WHL Alumni Spotlight: Accomplishments steeped in stories of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication
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 WHL Alumni Spotlight, we aim to highlight notable achievements set by our alumni at the highest level of professional hockey on a week-to-week basis.
This is what our WHL Alumni were up to over the last week.
WHL Champion Malenstyn skates in 100th career NHL game
The road to becoming an NHL regular for Beck Malenstyn has been far from linear. However, it’s a path the WHL alumnus has learned and evolved from nonetheless. Selected in the fifth round (145th overall) by the Washington Capitals at the 2016 NHL Draft, Malenstyn spent the first five years of his professional career either rehabbing injuries or skating with the Capitals’ AHL-affiliate club, the Hershey Bears. Given just brief stints with the Capitals at first, Malenstyn was tasked with leaving a lasting impact on the organization in his small sample size of appearances.
💯 for 47 on 4/7#ALLCAPS | @LeidosInc pic.twitter.com/L8dfuylKxn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 7, 2024
Now, having spent the 2023-24 NHL Regular Season as a full-time face on the Caps roster, the forward is celebrating an important milestone in his playing career. On April 7, Malenstyn suited up for his 100th-career NHL game.
While reaching the century mark in NHL appearances is worth the recognition, the 26-year-old was in familiar territory. He’s been celebrating career highs all season long. Heading into this season, Malenstyn only skated in 24 career games in the National League, collecting just two points (one goal—one assist). In this season alone, he’s made 77 appearances with the Capitals while setting career highs in goals (6), assists (14), and points (20). Through all 101 games in the NHL, Malenstyn has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points.
Beck Malenstyn gets his first goal of the season to double the Devils lead! 👏 pic.twitter.com/XtOS6tTytt
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 11, 2023
A product of Delta, B.C., Malenstyn’s roots lie in the WHL. A Calgary Hitmen and Swift Current Broncos alumnus, Malenstyn spent parts of five seasons in the Western League — collecting 128 points (65 goals—63 assists) in 238 appearances. During the 2017-18 season, he was traded from Calgary to the Swift Current before becoming a WHL Champion with the Broncos in May 2018.
Malenstyn was selected 18th overall by the Calgary Hitmen at the 2013 WHL Prospects Draft.
Four WHL alumni named Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominees
As one of the NHL’s annual awards, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is presented to a player that best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport of hockey.
From stories of recovery from ailment to the fortitude of one’s character, the award celebrates the path the recipient took in order to return to or regain their love for the game.
On April 5, four WHL alumni — Laurent Brossoit, Connor Ingram, Noah Juulsen, and Curtis Lazar — were named nominees for this season’s Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
For Edmonton Oil Kings alumni Laurent Brossoit, years spent battling injuries hampered his formative seasons in the NHL. After being selected in the sixth round (164th overall) by the Calgary Flames at the 2011 NHL Draft, Brossoit bounced between three clubs (Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Vegas Golden Knights) before finding his groove in his second stint with the Jets. Through 20 regular season starts this season, the 31-year-old has recorded one of his best years to date — boasting a 13-5-2 record, a goals-against average of 2.66, and a save percentage of .910%. At the junior level, Broissoit was crowned a WHL Champion and Playoffs MVP with the Oil Kings during the 2012 WHL Playoffs.
Connor Ingram’s journey to becoming the Arizona Coyotes’ starting netminder has been nothing short of inspirational. And it’s tales like Ingram’s that make him the perfect nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. In January 2021, the puck stopper, who was coping with undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder and lingering depression, entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in the hopes of understanding what was going on with him. With the help of therapy, Ingram, a Kamloops Blazers alumnus, was able to reignite his love of the game and his career as a professional netminder. Starting as a Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, the product of Imperial, Sask., travelled west before finding a home in Arizona. Now, Ingram has spent the 2023-24 regular season rewriting his career highs in all facets of his game. In 45 starts this season, the 27-year-old has 21 wins (15 more than the season prior), a goals-against average of 2.86, and a save percentage of .909. Ingram also sits tied for first among all NHL goaltenders in shutouts, with six.
