WHL Alumni Spotlight: Future stars and veteran leaders celebrate season-ending accomplishments
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.
Coyotes’ Guenther celebrates 21st birthday with first four-point night
Most recently-turned 21-year-olds celebrate their milestone birthday by grabbing a drink at a local bar with family and friends or by purchasing some lottery tickets at a nearby convenience store.
But that’s not Dylan Guenther’s style. Instead, the Arizona Coyotes’ forward welcomed in his 21st birthday by recording his first career four-point night in the NHL (one goal–three assists).
A four-point night for Dylan Guenther on his 21st birthday. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/CUVeEY9gFi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 11, 2024
A factor in every Coyotes goal during their 4-3 overtime win on April 10 against the Vancouver Canucks, Guenther capped off his special evening by being named the game’s first star of the night. Since turning 21, the second-year Yote has continued to score at an impressive clip, recording six points (three goals–three assists) in his last three games. Through 44 appearances this season, the product of Edmonton, Alta. boasts 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points. His recent outburst of scoring also helped him double his career-high in points (15) set in the season prior.
WATCH: All FOUR of Dylan Guenther’s points in the Yotes’ 4-3 OT win. pic.twitter.com/EYGLaFRbWL
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 11, 2024
Guenther, a former member of the Edmonton Oil Kings and Seattle Thunderbirds, spent parts of five seasons in the WHL. Collecting 207 points (99 goals–108 assists) in 157 career regular season games, the former first overall selection at the 2018 WHL Prospects Draft graduated the League as a back-to-back, two-time WHL Champion with the Oil Kings in 2022 and the Thunderbirds in 2023. In 38 career playoff games, Guenther boasts 49 points (29 goals–20 assists).
Guenther was also awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, as the WHL’s Rookie of the Year. His 59 points (26 goals–33 assists) in 58 games placed him second in scoring among all WHL rookies.
Winterhawks alumnus Jarvis shines in special teams role with the Hurricanes
Winners of six straight games from April 5-14, the Carolina Hurricanes have found their groove as they gear up for the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And, standing at the forefront of their recent bout of success is Portland Winterhawks alumnus, Seth Jarvis.
With four goals in his last three appearances, Jarvis’ point production levels are ramping up as the start of the postseason crawls closer. However, the 22-year-old’s ability to generate offence was never in question. Closing out what’s been a breakout season and a career year with the Hurricanes, Jarvis has already blazed past his several career-highs set in the season prior. He now claims a new high of 33 goals, 34 assists, and 67 points (34 assists) through 81 games this season. The crafty forward’s high-scoring style of play also places him second among his Hurricanes teammates in goals, assists, and points. Through 231 regular season games at the NHL level, Jarvis brags 146 points (64 goals–82 assists).
The #Canes called, and Jarvy answered 📞 pic.twitter.com/tSe9D5QfOu
— x – Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 13, 2024
Along with his recent scoring output, Jarvis has also found a plethora of success within the Hurricanes’ special team ranks. Recording two power-play goals during a visit to Chicago on April 14, the product of Winnipeg, Man. tied a Hurricanes record for the most power-play goals on the road in a single season, with 10. Jarvis now shares the record with former Hurricanes captain, Eric Staal.
Picked 11th overall by the Winterhawks during the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft, Jarvis spent four seasons lighting the lamp across the Pacific Northwest. In 159 career appearances in the Western League, the forward collected 73 goals, 93 assists, and 166 points while averaging 1.08 points per game. Of his 73 career WHL goals, 15 came on the power play.
Carolina’s 13th-overall selection at the 2020 NHL Draft, Jarvis graduated the Western League as the WHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and a First Team All-Star following the 2019-20 season.
Sabres’ Zach Benson ends first NHL season on a high note
As one of four players and two WHL alumni from the 2023 NHL Draft class to play in over 40 games this season, Zach Benson’s climb to the National League as an 18-year-old is worth the celebration alone. Yet, the budding star for the Buffalo Sabres wanted more out of his first season at the professional level. Benson rounded out his inaugural season with seven points (two goals–five assists) in his final seven games – including his 11th career goal during the Sabres’ final game of the season on April 15.
