Portland Winterhawks - Feed

Mike Johnston continues with Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence

Nick Marek — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:06:15 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to recognize President and General Manager Mike Johnston once again being named to Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence Management Group for the 2026-27 season. Johnston returns for his second consecutive stint with the POE, guiding the under-17 program through the 2026 U17 World Challenge in Oakville, Ontario. He is joined at the POE by Yanick Lemay of Drummondville in the QMJHL and Dave Brown of Erie in the OHL. A native of Dartmouth, NS, Johnston has an extensive history with Hockey Canada. He won a gold medal at the 1994, 1995, and 1996 World Juniors and recently served as an assistant coach at the 2025 World Juniors. He’s also coached or served as general manager of Team Canada at the IIHF Mens’ World Championship eight times, as well as other international events like the Olympics, Spengler Cup, and the U18 and U17 World Championships. "We are very pleased to have Mike, Dave, and Yanick return to the POE Management Group," POE general manager Alan Millar said. "All three individuals bring great leadership, CHL management, and international experience to our National Teams. Mike, Dave, and Yanick will play a significant role in player evaluations, team build, and establishing the standard for culture and expectations across all our programs."

Day-to-day operations for the POE management group include assisting in coach and player selections, supporting the coaching staffs, and providing input during camps and tournaments throughout the season.

The Program of Excellence is overseen by Katherine Henderson, Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer; Misha Donskov, vice-president of hockey operations and men’s national teams coach; Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations; Benoit Roy, director of hockey operations; Dan MacKenzie, CHL president; Bryan Crawford, OHL commissioner; Mario Cecchini, QMJHL commissioner; Dan Near, WHL commissioner, and Alan Millar.

Congratulations, Mike!

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Winterhawks add nine players during 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

Nick Marek — Thu, 07 May 2026 22:43:52 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks made nine selections during the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, including six forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender. Players eligible for the 2026 WHL Prospects Drafter were 2011-born players residing in Western Canada and the Western U.S. "You can't say enough about the scouts," Head Coach Kyle Gustafson said. "Just the time and effort that they put in throughout the year, identifying players. They truly are the lifeline of our organization, and I thought they did a phenomenal job. This draft also wouldn't be possible without the work and dedication of Matt Davidson; he was a huge part of today's success." Round 1, Pick 20 - Cullen Stephenson, F With its highest draft pick since the 2009 draft – when the Hawks took Derrick Pouloit first overall – Portland selected Cullen Stephenson from Warman, Sask. Playing for the Warman Wildcats U15 AA squad this past season, the 5'11, 140-pound forward compiled 88 total points behind 38 goals and 50 assists. The WHL is familiar territory to the Stephenson family, as Cullen's father, Shay, won the 2001 league title and Memorial Cup with the Red Deer Rebels. “He’s a highly skilled winger,” Head Saskatchewan Scout Darwin Bennett said. “He can skate, he makes plays, he’s got a good shot, he’s an unselfish player. He makes other players better, and he’s got a high compete…a real solid team player.” Round 2, Pick 38 - Aidan Potash, D In the second round, the Winterhawks took defenseman Aidan Potash out of Kelowna, B.C. In the Okanagan Rockets system this season, Potash skated in ten games for the U18 AAA team, tallying one assist. Gifted with a lofty 6'2", 181-pound frame, Potash combines size and speed that will make him an impact player on the Portland blueline. Potash was named as a BCEHL U15 All-Star, and won BCEHL titles at the U15 and U18 levels. Round 3, Pick 56 - Arjun Mangadu, F Hailing from Livermore, California, Arjun Mangadu was a goal-scoring machine at Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island. In 59 games with the 14U AAA team, Mangadu lasered home 58 goals, adding 45 assists for a 103 point campaign. Mangadu recently participated at the Cwench World Invite – a premier tournament for 14-year-old boys – for Team USA West. In eight games he scored six goals and four assists for ten points. Round 4, Pick 79 - Emmett Abel, F Portland added another forward with Emmett Abel in the fourth round. Playing with the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep team, Abel fired 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 28 games played. Abel stands at 5'7" and 146-pounds and showcases a fast style of play. Round 5, Pick 97 - Easton Scott, F From the Lone Star State to the Rose City, Easton Scott piled on the points with the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA program. In 58 total games this season, the San Antonio native scored 37 goals and 40 assists for 77 points. The 6'0, 163-pound forward will turn 15 later this month and will bring size and a multi-faceted game to the WHL. Round 5, Pick 109 - Kacy Turberfield, F Continuing a dense stretch of picks, the Winterhawks landed Kacy Turberfield out of Meadow Lake, Sask. Turberfield showed both a willingness to shoot the puck for results and the skill to distribute when needed. Listed at 5'9, 181-pounds, Turberfield secured 36 total points from 21 goals and 15 assists with the North West Stars U15 AA team in the SAAHL. Round 6, Pick 117, Nathan Johnson, D Portland took its second defenseman of the draft with its seventh pick. The Edmonton, Alberta native possesses an uncanny ability to find teammates on the opposite side of the ice for goal-scoring opportunities. However, Johnson is not afraid to shoot the puck, firing home six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in a 28-game calendar for RINK HA Kelowna U15 Prep. A 5'10, 161-pound blueliner, Johnson combines a wicked shot and great vision for a 200-foot game. Round 9, Pick 189, Cohen Spencer, G After a 72-pick hiatus, the Hawks were back on the board with a goalie selection. Cohen Spencer joins the Hawks from the Calgary Edge School U15 Prep team. In 16 games this season, Spencer has posted a 3.98 GAA, a 0.881 save-percentage, and a 9-8-0 record. The 5'10, 130-pound netminder from Rocky View, Alberta is the fourth netminder drafted by the Hawks in the last three years. Round 9, Pick 194, James Butterwick, F Portland's draft-capping selection, Butterwick plays a tenacious brand of hockey. Skating in 30 games with the Calgary Edge School U15 Prep squad, Butterwick lit the lamp for 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points. Butterwick can connect on crucial passes and find paths to the cage in any situation. "It seems like we got a little bit of everything," Gustafson said. "You've got an amazing amount of skill, some high-character players, some players that really represent competitive traits. We are really thrilled with the group we have!" Keep an eye on Winterhawks social platforms and winterhawks.com for more draft coverage over the coming days!

