Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight: Recent Western League grads celebrating milestones at NHL level

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.

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Owen Pickering celebrates milestone with Penguins

Owen Pickering is just six games into his NHL career and he’s already checking off items on his to-do list during his rookie year with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Having previously recorded his long-awaited NHL debut and first career point in mid-November, the WHL alumnus’ focus shifted to scoring a goal at the NHL level. And, it didn’t take long to cash.

Nine minutes into the first frame in Tuesday night’s tilt between the Penguins and the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, Pickering tickled twine with a patented blast from the point.

🚨 FIRST NHL GOAL ALERT 🚨

Congrats, Owen Pickering! 🐧 pic.twitter.com/Ei0xpgo5Ym

— NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024

“Obviously, it’s something you dream of from the time you’re three,” Pickering said to local media post-game. “To be able to have that and to be able to get the win at the end of the night is pretty cool.”

Pickering, 20, is playing in his first season with the Penguins organization, having graduated from the WHL following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. The blueliner spent parts of four seasons in the WHL and the Swift Current Broncos organization. In 205 appearances in ‘Speedy Creek,’ Pickering collected 27 goals and 106 assists for 133 points. He also served as the Broncos captain during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

Pickering was the Penguins’ first-round selection (21st overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, Que.

Wheat Kings alumnus Cole Reinhardt injects energy into Senators lineup

Cole Reinhardt understands that an opportunity to play in the NHL is not a frequent occurrence.

So, when the Brandon Wheat Kings alumnus was recalled by the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 25, he was poised to make his presence felt in the lineup. His move to the ‘big league’ marked the second time the forward’s offensive services were needed this season, as he hit the ice with the Sens on two occasions in October.

Now, back with the organization, Reinhardt and his hard-nosed style of play have already paid dividends on the scoresheet for the Atlantic Division club. On the same day he was bumped up to the main roster, the Calgary, Alta. product found the back of the net for the first time in his NHL career. And, while already memorable, the forward’s first-ever National League tuck also came against his hometown team, the Calgary Flames.

Additionally, his tally – a tap-in on the backdoor – was assisted by his current linemate and former Wheat Kings teammate, Ridly Greig.

FIRST NHL GOAL FOR COLE REINHARDT! 🤩

📺: @SportsOnPrimeCA ➡️ https://t.co/93veFI9jrZ pic.twitter.com/NpuNCuK41J

— NHL (@NHL) November 26, 2024

“It’s what you dream of. I know that sounds cliche, but, I mean, just from your first game to the first goal is pretty surreal,” Reinhardt shared to Ottawa media.

While Reinhardt notched his first goal during the 2024-25 NHL season, the forward’s debut came three seasons prior when he first touched NHL ice on April 7, 2022, against the Nashville Predators.

Reinhardt was originally selected in the sixth round, 181st overall by the Senators at the 2020 NHL Draft, and has been a staple on the AHL’s Belleville Senators lineup for the last five seasons. With Belleville, the WHL alumnus has amassed 113 points (45 goals–68 assists) in 236 games.

Dustin Wolf the alpha among rookie NHL netminders

Having asserted his dominance in both the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, it was only a matter of time until Dustin Wolf’s goaltending prowess found its way to the National Hockey League.

Serving as one of two netminders on the Calgary Flames roster, Wolf has taken command of the crease in his first full-time stint in the NHL. Through 13 starts during the 2024-25 season, the Everett Silvertips alumnus boasts a record of 8-4-1, while owning a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.59 and a save percentage (SV %) of .918.

His early season stat line leads all rookie netminders – with five or more starts – in the win, SV %, and GAA categories. The product of Gilroy, Calif., is also one of two first-year puck stoppers who’ve recorded a shutout during the regular season.

Dustin Wolf has been HOT. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ulIih1EhVF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 20, 2024

And, while impressive, Wolf’s rookie performance isn’t a surprise for those who have followed the American’s budding career. During his four-season tenure with the Silvertips, Wolf recorded an all-time record of 106-34-4-2, along with a net SV % of .935 per cent and a GAA of 1.84. The netminder was also crowned the CHL’s Goaltender of the Year on one occasion and the WHL’s Goaltender of the Year twice.

His time with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers was no different, as the WHL alumnus, once again, cemented himself as a top talent between the pipes. In parts of three seasons with the Flames’ AHL affiliates, Wolf was awarded the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s Best Goaltender twice and was named the AHL’s Most Valuable Player once.

Wolf was selected by the Flames in the seventh round, 214th overall at the 2019 NHL Draft.