Nothing's been given, everything's been earned for Connor Ingram.
He discusses his nomination for the NHL's Masterton Trophy. pic.twitter.com/tjK1bpdlkM
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 6, 2024
A former captain of the Everett Silvertips, Noah Juulsen spent four full seasons in the WHL before taking his playing career to the professional level. Selected in the first round (26th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens at the 2015 NHL Draft, the Surrey, B.C., native never quite found his footing in the NHL until he found a home with his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. Acquired from the Florida Panthers in October 2021, Juulsen spent a handful of seasons honing his craft in the AHL before joining the Canucks on a full-time basis for the 2023-24 season. The 27-year-old has now found his stride, recording career-highs in games played (53), assists (six), and points (seven) this season. In 121 NHL appearances, the defenceman has collected three goals and 14 assists for 17 points.
Noah Juulsen's FIRST in #Canucks colours❗️ pic.twitter.com/lClhwduWVl
— X – Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) February 18, 2024
Edmonton Oil Kings alumnus Curtis Lazar isn’t your prototypical ‘nice guy.’ He’s more than that. A Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee for a third time in his career, Lazar has quickly become a meaningful player both on and off the ice for the New Jersey Devils. Not only does the 29-year-old have his teammates raving about him, but his third time being nominated for the award also provides a clear insight into Lazar’s character and commitment to his teammates, family, and the greater community. Acquired by the Devils during the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Lazar never got the full opportunity to showcase his on-ice talents, partially tearing his MCL late last season. Having suited up in 71 games since then, the WHL graduate is posting a career year. With 25 points (seven goals—18 assists) during this season’s campaign, Lazar has already eclipsed his single-season point total — previously set at 23 during the 2017-18 regular season with the Calgary Flames. Lazar won two WHL Championships and the 2014 Memorial Cup as a member of the Oil Kings.
Something even Luke would be on board for.
Congrats to Curtis on his nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
More info: https://t.co/tMXrxkplWk pic.twitter.com/QTP0AiMP5A
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 5, 2024
A week full of scoring propels Oilers’ Draisaitl up several record books
Leon Draisaitl had no issues keeping busy last week. From recording 100-plus points in a single season for the fifth time in his career to becoming the first German-born player to record 500 career assists in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers superstar did it all — and more. Along with his fifth, 100-point campaign, Draisaitl also became the fourth active NHL skater to record five career, 40-goal seasons — behind Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (13), Toronto’s Auston Matthews (6), and Steven Stamkos (6). The product of Cologne, Germany currently sits tied for seventh in league scoring with 102 points (40 goals—62 assists) in 76 regular season appearances.
Leon Draisaitl hits the 100-point mark for the FIFTH time in his career! ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/d3JmNPoDR0
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2024
The first German player to dish out NHL assist No. 500 – congratulations to @edmontonoilers forward, Leon Draisaitl 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/im7V8cui9s
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) April 6, 2024
100-point seasons are no stranger to Draisaitl either. In a three-season tenure in the WHL (spent with the Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets), the 28-year-old hit the century mark with the Raiders during the 2013-14 WHL season. His 105 points (38 goals—67 assists) in 64 games placed him tied for fourth in points behind Spokane Chiefs’ alumnus, Mitch Holmberg (118), and Portland Winterhawks’ alumni Nicolas Petan (113) and Oliver Bjorkstrand (109). Draisaitl graduated from the WHL as a WHL Champion, WHL Playoffs MVP, and the recipient of the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the Memorial Cup’s MVP.
The Raiders selected Draisaitl second overall at the 2012 CHL Import Draft.
Death, taxes, and Leon Draisaitl having 40-goal seasons. pic.twitter.com/FYuIl1lelG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2024