Thirty WHL Alumni participating in 2026 Stanley Cup Final
CAROLINA HURRICANES LED BY BLAZERS ALUMNUS STANKOVEN; VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS CAPTAINED BY WHEAT KINGS ALUMNUS STONE
Calgary, B.C. – A total of 30 Western Hockey League alumni will compete in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, beginning Tuesday, June 2, in Raleigh, N.C.
The Carolina Hurricanes will take to the ice with three forwards hailing from the WHL, including Seth Jarvis, Jordan Martinook, and Logan Stankoven.
The Vegas Golden Knights roster features an impressive 12 WHL Alumni, including captain Mark Stone and defenceman Shea Theodore. The Golden Knights roster was constructed by General Manager Kelly McCrimmon, who previously served as the longtime GM and Owner of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.
LIST OF WHL ALUMNI PARTICIPATING IN 2026 STANLEY CUP FINAL
(last WHL Club listed)
Carolina Hurricanes (6)
Players (3): Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks), Jordan Martinook (Vancouver Giants), Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers)
Staff (3): Eric Fink (Amateur Scout; Portland Winterhawks), Cody Nickolet (Amateur Scout; Saskatoon Blades), Kevin McCarthy (Development Coach; Winnipeg Clubs)
Vegas Golden Knights (24)
Players (12): Dylan Coghlan (Tri-City Americans), Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips), Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks), Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors), Keegan Kolesar (Seattle Thunderbirds), Kaedan Korczak (Kelowna Rockets), Brayden McNabb (Kootenay ICE), Akira Schmid (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Colton Sissons (Kelowna Rockets), Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings), Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds), Kai Uchacz (Red Deer Rebels)
Staff (12): Kelly McCrimmon (General Manager; Brandon Wheat Kings), Scott Boggs (Equipment Manager; Calgary Hitmen), Bob Lowes (Director of Player Personnel; Brandon Wheat Kings), Tim Speltz (General Manager, Henderson Silver Knights; Spokane Chiefs), Scott Luce (Senior Advisor; Moose Jaw Warriors), Jim McKenzie (Director of Professional Scouting; Victoria Cougars), Kelly Kisio (Pro Scout; Calgary Hitmen), Mick McCrimmon (Pro Scout; Brandon Wheat Kings), Craig Cunningham (Pro Scout; Portland Winterhawks), Bruno Campese (Amateur Scout; Kelowna Rockets), Brad McEwen (Amateur Scout; Medicine Hat Tigers), Nick Holden (Development Coach; Chilliwack Bruins)
KEY STORYLINES
Former Warriors captain Howden powering Golden Knights
Brett Howden, who played for the Moose Jaw Warriors from 2013-14 through 2017-18, has registered 12 points (10G-2A) in 16 playoff games this season. The 28-year-old product of Oakbank, Man., is tied for first in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 goals. Howden served as Warriors captain for two seasons (2016-17, 2017-18) and played in 248 career WHL regular season games, tallying 267 points (109G-158A). He was a member of the Golden Knights Stanley Cup championship squad in 2023.
Former Blazers captain Stankoven driving Hurricanes
Logan Stankoven, who played for the Kamloops Blazers from 2018-19 through 2022-23, has registered 12 points (9G-3A) in 13 playoff games this season. The 23-year-old product of Kamloops, B.C., ranks third in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with nine goals. Stankoven served as Blazers captain for two seasons (2021-22, 2022-23) and played in 179 career WHL regular season games, tallying 260 points (115G-145A). He filled his trophy cabinet as a WHL star, being named WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (2021-22), WHL Humanitarian of the Year (2022-23), WHL Player of the Year (2021-22), and CHL Player of the Year (2021-22). During the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, Stankoven led the tournament in scoring and was named Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Former Silvertips netminder Hart backstopping Golden Knights
Carter Hart, who played for the Everett Silvertips from 2013-14 through 2017-18, has backstopped the Golden Knights through the Stanley Cup Playoffs, going 12-4 with a 2.22 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. The 27-year-old product of Sherwood Park, Alta., was well decorated during his WHL career, being named WHL Goaltender of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18). He capped his WHL career by being named WHL Player of the Year in 2017-18. Over 190 career WHL appearances, Hart logged a record of 116-46-22 with a 2.01 GAA, .927 SV%, and 26 shutouts. Hart’s 26 shutouts are tied for the most in WHL history, matching Tyson Sexsmith (Vancouver Giants).
Former Thunderbirds defenceman Theodore provides two-way presence for Golden Knights
Shea Theodore, who played for the Seattle Thunderbirds from 2010-11 though 2014-15, leads all NHL defencemen remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 11 points (4G-7A) in 16 games. His 11 points are tied for fourth overall. The 30-year-old product of Langley, B.C., was named WHL Defenceman of the Year in 2014-15 and served as captain of the Thunderbirds that same season. Over 257 career WHL regular season contests, Theodore logged 212 points (58G-154A). He was a member of the Golden Knights Stanley Cup championship squad in 2023.
Former Wheat Kings captain Stone leads Golden Knights in pursuit of second Stanley Cup
Mark Stone, who played for the Brandon Wheat Kings from 2008-09 through 2011-12, serves as captain of the Vegas Golden Knights and has scored nearly a point per game with 10 points (5G-5A) in 11 outings. The 34-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., was named WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player in 2011-12 and played 232 career WHL regular season games, registering 296 points (106G-190A) along the way. Stone previously captained the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup title in 2023.
2026 Stanley Cup Final Schedule
Tuesday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Vegas at Carolina
Thursday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Vegas at Carolina
Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Carolina at Vegas
Tuesday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Carolina at Vegas
*Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Vegas at Carolina
*Sunday, June 14 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Carolina at Vegas
*Wednesday, June 17 at 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT – Vegas at Carolina
* = if necessary
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.
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