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Winterhawks draft Cullen Stephenson 10th overall in 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

Nick Marek — Thu, 07 May 2026 05:44:25 +0000

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce the selection of forward Cullen Stephenson with the tenth overall selection in today’s 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. During the 2025-26 season, the Warman, Saskatchewan, native played for the Warman Wildcats U15 AA, where he registered 38 goals, 50 assists, and 88 points in 25 games. Stephenson then added another 20 points in seven playoff games. "He’s a highly skilled winger," Head Saskatchewan Scout Darwin Bennett said. "He can skate, he makes plays, he’s got a good shot, he’s an unselfish player. He makes other players better, and he’s got a high compete…a real solid team player." Stephenson earned comparisons to former Winterhawks Ryan Johansen and Nate Danielson from members of the Portland staff. This marks the fourth time the Winterhawks have selected tenth overall. Previous selections include Joey Tetarenko (1993), Colton Sceviour (2004), and Riley Boychuk (2006). The Winterhawks will continue to add to their prospect group during the second day of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, which takes place Thursday beginning at 9:00 A.M. PT. Portland’s next selection comes in the second round, 38th overall. Fans can follow the action online by clicking here. Players eligible for the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft are 2011-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Players not selected in the Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL Clubs at any time thereafter.

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Winterhawks 2026 WHL Draft Preview

Nick Marek — Mon, 04 May 2026 19:23:45 +0000

Following the 15th consecutive season of playoff hockey in Portland, the Winterhawks will look to add some new faces to the organization at the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. With a young core of returning players that featured 14 rookies, this upcoming week promises to be a busy and exciting one for President and General Manager Mike Johnston and Head Coach Kyle Gustafson. The draft is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, with the first round taking place on the first day and all subsequent rounds on the second day. The Winterhawks currently possess 13 draft picks, including the 10th overall in the first round – the first first-round selection since 2024 when the Hawks selected Jordin St. Louis 20th overall. This is also Portland's best draft position since 2016, when the Hawks held the ninth overall pick. Portland last had the 10th overall pick in 2006 when it selected Riley Boychuk. The Winterhawks hold six picks in the first five rounds.