Finishing the season with 30 points (11 goals–19 assists) in 71 appearances, Benson ended his campaign as the 11th highest-scoring rookie across the NHL and first among the Sabres’ newbies. His 71 skates with the Sabres also led the class of 2023 in games played.
Zach Benson with the tip on Jeff Skinner's shot 🙌#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/xQOyqRB9TC
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 11, 2024
The 2005-born forward further celebrated his successful season by etching his name into Buffalo’s record database by collecting the most even-strength goals in an individual season by a skater aged 18 or younger. With his 11 goals at even strength, Benson eclipsed the previous record set by Phil Housley during the 1982-83 NHL season.
Prior to being selected 13th overall by the Sabres at the NHL Draft in June 2023, Benson made a home in the WHL with both the Winnipeg ICE and Wenatchee Wild. In 142 regular season appearances in the Western League, the product of Chilliwack, B.C. collected 182 points (71 goals–110 assists). Benson was a driving force for the ICE during the 2022-23 season, helping steer the Club to an appearance at the 2023 WHL Championship Series against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
WHL alumni Morrissey and Schenn named nominees for King Clancy Memorial Trophy
The NHL recently announced the 32 nominees for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually “to the player that best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.” Representing the WHL as both alumni and nominees for the leadership-based award are Winnipeg Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey and St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.
Serving as a Jets alternate captain for the last five seasons, Morrissey is known by the Winnipeg community as a leader and role model both on and off the ice. In a nine-season tenure equating to 582 career games with the Jets, Morrissey has collected 66 goals and 245 assists for 311 points. While a backbone on the blueline since he permanently earned a spot in the lineup during the 2016-17 season, Morrissey’s on-ice production has erupted in recent years. After setting a career-high 76 points (16 goals—60 assists) last season, the product of Calgary, Alta. replicated a similar result in his most recent campaign. Through 81 games, Morrissey’s 69 points (10 goals—59 assists) leads all Jets defenders.
Josh Morrissey is our nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy!
This award is presented to the player who "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community."
Congratulations JMo 💙 pic.twitter.com/UhjULn9a4h
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) April 17, 2024
In five seasons at the WHL, Morrissey’s accomplishments also filtered past the ice. The Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets alumnus was named the CHL and WHL Scholastic Player of the Year following the 2012-13 season. Morrissey also won the 2013 WHL Championship as a member of the Kelowna Rockets and posted 196 points (66 goals—130 assists) in 249 regular season appearances at the Western League.
Taking up the mantle of St. Louis Blues captain at the start of the 2023-24 season, former Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades forward Brayden Schenn had large shoes to fill from a leadership perspective. Now, having been named a nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for a second straight season, Schenn’s community-first mentality has been clearly noted. A common fixture in many Blues initiatives, including several community outreach events, Schenn has developed from a hockey player to a hockey-playing role model in the local St. Louis community. The product of Saskatoon, Sask. also has his own initiative, Schenn’s Friends. The program gives suite tickets to patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and their families, along with a jersey and a meet-and-greet with Schenn during Blues home games.
Brayden Schenn has been nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which is given annually to the player who "best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community." #stlblues https://t.co/gP4QuHSXiM
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 17, 2024
We had some special guests recently: patients, families and staff from Friends of Kids With Cancer's Art Therapy program! They even got to meet Brayden Schenn and show him their work. https://t.co/hXZRdRZXsr pic.twitter.com/P0dou2nYTX
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 9, 2024
Schenn also proved to be an exceptional leader during his time with the Wheat Kings, serving as an alternate captain during the 2008-09 season before being named captain for the duration of the 2009-10 season. Through four seasons in the Western League, Schenn recorded 315 career points (116 goals—199 assists) in 244 regular season games. The WHL alumnus was also the recipient of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Rookie of the Year following the 2007-08 season.
Schenn was selected fifth overall by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Draft.
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