Thunderbirds forward England named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Seattle Thunderbirds forward Brock England has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, November 16, 2025.

England, a 16-year-old product of Red Deer, Alta., recorded six points (2G-4A) in two games as the Thunderbirds went 1-0-1-0 this past week.

Fresh off winning gold with Canada Red at the 2025 U17 World Challenge, England returned to the Thunderbirds lineup for the first time since October 25 and had an immediate impact, tallying three points (1G-2A) as Seattle earned a 4-1 win over the Wenatchee Wild on Tuesday, November 11. Midway through the first period, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound centre set up Antonio Martorana to give Seattle an early 2-0 advantage. Early in the third period, England once again connected with Martorana, giving the Thunderbirds a 3-1 edge. Less than five minutes later, it was England find the back of the net, scoring his seventh goal of the season to pad Seattle’s lead for good. The rookie forward was named first star of the game for his performance.

Friday, November 14, England was back it, posting his second consecutive three-point night (1G-2A) as the Thunderbirds fell 5-4 in overtime to the visiting Prince Albert Raiders. England opened the scoring 11:18 into the first period, converting on a power-play opportunity. With Seattle trailing 3-2 after 40 minutes of play, the dynamic duo of England and Martorana connected once again, with the rookie setting up the veteran. Midway through the period, England provided the primary assist on a power-play marker from Sawyer Mayes, giving Seattle a 4-3 lead. Though the Raiders came back to secure the overtime win, England was named first star of the game for another three-point outing.

The three-point games represent career highs for England. In 14 games this season, the rookie forward has already notched six multipoint contests. With 17 points (8G-9A) in 14 games, England sits tied for eighth in scoring among all WHL rookies and second among all 16-year-old rookies.

Originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the first round (11th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, England made his WHL debut January 10, 2025, tallying two points (1G-1A) in a 6-5 loss at Tri-City. In 17 career WHL regular season games, England has secured 20 points (10G-10A).

Coming out of the weekend, the Thunderbirds (8-8-2-0) are ninth in the WHL’s Western Conference, having collected points in three straight outings (2-0-1-0).

Next up, England and the Thunderbirds host the Victoria Royals (9-8-2-1) Friday, November 21 (7:05 p.m. PT) at accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, Wash.

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

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.