WHL Stars of Tomorrow – U18 Prospects – March 6, 2024

The WHL Stars of Tomorrow series highlights the biggest and brightest prospects on the cusp of becoming household names in the Western Hockey League.

Each week, four of the WHL’s top U18 prospects will be featured with reports from league and team representatives.

The series will also give an update on 18 additional prospects as they navigate their 15- and 16-year-old seasons.

 

MATHIS PRESTON – FORWARD – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (3RD OVERALL)

Okanagan HA U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

23 Games – 30 Goals – 21 Assists – 51 Points

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

“Mathis has had a strong year for his OHA U18 team. His speed, shot, and ability to score makes him a threat every time he is on the ice. Currently, he is tied for 2nd in the CSSHL with 30 goals in just 23 games. He has played four games with Spokane this season recording two goals. He recently represented Canada at the Youth Olympics and had four goals and six points in four games.

– Matt Bardsley (Spokane Chiefs General Manager)

“Mathis plays the game hard and has great pace and energy to his game. It is hard to notice anyone else when he is on the ice. Mathis has a powerful stride and chews up space quickly when entering the offensive zone. His shot is his best attribute, with the ability to finish from outside the circles or score gritty goals in the crease. His mindset is one of the more competitive in this age group, with the desire to have an impact on every shift and make the most out of every puck touch. He has had a hot start to his WHL career as an affiliate this season, and Spokane will hope he can continue that into his rookie season.”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

RYAN LIN – DEFENCE – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (6TH OVERALL)

Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

28 Games – 10 Goals – 22 Assists – 32 Points

Few moments before Ryan Lin took his solo lap at his first WHL game! 🐣 pic.twitter.com/SWS8fJBCtA

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) November 5, 2023

“Ryan embodies the traits that the Vancouver Giants value highly. His dedication, skill, and passion for the game are evident in every aspect of his play. He will significantly impact, not just on the ice, but also off it, as he has shown a common focus and commitment among high achievers. He has shown the ability to raise his level of play and the others around him game in and out. Ryan’s ability to scan and control the tempo and pace with positive results when he is on the ice has shown to be incredibly impactful in his hockey to date. We are excited for him to join our team.”

– Barclay Parneta (Vancouver Giants General Manager)

“Ryan is an elite prospect who already possesses WHL level skating and hockey IQ. He is extremely dynamic with the ability to beat defenders with edge work and speed both in transition and off the rush. He is intelligent in all three zones with a great sense of when to make a play and when to let things develop. Ryan has all the tools to be a true number one defenseman in the WHL and should hit the ground running next season in Vancouver”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

GIORGOS PANTELAS – DEFENCE – 2023 1ST ROUND PICK (19TH OVERALL)

RINK Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 (CSSHL U18)

30 Games – 5 Goals – 11 Assists – 16 Points

“Giorgos is a complete and versatile defenseman. He can create offense from the back end with his puck skills and vision but is also very good defensively. Giorgos has an incredible amount of patience with the puck. His high end hockey sense allows him to make the right decisions with and without the puck. Giorgos also has a great stick defensively. His stick and his body positioning makes it very challenging for the opposition.”

– Chris Moulton (Brandon Wheat Kings Director of Hockey Operations)

“Giorgos is a big, smooth defender with good hands and feet to compliment his size. His poise with the puck will translate really well to the WHL level as he can break the puck out confidently under pressure and delivers pucks to his forwards in good windows. The game seems to slow down for Giorgos and allows him to use his skill and sense to make good plays with the puck in all three zones. As a defender, Girogos is developing the ability to use his frame to lean on opposing players to win battles, and has the ability to throw big hits in the right situations. Giorgos projects as a solid two-way defenseman at the WHL level and will be a key piece of Brandon’s young prospect group.”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

SAWYER DINGMAN – FORWARD – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (30TH OVERALL)

Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

29 Games – 2 Goals – 16 Assists – 18 Points

“Sawyer is an intelligent power forward that thinks the game very well and understands what he is as a player. With physical strength gains we feel he will be a valuable player in our lineup in the very near future.”