Round	Pick
1	10
2	38 (From BDN)
3	56
4	79
5	97 (From MJ)
5	109 (From KEL)
9	189 (From MJ)
9	194
11	240
12	263
13	286
14	309
15	332

Many teams have jockeyed for picks in the opening round, with 13 of the 23 picks having changed hands. Portland's second, fifth, sixth, and seventh picks were all acquired from another team in the WHL. Strong players can be found in every round of the draft. Former Winterhawks captain Kyle Chyzowski was selected in the third round, 58th overall, back in 2019, while forward Marcus Nguyen was taken in the 11th round, 234th overall, that same year. Current Portland standouts Kyle McDonough (2022 2nd round, 40th overall) and Jordan Duguay (2023 2nd round, 39th overall) both got their starts in the Prospects Draft – those two combined for 93 points this past season. Portland looks to build off an impressive list of draftees taken in last year's WHL Prospects Draft, including Trevor Toyne, Crewe Schimnowski, and Kohen Ruedig. The WHL has eliminated the U.S. Priority Draft, shifting the Prospects Draft to include all players in the United States and Canada. Eligible players for this year's draft will be the 2011-born coalition of talent. The first round of the draft will be shown for free on Victory+ at 5 p.m. Pacific Time, with a pre-draft show commencing at 4:30 p.m. For complete coverage of the 2026 WHL Prospect Drafts, visit WHL.ca.

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Alex Weiermair named WHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Nick Marek — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:58:00 +0000

Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce that the Western Hockey League has named 2025-26 alternate captain Alex Weiermair as the winner of this year’s Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy for WHL Scholastic Player of the Year. In his 20-year-old season, Weiermair held a 4.0 GPA across his college coursework, taking classes in chemistry, business, history, and psychology. Earlier this season, Portland named Weiermair its Scholastic Player of the Year. "Alex is a very driven, focused individual in all areas," President and General Manager Mike Johnston said. "He has been a great example for our young guys on and off the ice. When I first saw his academic transcripts, I could not believe the consistency in getting A’s while taking challenging courses. After getting drafted last year, he could have deflected some of the academic workload to a future year, but he never did." Weiermair becomes the second Winterhawk to win the award, joining Dan Hulak, who took home the honor after the 2000-01 season. "Alex is humble, mature, genuine, and a young man of great integrity," Winterhawks Education Advisor Sue Johnson said. "He is one of the most gifted young men I have had the opportunity to work with in my 50-plus years in education." Weiermair's academic transcript also includes a perfect 4.0 GPA at the University of Denver while studying advanced levels of calculus and physics, as well as interests in environmental and social sciences. He maintained his perfect marks while taking online courses at UC Berkeley and American Public University, again with advanced-level courses. "Striving for academic excellence accomplishes challenging goals, but also translates my thought processes to decision-making on the ice," Weiermair said. "Critical thinking, problem solving, and strategic analysis are gained through academic rigor; honing these skills in the classroom facilitates my on-ice intelligence. Additionally, I’ll still be young when life forces me to hang up my skates, and planning for what life will look like after hockey is important." A native of Los Angeles, California, Weiermair signed his entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights and has already begun his professional career with the ECHL's Tahoe Knight Monsters as they battle in the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Congratulations to Alex on this incredible achievement!

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Portland Winterhawks mourn the passing of Matt Davidson

Nick Marek — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:45:26 +0000

The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is deeply saddened by the news that Matt Davidson, our Director of Player Personnel, has passed away. Matt had a tremendous impact on our organization as a player from 1993-1997, as a regional scout, and as Director of Player Personnel, leading our scouts and players. Matt had an infectious personality, loved his family, was passionate about hockey, and deeply cared for everyone. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to his wife, Jane, his son, Hyde, and all his family and friends during this difficult time.

