Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen named 2026 WHL Playoffs MVP

Prince Albert, Sask. – Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen has been named the 2026 WHL Playoff MVP.

The WHL Playoff MVP award is presented to a player deemed to have made the strongest contribution to his Club throughout the WHL Playoffs, as voted by members of the media.

The prospect of the Seattle Kraken is the first Finnish-born player to earn WHL Playoff MVP honours, and only the second import player to accomplish the feat, following former Kelowna Rockets star Leon Draisaitl, who made history in 2014.

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound centre helped Everett claim the franchise’s first Ed Chynoweth Cup. The Silvertips had previously appeared in two WHL Championships, including during the team’s expansion season (2003-04) and most recently in 2017-18.

Selected by the Kraken in the second round (40th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Miettinen tallied 27 points to finish tied for the scoring lead in the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien,

Originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (30th overall) of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, the 20-year-old product of Helsinki, Finland, had his way during the WHL Championship, recording nine points.

Miettinen scored in four of the five games of the WHL Championship, and he collected multipoint efforts in four of the five outings as well.

In Game 2 at Angels of the Winds Arena, the power forward posted four points (1G-3A), including three primary helpers, as the Silvertips registered a 6-2 win to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Game 3 at the Art Hauser Centre represented the only contest in which Miettinen was limited to one point. But he made that one point count, tallying the game-winning goal with only 4:28 to go in regulation, breaking a 2-2 tie and vaulting the Silvertips to a 3-2 victory and 2-1 series lead.

Miettinen is the first forward to be named WHL Playoff MVP since Glenn Gawdin of the Swift Current Broncos in 2018.

Over 154 career WHL regular season games, Miettinen has logged 182 points (77G-105A).

WHL Playoff MVPs

2025 – Harrison Meneghin, Medicine Hat Tigers
2024 – Denton Mateychuk, Moose Jaw Warriors
2023 – Thomas Milic, Seattle Thunderbirds
2022 – Kaiden Guhle, Edmonton Oil Kings
2021 – not presented due to COVID-19
2020 – not presented due to COVID-19
2019 – Ian Scott, Prince Albert Raiders
2018 – Glenn Gawdin, Swift Current Broncos
2017 – Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds
2016 – Nolan Patrick, Brandon Wheat Kings
2015 –  Leon Draisaitl, Kelowna Rockets
2014 – Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings
2013 – Ty Rattie, Portland Winterhawks
2012 – Laurent Brossoit, Edmonton Oil Kings
2011 – Nathan Lieuwen, Kootenay ICE
2010 – Martin Jones, Calgary Hitmen
2009 – Tyler Myers, Kelowna Rockets
2008 – Tyler Johnson, Spokane Chiefs
2007 – Matt Keetley, Medicine Hat Tigers
2006 – Gilbert Brule, Vancouver Giants
2005 – Shea Weber, Kelowna Rockets
2004 – Kevin Nastiuk, Medicine Hat Tigers
2003 – Jesse Schultz, Kelowna Rockets
2002 – Duncan Milroy, Kootenay ICE
2001 – Shane Bendera, Red Deer Rebels
2000 – Dan Blackburn, Kootenay ICE
1999 – Brad Moran, Calgary Hitmen
1998 – Brent Belecki, Portland Winter Hawks
1997 – Blaine Russell, Lethbridge Hurricanes
1996 – Bobby Brown, Brandon Wheat Kings
1995 – Nolan Baumgartner, Kamloops Blazers
1994 – Steve Passmore, Kamloops Blazers
1993 – Andrew Schneider, Swift Current Broncos
1992 – Jarrett Deuling, Kamloops Blazers