WHL Stars of Tomorrow: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs

Mathis Preston lives by one motto – the bigger the stage, the better.

And, holding a max capacity of 9,916 seats, the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena works just perfect.

However, the 16-year-old forward couldn’t wait to play in front of his home crowd before properly acclimating himself to the wider WHL community. Instead, the product of Penticton, B.C. was on the road when he found the back of the net for the first time in his Western League career.

Facing off in Everett, Wash., on September 24, 2023, Preston nabbed the insurance marker in a 4-1 triumph over the Silvertips.

While it wasn’t, by his standards, the fanciest goal he’s ever scored, it was one that alleviated all the pressure he put on his shoulders.

“I was just trying to make simple plays, not overcomplicate things. Kind of got the puck in the slot, and it was kind of a lucky bounce, but I shot it top left I’m pretty sure,” Preston reminisced. “When I scored, it was just a huge relief because I want to score every shift. Don’t want to take any shifts off. So, that was definitely one I’ll never forget.”

15-year-old Mathis Preston lights the lamp for the first time as a Spokane Chief!@spokanechiefs | #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/k9HES2vjUd

— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 25, 2023

Feeding into his need to light the lamp at any chance he can get, Preston’s initial offensive spark ignited into a hot streak, as the then-15-year-old buried four goals in his five appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

His career-opening campaign was enough for the record books too, as the forward became the fourth 15-year-old in WHL history to score four goals in less than eight games.

But, according to Preston, if it wasn’t for the Chiefs’ coaching staff he may have never hit the achievement.

“They put me in a role that I could succeed in and that fit my gameplay,” he shared. “Having confidence in me helped me on the ice and knowing I can make plays and that I’m here and I’m good enough to be in the League too.”

While Preston was busy writing himself into the WHL’s record book, Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley watched from the press box – unsurprised by his impressive performance. Clearly happy for the prospect’s successes, Bardsley also admits that a performance of that calibre was almost predictable.

“I don’t know if I was surprised by it, but I was certainly excited. Excited for our team, excited for him that he was able to capitalize on those opportunities,” the manager explained. “They have a sense for the game. They have a nose for the net. You know, some of these goals he scored, he was anticipating where the puck was going to be and identified that.”

And PRESTO the lead is ours 🪄

Mathis Preston with his 3rd @TheWHL goal in just his 5th game – the most goals by a 15-year-old Chief ever! Apples for Berty and Feisty.#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/McGQfgJOKe

— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) March 24, 2024

And, looking back on the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Bardsley is relieved to have nabbed the star forward with the third-overall selection.

“We knew that he was certainly the guy that we really wanted. Again, he’s the type of player that I think fans get excited about. A type of guy that could be a game changer for you. We were quite excited when we were picking third and he was there.”

Preston, on the other hand, credits a portion of his early success to a pair of role models and current League regulars that he grew up with – his older brother, Nathan Preston, and his childhood friend, Cole Wadsworth. Since his selection by the Chiefs, the duo have been busy teaching the top prospect about the junior hockey lifestyle. A lifestyle that Preston is thrilled to adopt.

“I was friends with Cole Wadsworth – he was [in Spokane] before he just got trained to Kamloops. When I had an idea I was going there, he told me quite a bit about the organization and stuff. And that was pretty fun to fun to hear about it,” Preston said. “[Nathan] definitely told me a lot about how hard the League is, and you really have to be dedicated and love the game and that sort of thing. He was huge for that and he’s been a huge help my whole life. Honestly, he’s been a huge mentor for me, and I look up to him a lot.”

With a season full of lessons in hand, Preston is ready to hit the ice on a full-time basis come September. And, of course, lighting the lamp all along the way.

The Spokane Chiefs will begin their regular season campaign on Friday, September 20, when they visit the B.C. Division Champions, the Prince George Cougars.