50 Years of Hawkey – Team Historian Andy Kemper

Nick Marek — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:16:14 +0000

Around the time of the Neely Cup training camp in late August/early September, I met with Josh Critzer at a Starbucks to discuss the team's plans for celebrating the 50^th Anniversary Season of the Portland Winterhawks and what I could do to help. There were some grand plans being discussed, some materialized, and some didn’t, but it was the groundwork for what I feel turned out to be a very successful marketing effort executed to do proper homage to the occasion. One of the things we discussed was me putting in writing what 50 years of Winterhawks hockey means to me. I have a unique perspective on the organization, having been around since day one, and have progressed from fan to broadcaster to historian, and for the most part these days, back to fan. We talked about this a few times during the season but there was so much going on with the Top 50 players and other events, this fell to the back burner. The main culprit for the procrastination falls on me, not knowing how to broach the topic, as accepting the team has played 50 seasons meant that I had to accept that the 10-year-old kid who got obsessed with the team, junior hockey, and everything about it, was approaching, if my math is correct, his 60^th birthday. I don’t feel 60, I don’t act 60, and most people (perhaps out of kindness) say that I don’t look 60. But time is still the infinite jest. Now that we are closing in on about a month since Ryan Miller scored the final goal of the 50^th season in the closing seconds of a first round playoff defeat, I have had some time to reflect on what the 50 years mean to me and I finally feel that I can do proper justice to detail what has truly been a staple in my life, a cornerstone of who I am and what I am. This is not going to focus on the players or the on-ice product much, as those are ancillary to the discussion. That is the backdrop to what, in the end, revolves around the primary theme of five decades – family. It starts with my parents, two hard-working, middle-class individuals who were working in the early stages of the high-tech boom in Oregon at Tektronix. I was born and raised in Cornelius as the youngest of five children, four boys and one girl. My parents involved us in everything – camping, hunting, fishing, and sports. When I was very young, hockey was not a huge part of my life. I was exposed to the sport, having gone to Portland Buckaroo games with my family, and with my sister being involved in a relationship and eventually marrying a guy who played with the Junior Buckaroos in the early 70’s. My father was a baseball guy, having pitched and coached at the Semi-Pro level. Baseball is still a passion of mine - Go Cubs! When the Winter Hawks (two words) moved to Portland in 1976, my parents bought tickets for opening night and brought the three youngest kids (ages 10-12) with them. The Hawks won that night 7-5 over the New Westminster Bruins for their first victory as the new franchise after losing their first seven road games. That game was played on October 10, 1976, my parents’ 23rd wedding anniversary. We were hooked. In those days, the upper level of the VMC was General Admission seating, and fans would get in line early to race to get to their preferred seat as soon as the doors opened. For my family, it was Section 54, Row E, right above the rail. There was another family who also liked that row, and whichever family got there first would make sure that both families’ seats were held. That family was the Ickes family. Don Ickes would become a huge contributor to the Hawks Booster Club, and the Most Popular Player award presented by the Boosters is named in his honor. After the first season, the Ickes and Kemper families approached the Winter Hawks office and convinced them to reserve the first two rows in Section 54 to be sold as reserved seats with the commitment to buy season tickets for the seats we wanted. They agreed, and a 49-year (and counting) stretch of season tickets for my family began. Eventually, they made the first 10 rows of the upper-level reserved and later the entire upper-level, and my family moved to what were my parents’ permanent seats in Section 52 Row E. The first decade of 1976-1986 was incredibly formative for me as I was maturing from a 10-year-old through my teens, and going to hockey games had a huge impact on who I became. Living in rural Washington County meant that not a lot of my friends and classmates knew or cared much about hockey. My family got more involved with the team, getting to know some of the players away from the rink and billeting for a couple of seasons from 79-82. As a person not much younger than the players, it opened doors for me to grow closer to the team and the sport, and the VMC is where I grew up. Watching the games, often doing my own play-by-play in my seat, and then spending the intermissions roaming the concourse. The concourse was like a playground – concessions, kids playing mini-sticks in the corners, and as I grew older, lots of cute girls. Starting about 1984, I kept seeing one of those cute girls at nearly every game. She would pass me on the concourse with her friends but never interacting. It was early in the 1985-86 season when I finally summoned the courage to speak with her, the then Vicki Mitchell. That grew into a relationship that eventually led to two young kids tying the knot in August of 1987. Vicki’s parents were also season-ticket holders, and