– Chad Leslie (Swift Current Broncos General Manager)

​”As the power forward player type becomes more and more rare, players like Sawyer increase in value. Already 6’3, Sawyer blends his great size with a solid stride and good puck skills, giving him the ability to affect the game in a number of different ways. He is physical on the forecheck and a very disruptive player who carries a presence whenever he is on the ice. He also has the skill to contribute offensively and has the hockey sense to play with highly skilled players. I see Sawyer as someone that can bring a different look to a top 6 forward group at the WHL level, adding physicality and grit with the ability to chip in offensively. Swift Current is the perfect spot for the young prospect as he fits their forward group and style of play very nicely. ”

– Taylor Green (WHL Manager of Hockey Operations)

 

PARKER MACDOUGALL – FORWARD – 2022 5TH ROUND PICK (99TH OVERALL)

Pacific Coast Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

26 Games – 10 Goals – 15 Assists – 25 Points

 

OWEN MASTROIANNI – FORWARD – 2022 11TH ROUND PICK (241ST OVERALL)

Edge School U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

22 Games – 8 Goals – 11 Assists – 19 Points

 

OWEN COOPER – FORWARD – 2023 6TH ROUND PICK (114TH OVERALL)

Edge School U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

30 Games – 14 Goals – 27 Assists – 41 Points

 

KADEN MEYER – DEFENCE – 2023 6TH ROUND PICK (124TH OVERALL)

Greater Van Canadians U18 AAA (BCEHL U18)

27 Games – 1 Goal – 12 Assists – 13 Points

 

KALDER VARGA – FORWARD – 2023 U.S. PRIORITY DRAFT 1ST ROUND (7TH OVERALL)

Chicago Mission 14U AAA (HPHL 14U)

15 Games – 11 Goals – 10 Assists – 21 Points

 

GRADY PICHETTE – DEFENCE – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (88TH OVERALL)

Okotoks Oilers U18 AAA (AEHL U18)

34 Games – 4 Goals – 12 Assists – 16 Points

 

BRAYDEN RYAN-MACKAY – FORWARD – 2023 6TH ROUND PICK (119TH OVERALL)

SAHA U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

30 Games – 20 Goals – 17 Assists – 37 Points

 

TYSON SCHAMEHORN – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (82ND OVERALL)

Okanagan HA U17 Prep (CSSHL U17)

23 Games – 12 Goals – 12 Assists – 24 Points

 

KAYD RUEDIG – DEFENCE – 2022 4TH ROUND PICK (84TH OVERALL)

Swift Current Legionnaires U18 (SMAAAHL)

37 Games – 13 Goals – 18 Assists – 31 Points

 

JONAH SIVERTSON – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (71ST OVERALL)

Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)

44 Games – 21 Goals – 24 Assists – 45 Points

 

LEITH HUNTER – DEFENCE – 2023 3RD ROUND PICK (50TH OVERALL)

Pacific Coast Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

30 Games – 1 Goal – 9 Assists – 10 Points

 

NICKOLAS KOVICH – FORWARD – 2023 4TH ROUND PICK (75TH OVERALL)

Delta Hockey Academy U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

30 Games – 11 Goals – 20 Assists – 31 Points

 

FENTON MANN – DEFENCE – 2023 7TH ROUND PICK (148TH OVERALL)

Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA (MU18HL)

40 Games – 2 Goals – 6 Assists – 8 Points

 

RYLEY BUDD – GOALTENDER – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (42ND OVERALL)

Edge School U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

17 Games – 1.77 GAA – .936 SV%

 

FINN BAGLEY – FORWARD – 2023 5TH ROUND PICK (92ND OVERALL)

Calgary Rockies U18 (JPHL U18)

10 Games – 1 Goal – 0 Assists – 1 Point

 

JESSE MCKINNON – FORWARD – 2023 3RD ROUND PICK (55TH OVERALL)

St. Albert Raiders U18 AAA (AEHL U18)

35 Games – 8 Goals – 15 Assists – 23 Points

 

KASH ALGER-EAST – FORWARD – 2023 2ND ROUND PICK (25TH OVERALL)

Battlefords Stars U18 AAA (SMAAAHL)

43 Games – 9 Goals – 29 Assists – 38 Points

 

RADOSLAV DIMITROV – DEFENCE – 2023 5TH ROUND PICK (110TH OVERALL)

OHA Edmonton U18 Prep (CSSHL U18)

29 Games – 5 Goals – 15 Assists – 20 Points