Raiders defenceman Cripps named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Brock Cripps has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, May 10.

Cripps, a 16-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., recorded two points (1G-1A) in two games as the Raiders split the opening two games of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

Friday, May 8, in Game 1 of the WHL Championship, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-shot rearguard tallied a primary assist on a power-play goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes. The marker put Prince Albert in front by a 2-1 score with 4:53 to play in the second period. The Raiders went on to a 4-2 victory.

Saturday, May 9, in Game 2, Cripps hit the back of the net with his first goal of the WHL Championship. With his team trailing 3-0, the rookie blueliner registered a power-play tally 4:24 into the second period, giving the Raiders life. Though Prince Albert wasn’t able to complete the comeback, Cripps finished with an even rating and two shots on goal in the contest.

Through 17 WHL Playoff games, Cripps has secured 19 points (4G-15A) to rank second in rookie scoring, trailing only Matias Vanhanen of the Silvertips (10G-11A–21 points). Heading into Game 3 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series, Cripps is riding a five-game point scoring streak, having tallied six points (1G-5A) along the way.

Widely considered a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft, Cripps enjoyed a great rookie season in the WHL, posting 37 points (6G-31A) in 62 games. He was originally selected by the Raiders in the first round (second overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

The best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is tied 1-1 through two games. Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 12, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild
December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals
December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild
January 5, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 12, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 19, 2026: Prab Bhathal, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 26, 2026: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
February 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
February 9, 2026: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
February 16, 2026: Jonah Sivertson, Prince Albert Raiders
February 23, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
March 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Easton Daneault, Lethbridge Hurricanes
March 16, 2026: Ben Harvey, Prince Albert Raiders
March 23, 2026: Poul Andersen, Red Deer Rebels
March 30, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders
April 6, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
April 13, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
April 20, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
April 27, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders
May 4, 2025: Owen Corkish, Prince Albert Raiders

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.