when we got engaged, our parents thought it would be fun for us to marry at center ice before a game…but it never worked out. Vicki and I are quickly approaching our 39^th anniversary, and I can’t imagine what my life would be like if we hadn’t met at a Winterhawks game. Once married, Vicki and I got our own season tickets in the lower Northwest corner of the VMC, Section 10. This was equidistant between my parents in Section 52 and her parents in Section 15, not wanting to show favoritism. We didn’t have a lot of money, but that was an expense that we just couldn’t give up. From that seat, I could still hear my father voicing his displeasure after a bad call…his voice resonating over others. My father passed away from complications caused by cancer in 1992 at the age of 61. My Mother kept attending games with us, my brother, and my sister after his passing. She passed away last summer at the age of 89, and while she stopped attending games a few years earlier, she would still follow her boys via online streaming. The family theme would be continued through their grandchildren. My daughter Aiden was born in September 2000 and attended her first Winterhawks game three weeks later. She, even more so than me, has grown up with this organization. Her cousin, Keegan, was born four months later, and his sister, McKenna, two years after that. Those three grew up in the VMC and Rose Garden, sharing games with their Grandma Barb. Grandma taught them the game as much as anyone, and they always marveled at her ability to wish a shorty into a reality, as it happened a lot. She would say, “c’mon boys, we need a shorty” and the team would deliver. Aiden and I still point to the sky and thank Grandma after the Hawks score a much-needed shorthanded goal. When Aiden was just four, I was given the opportunity to join Dean Vrooman in the broadcast booth, and with both Vicki and Aiden’s blessings, this introduced me to a new family – the broadcasting family. Working with Dean, and later, his son, Todd, John Kirby, Kevin Flink, Larry Lester, and so many others was like giving me the golden ticket to the Hawkey chocolate factory. Having access and nurturing relationships within the hockey community not only with the Winterhawks staff and players, but the WHL league office, opposing teams’ broadcasters and staff, the players families, NHL scouts, and fans from across the WHL are enduring memories that I will always have and have resulted in lifelong friendships. When Scooter stepped away, and I moved into the play-by-play seat, I had the opportunity of filling a young fan’s dream in Section 52 of being the voice of the franchise. Unfortunately, those first two to three seasons behind the mic coincided with the lowest point of the team in both on-ice and off-ice results. It was a struggle – juggling the game calls with a full-time job and a young family – and there were a lot of days I felt like walking away, but I couldn’t do it. I felt a commitment and responsibility to the Winterhawks family to stay, as I knew, eventually, the team would recover and return to its former glory. They did…and the stretch of seasons from 2009-2015 made my decision to remain a happy one. Being as close as I was to those teams and working with Todd Vrooman was special, as I think we delivered a broadcast quality that matched the team’s results on the ice. Building relationships with Mike Johnston, Travis Green, Kyle Gustafson, Rich Campbell, Rob Gagne, Matt Bardsley, Graham Kendrick, Lisa Hollenbeck, Lesley Dawson, Jeremy Imig, Kelley Robinett, Doug Piper, and so many others solidified even more the Hawkey family for me. Having those years made it easier for me to step away from the booth in 2019. It was time to watch hockey with my family, and I am glad that I was able to be with them in our seats in Section 66, especially the last few years with my mom. When I talked with the front office about leaving, they could have easily said “thank you” and let me walk away. Instead, they gave me an opportunity to continue to be a small part of the organization in the Team Historian role and have done more than they should for me, Vicki, and Aiden. I am forever grateful for what they have done and continue to do. If you have made it this far, dear readers, I commend you. Let me close by saying that without family, I wouldn’t be where I am today in relation to the Winterhawks organization. Had my parents not decided to go to the first game or decided not to include their children in going, my life would have been drastically different. My family would be drastically different. I’m ready for the next 50 years. I’ll close with some words written by Neil Peart, the drummer for my other life passion – the band Rush, from the song “Headlong Flight”: All the journeys of this great adventure It didn’t always feel that way I wouldn’t trade them because I made them The best I could, and that’s enough to say Some days were dark I wish that I could live them all again Some nights were bright I wish that I could live them all again All the highlights of that headlong flight Holding on with all my might To what I felt back then I wish that I could live it all again

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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.

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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.

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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

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