Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight: Milestones, debuts, and sibling rivalries take the stage
With over 100 graduates currently featured on NHL rosters, the Western Hockey League prides itself as one of the finest development leagues in the World.
By way of the Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight, we aim to highlight notable achievements set by our alumni at the highest level of professional hockey.
Connor Bedard nets 100th career NHL point
Toe, drag, release.
With a goal in Tuesday night’s tilt against the Calgary Flames, Connor Bedard added to his always-growing NHL resume – and it came in what can only be described as a ‘vintage’ tally from the 19-year-old sensation.
Posted up on the right hash marks of the Flames’ zone, the WHL alumnus wired home his 12th goal of the 2024-25 campaign with the laser-like wrist shot he patented during his time with the Regina Pats.
But, the tally was slightly more significant than simply reaching the dozen mark for the second straight season. Instead, it went down as Bedard’s 100th career point at the NHL level.
CONNOR BEDARD! 🚨
That's the 100th point of his career!
🇺🇸: @NHLNetwork
🇨🇦: @SportsOnPrimeCA ➡️ https://t.co/93veFI9jrZ pic.twitter.com/J7ZpyEWooe— NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2025
Achieved in just his 112th regular season appearance, the Chicago Blackhawks’ star became the 24th teenager in NHL history to reach the 100-point threshold. Bedard is also the fastest player to complete the feat since three-time Stanley Cup Champion and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who reached the century mark in his first 80 games.
Since making the jump to the National League, Bedard has been turning heads across the League with his offensive flair. With 61 points (22 goals–39 assists) in 68 skates with the Blackhawks last season, the North Vancouver, B.C. product locked up the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year and was also named to the All-Rookie Team.
The story was no different during his tenure in the WHL. In three seasons with the Regina Pats, the exceptional status forward collected 271 points (134 goals–137 assists) in 134 career games – including 143 points (71 goals–72 assists) during the 2022-23 WHL Season. Bedard was then selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2023 NHL Draft.
Connor Bedard has joined some good company 👀 pic.twitter.com/vf8KIy9REY
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) January 14, 2025
Sibling showdowns take NHL spotlight
Going head-to-head with your sibling in a spirited tilt of mini sticks is one thing. But, battling that same sibling in front of a roaring crowd at the NHL level is another.
Yet, that’s exactly what the Dach and Geekie households experienced earlier this month.
On January 3, WHL Champion Colton Dach took to the ice for his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks. And, facing off against him would be his older brother Kirby Dach – a budding star on the Montreal Canadiens roster.
Both originally drafted to the Blackhawks organization, Colton and Kirby briefly shared joint paths in the Windy City. But, a trade in July 2022 nixed a long-term reunion as Kirby found a new home in Montreal.
In what would be the first time the two brothers would go head-to-head in their playing careers, Colton was relieved to know he’d see a familiar face across the ice.
“I think it’s just going to make me feel more comfortable being able to see him across the ice on the other bench,” the power forward said to local media prior to his debut.
The 22-year-old also joked that he might need to lower his tenacity when battling his brother.
“I think my mom will want us to keep it family-friendly out there.”
Enjoy the moment, Colton Dach! 👏 pic.twitter.com/YuCYVuCdJ1
— NHL (@NHL) January 4, 2025
In his first twirl with the Blackhawks, Colton logged a total of 11 minutes while racking up five hits and five shots on goal while Kirby notched a power-play assist.
Since his debut, the rookie has made a total of six appearances with the Blackhawks where he has collected two assists. Kirby is currently in his sixth season in the NHL and boasts 16 points in 43 games with the Canadiens, this season.
The two brothers have deeply-rooted ties in the Western League. Colton spent parts of five seasons spread between the Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Rockets, and Seattle Thunderbirds, while Kirby spent three seasons as a member of the Blades.
Colton Dach is making his NHL debut tonight against his brother, Kirby 🥹
(h/t @NHLBlackhawks) pic.twitter.com/sVIF5trx7w
— BarDown (@BarDown) January 4, 2025
Less than a week later, the second of two ‘brother battles’ involving WHL alumni took place. This time in Central Florida, a regularly scheduled meeting between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning was the battleground for another chapter in Conor and Morgan Geekie’s sibling rivalry.
Like the Dach brothers, the clash between Atlantic Division rivals also marked the first time Conor and Morgan would meet at the NHL level.
But, if including skates on local outdoor rinks during their childhood, their meeting in the National League was just one of countless.
And, it was an opportunity that Conor eagerly awaited.
“I think it’s gonna be fun. A lot of emotions, I think, but we’re both pretty competitive people,” Conor Geekie said to local media prior to the game. “I’d say one (me) probably more than the other, so I think it’s gonna be an interesting game.”
After spending five seasons in the WHL, a 20-year-old Conor made the jump to being a full-time NHLer ahead of the 2024-25 NHL Season.
The product of Strathclair, Man., made his National League debut with Lightning on October 11. Since then, the former Wenatchee Wild and Swift Current Broncos scorer has skated in 40 regular season games and has totalled up 12 points (six goals– six assists).
Morgan, who owns a six-year gap over Conor, was selected in the third round (67th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes and boasts 297 career NHL appearances.
Prior to his time in the NHL, the 26-year-old spent four seasons with the Tri-City Americans, collecting 202 points (78 goals – 124 assists) in 216 games.
Geek Squad 😁
The Geekie brothers are facing off tonight for the first time in the NHL!
Fun fact: the @NHLBruins are hosting their annual moms trip, so mama Geekie will be in the crowd tonight! pic.twitter.com/hWOzF9pwFL
— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025