Hawks take the ice! Fans will be able to sync their phone screens and flashlights to the in-arena presentation, turning the entire crowd into part of the show during key moments like player intros and intermissions. The result? An immersive, high-energy environment where your phone becomes a spotlight and you’re actively part of the spectacle. Winterhawks 50/50 Tonight’s Winterhawks Foundation 50/50 is live! Half of the prize pot will go to our winner, and the other portion of the proceeds will benefit Portland youth hockey, the Tom’s Tykes program, and the Players’ Education Fund. BUY RAFFLE TICKETS HERE. Loud Cups The Winterhawks are thrilled to announce the Loud Cup as the team’s official noisemaker! Be sure to grab yours at the Team Store at entry T. All season ticket holders can pick up their official STH exclusive Loud Cup at the info window located across from Entry A. Noisemakers of any kind, such as cowbells, whistles, foghorns/airhorns and plastic horns such as vuvuzelas and didgeridoos are not permitted in the VMC. Toyota Fast Pass All Toyota Key Holders and Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of the Toyota Fast Pass Lane, located at the northernmost entrance of the main doors. Sensory Room presented by DSP Connections The Sensory Room will be located in the DWYER ROOM on the first floor of the coliseum and the Sensory Kits will be available for pickup at the Rose Quarter Guest Services Window near Entry CC on the VMC concourse. If you have any questions, you can contact the Winterhawks Offices at (503) 236-4295. Kids’ Corner presented by Seebee Construction We invite all fans to visit our Winterhawks Kids Corner located in the southwest corner of the VMC concourse by Entry F. Play foosball, PlayStation 5 NHL25, or check out a book from our Little Library. A big thank you to our friends at Seebee Construction for making the fun activities in the Kids Corner possible. Score More Chicken All fans in attendance at Winterhawks home games this season will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich whenever the Hawks score four or more goals! Be sure to grab your coupon on the way out after the game. Tune in on Victory+ Fans can stream the Portland Winterhawks’ entire 2025-26 WHL regular-season on Victory+ for FREE. Visit the Winterhawks hub by clicking here. Victory+ has replaced WHL Live on CHL TV, so make sure to visit victoryplus.com/download before the game on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. STAY SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

–

The Winterhawks trust Riverside Payments for all of their credit card processing as the team’s official credit card processors.