WHL This Week: December 5, 2024

Calgary, Alta. –  Where has time gone? We are officially into the month of December, with WHL Clubs fast approaching the 30-game plateau. This past week was filled with national team announcements, alumni news, more movement on the trade front, and plenty of contributions across our various communities. Buckle up, WHL This Week is a long read, but you will want to know it all.

WHL HEADLINES

Rebels edge Blades in shootout thriller on Wednesday Night in The Dub
Minnesota Wild prospect Chase Wutzke backstopped the Red Deer Rebels to a 5-4 shootout victory over Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and the Saskatoon Blades as Wednesday Night in The Dub returned following a one-week hiatus. – GAME STORY

Cougars to visit Americans next week on Wednesday Night in The Dub
The WHL freeview action continues next week as the high-flying Prince George Cougars, fuelled by Washington Capitals prospect Terik Parascak, visit rookie sensation Gavin Garland and the Tri-City Americans. – YOUTUBE

Twelve WHL players to attend Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp
Led by Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Brayden Yager, Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna, and Saskatoon Blades blueliner Tanner Molendyk, 12 WHL players will take to the ice in Ottawa with sights set on earning a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. – DETAILS

Washington Capitals prospect Cristall named WHL Player of the Month for November
With 31 points (13G-18A) in 12 games, Kelowna Rockets star Andrew Cristall is the WHL Player of the Month for November. – DETAILS

Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Gardner named WHL Goaltender of the Month for November
With a record of 7-3-0-0, a 2.64 GAA, and .912 SV%, Saskatoon Blades netminder Evan Gardner is the WHL Goaltender of the Month for November. – DETAILS

2026 NHL Draft-eligible star McKenna named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With seven points (3G-4A) in three games, Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna is the latest Tempo WHL Player of the Week. – DETAILS

Hurricanes acquire Winnipeg Jets prospect Yager in blockbuster deal
The Lethbridge Hurricanes pushed their chips in on Monday, acquiring Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager and veteran netminder Jackson Unger from the Moose Jaw Warriors in a massive swap that saw five players and six draft picks trade places. – DETAILS

COMMUNITY CORNER 

Raiders make massive donation to Prince Albert Food Bank
The Prince Albert Raiders delivered a sizeable donation of goods to the Prince Albert Food Bank this past week after hosting the Club’s annual Food Drive on December 3. – PHOTOS

Wheat Kings Toy & Food Drive scheduled for December 6 to January 10
From Friday, December 6, through Friday, January 10, the Brandon Wheat Kings will be host a Toy & Food Drive benefitting local charities. – MORE INFO

Hitmen distribute Teddy Bears at Alberta Children’s Hospital
Watch as members of the Calgary Hitmen distribute teddy bears and smiles to patients at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. – WATCH

Blades deliver gifts at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital
Members of the Saskatoon Blades visited the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital earlier this week to deliver holiday cheer. – PHOTOS

Blue Jackets prospect Gardner auctioning goalie mask in support of Diabetic Kids Camps in Saskatchewan
Evan Gardner’s one-of-a-kind goalie mask is being auctioned in support of Diabetic Kids Camps in Saskatchewan. Don’t miss your chance to support a great cause and get in on a fantastic piece of memorabilia. – AUCTION

Thunderbirds collect nearly 5,000 bears during Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss
The Seattle Thunderbirds collected nearly 5,000 teddy bears during the annual Fred Meyer Teddy Bear Toss on November 23, supporting local charities. – PHOTO

Petruk & Silvertips Goods Drive supporting Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
Andrew Petruk and the Everett Silvertips are set to collect clothing, toiletries, blankets, and other essential items for women and children of Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County on Thursday, December 12 from 12-4 p.m. PT at the Everett Silvertips office. – DETAILS

Blazers attend Toys for Kids fundraiser breakfast in support of Royal Inland Hospital Foundation
Members of the Kamloops Blazers were in attendance this past week for the 32nd annual Toys for Kids fundraiser breakfast in support of Royal Inland Hospital Foundation. – PHOTOS

Rockets visit Anne McClymont Elementary School
Members of the Kelowna Rockets paid a visit to Anne McClymont Elementary School in Kelowna this week. – PHOTO

Warriors spend day reading at Sunningdale School
Members of the Moose Jaw Warriors took a trip to Sunningdale School to meet and read with students this week. – PHOTOS

Wild support NCW Community Toy Drive
Members of the Wenatchee Wild were out around the community encouraging citizens to drop off donations for the NCW Community Toy Drive. – PHOTOS

OTHER NEWS

Americans forward Garland named WHL Rookie of the Month for November
Tallying 15 points (7G-8A) in 12 games, 18-year-old forward Gavin Garland of the Tri-City Americans is the WHL Rookie of the Month for November. – DETAILS

Oil Kings defenceman Fiddler named to U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster
2025 NHL Draft prospect Blake Fiddler is headed to camp with the U.S. National Junior Team, intent on securing a spot on his nation’s roster for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. – DETAILS

