2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Vanhanen named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for February
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Matias Vanhanen of the Everett Silvertips has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for February.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound product of Nokia, Finland, recorded 20 points (7G-13A) and a plus-20 rating in 12 games, helping the Silvertips go 11-1-0-0 to claim the No. 1 seed in the WHL’s Western Conference for the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.
Ranked 76th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, Vanhanen is enjoying a quality first season in North America.
Vanhanen was only held off the scoresheet once during the month of February, registering points in 11 of 12 games for the Silvertips. On four occasions, the slippery winger tallied three points.
Vanhanen started the month with points in seven consecutive games (February 1-14), which included 10 points (4G-6A). After being held off the scoresheet Monday, February 16, at Calgary, Vanhanen responded strong to finish the month, putting together a four-point scoring string (February 21-28), which featured another 10 points (3G-7A) and eventually extended into March, when he tallied three points (1G-2A) Sunday, March 1, at Wenatchee.
The Finnish rookie recorded two three-assist outings during the month – the first coming Friday, February 6, in a 6-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers. All three of Vanhanen’s helpers were of the primary variety and provided direct setups for Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear, who registered a hat trick in the contest.
Vanhanen’s second three-assist game Saturday, February 28, as the Silvertips slipped by the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-2 in overtime. Once again, Vanhanen was the key playmaker, factoring into all three Everett goals, including third period strikes by Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen, Bear, and eventually the overtime winner by Miettinen.
Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the first round (31st overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Vanhanen sits fifth in the WHL and leads the Silvertips in scoring with 80 points (19G-61A) in 54 games. His 61 assists rank second in the WHL, trailing fellow 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers (71 assists).
On Wednesday, February 18, Vanhanen participated in the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass, representing Team West in Langley, B.C.
Heading into the final stretch of the 2025-26 WHL Regular Season, Vanhanen and the Silvertips are 50-7-2-1, having claimed the No. 1 seed in the WHL’s Western Conference.
Next up, Vanhanen and the Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks (27-26-5-1) Friday, March 6 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Watch the U.S. Division matchup FREE on Victory+.
Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month
September / October: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
January: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
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.
