WHL announces finalists for Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 finalists for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Jim Piggott was the sole owner of the Saskatoon Blades and an original founding member of the WHL. Piggott served as Chairman of the Board, and along with Del Wilson, was one of the driving forces to bring the three Major Junior Leagues in Canada together under one roof.

Finalists for WHL Awards are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

Winners of 2026 WHL Awards will be announced from Tuesday, April 21, through Wednesday, May 6.

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy – Eastern Conference Finalists

Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen (Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.)
Ben MacBeath, Calgary Hitmen (Calgary, Alta.)
Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders (Victoria, B.C.)

Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy – Western Conference Finalists

JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers (Allen, Texas)
Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips (Nokia, Finland)
Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees (Burnsville, Minn.)

Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen

The 19-year-old product of Fort Saskatchewan, Sask., recorded 75 points (34G-41A) in 63 games, finishing second in Hitmen scoring and fourth among all WHL rookies. Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Dach recorded six multi-goal performances, including one hat trick during the regular season. Among WHL rookies, he finished third in goals (34) and sixth in assists (41). He led all WHL rookies with 32 power-play points. Dach’s eight game-winning goals were tops among all WHL rookies. Dach was originally selected by the Hitmen in the fifth round (95th overall) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.

Ben MacBeath, Calgary Hitmen

The 17-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., tallied 51 points (7G-44A) in 67 games, finishing fifth in scoring on the Hitmen and second among all WHL rookie defencemen. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-2, 181-pound MacBeath is ranked 20th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. The first-year WHL blueliner represented Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. MacBeath was originally selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the seventh round (136th overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders

The 16-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., registered 37 points (6G-31A) in 62 games, finishing third in scoring among Raiders defencemen and third among all Raiders rookies. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-shot rearguard enjoyed a career performance Tuesday, January 20, when he tallied four assists in a 12-2 triumph over his hometown Victoria Royals. From December 3-19, Cripps put together a career best point string of nine games, collecting 10 points (1G-9A) along the way. Originally selected by the Raiders in the first round (second overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Cripps made his WHL debut in 2024-25, skating in four games.

JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

The 17-year-old product of Allen, Texas, posted 97 points (42G-55A) in 68 games, finishing fourth in WHL scoring and first among all WHL rookies. The 6-foot, 182-pound right winger’s 42 goals were tied for fourth in the WHL and first among all WHL rookies. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Hurlbert is ranked 10th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. The first-year WHL forward represented Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, as well as Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. Hurlbert was originally selected by the Blazers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips

The 18-year-old product of Nokia, Finland, notched 87 points (21G-66A) in 62 games to lead the Silvertips in scoring as a rookie. His 66 helpers were second best among all WHL players. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound left winger is ranked 76th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. Vanhanen represented Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. He was originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (31st overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft.

Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees

The 18-year-old product of Burnsville, Minn., finished the campaign with 85 points (35G-50A) to lead the Vees in scoring. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound right winger logged 25 multi-point outings, including a career high four points on two occasions (October 4; January 10). Kvasnicka finished tied atop the WHL charts with four shorthanded goals. Selected by the New York Islanders in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Kvasnicka was acquired by the Vees this summer. He was originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE in the second round (34th overall) of the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

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.