Calgary Flames prospect Hurtig named to Sweden’s roster for IIHF World Junior Championship
Calgary Hitmen defenceman Axel Hurtig will represent Team Sweden at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. – DETAILS

Hitmen netminder Miller named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Calgary Hitmen newcomer Anders Miller is the WHL Goaltender of the Week after going 2-0-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .958 SV% last week. – DETAILS

Wheat Kings forward Jacobson named WHL Rookie of the Week
With six points (2G-4A) in three games, Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jaxon Jacobson is the WHL Rookie of the Week. – DETAILS

Utah Hockey Club prospect Iginla undergoes season-ending surgery
Kelowna Rockets star Tij Iginla has seen his 2024-25 season cut short, following hip surgery. Iginla, who was selected sixth overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft, recorded 32 points (14G-18A) in 21 games with the Rockets this season. – DETAILS

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

Nine WHL Alumni to represent Canada at 4 Nations Face-Off
Led by Sam Reinhart, Mark Stone, and Josh Morrissey, Canada will be powered by a strong contingent of WHL Alumni when the puck drops on the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025. – DETAILS

Valimaki to represent Finland at 4 Nations Face-Off
Former Tri-City Americans defenceman Juuso Valimaki will take to the ice as a member of Team Finland when the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off gets underway in February 2025. – IMAGE

Six WHL Alumni to represent Canada at 2025 FISU Winter World University Games
Led by a trio of UBC Thunderbirds – Samuel Huo, Sasha Mutala, and Jake Lee – Canada’s roster for the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games will feature five players formerly from the WHL, while head coach Mark Howell also has WHL playing roots. – DETAILS

Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight: Recent WHL grads celebrating NHL milestones
Owen Pickering, Cole Reinhardt, and Dustin Wolf are making an impact with their respective NHL Clubs. Read more about it in the latest edition of the Carlsberg WHL Alumni Spotlight. – READ MORE

WHL alumni recognized with AHL monthly awards
WHL Champions Glenn Gawdin (Swift Current Broncos, 2018) and Denton Mateychuk (Moose Jaw Warriors, 2024) were recognized with AHL monthly awards for November, named Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month, respectively. – MORE

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Americans 20-year-old MacAdams commits to Northern Michigan University
Veteran forward Carter MacAdams will continue his development journey with Northern Michigan University in 2025-26, after committing to the Wildcats on Tuesday. – DETAILS

Rebels veteran Larson commits to Alaska Fairbanks
Red Deer Rebels alternate captain Jhett Larson is taking his talents north to Alaska Fairbanks upon graduating from the WHL, committing to the Nanook’s men’s hockey program on Thursday. – DETAILS

Giants 20-year-old Levis commits to Bowling Green State
Connor Levis, 20, of the Vancouver Giants will continue his development path with Bowling Green State University after committing to the Falcons men’s hockey program this past week. – DETAILS

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Americans sign New Hampshire commit Grout
The Tri-City Americans have signed goaltender Ryan Grout, who is committed to the University of New Hampshire. The 17-year-old product of Calgary is set to join the Ams immediately. – DETAILS

Blades sign American-born forward Clark to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
The Saskatoon Blades have signed 2008-born forward Gavin Clark to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The product of Newport Beach, Calif., is committed to Merrick College. – DETAILS

Rebels sign Toporowski to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
There is another Toporowski in the WHL after 18-year-old forward Dmitri signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Red Deer Rebels this week. The son of Shayne, nephew of Brad and Kerry, and cousin of Jake and Luke, will look to carry on the family legacy in Central Alberta. – DETAILS

Broncos sign American-born goaltender Eskit to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
Aiden Eskit, the 16-year-old brother of Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Ethan Eskit, has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Swift Current Broncos. Hailing from Texas, the younger Eskit was the fourth overall selection in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. – DETAILS

Silvertips acquire Penn State commit Busch from Hurricanes
The Everett Silvertips have acquired the rights to Penn State commit Shea Busch from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, December 6
Red Deer at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Swift Current at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. ST
Calgary at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. ST
Medicine Hat at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Seattle at Kamloops – 7 p.m. PT
Regina at Prince George – 7 p.m. PT
Spokane at Wenatchee – 7 p.m. PT
Vancouver at Tri-City – 7:05 p.m. PT
Kelowna at Everett – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, December 7
Prince Albert at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Calgary at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Red Deer at Swift Current – 7 p.m. ST
Edmonton at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Vancouver at Portland – 6 p.m. PT
Kamloops at Prince George – 6 p.m. PT
Seattle at Everett – 6:05 p.m. PT
Wenatchee at Spokane – 6:05 p.m. PT
Kelowna at Victoria – 6:05 p.m. PT

Sunday, December 8
Regina at Edmonton – 4 p.m. MT
Kelowna at Victoria – 3:04 p.m. PT
Everett at Wenatchee – 4 p.m. PT
Vancouver at Portland – 4 p.m. PT
Spokane at Seattle – 5:05 p.m. PT

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 offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 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 close to 60 years. The WHL is also a 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.