WHL This Week: January 2, 2025

Calgary, Alta. –  The New Year is upon us and so is the second half of the 2024-25 WHL season. Fans will notice teams move from wearing white sweaters to dark sweaters at home, as WHL Clubs engage in their annual sweater swap following the holiday break. The WHL Trade Deadline lands on January 9 as we enter the stretch run.

WHL HEADLINES

Boehm bags two as Royals cruise past Giants on Wednesday Night in The Dub
Veteran forward Brayden Boehm scored twice as the Victoria Royals jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never looked back on a special New Year’s Day edition of Wednesday Night in The Dub this past week. – GAME STORY

Warriors to visit Hitmen on next week’s Wednesday Night in The Dub
The WHL freeview action continues next week as the Moose Jaw Warriors visit Minnesota Wild prospect Kalem Parker and the Calgary Hitmen. – YOUTUBE

Hitmen forward Tulk named WHL Player of the Month for December
With 21 points in nine games, veteran forward Oliver Tulk of the Calgary Hitmen has been named WHL Player of the Month for December. – DETAILS

Silvertips defenceman DuPont named WHL Rookie of the Month for December
Registering 16 points in nine games, exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont is the WHL Rookie of the Month for December. – DETAILS

Oil Kings forward Iginla named WHL Rookie of the Week
There’s another Iginla tearing up the WHL and he goes by the name of Joe. The latest Iginla to arrive recorded a hat trick for the Edmonton Oil Kings and was named WHL Rookie of the Week on Monday. – DETAILS

NHL Draft-eligible netminder Ravensbergen named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Prince George Cougars puckstopper Joshua Ravensbergen is the latest WHL Goaltender of the Week after recording two wins, a 0.96 goals-against average, and .970 save percentage. – DETAILS

COMMUNITY CORNER 

Blazers to wear fan-designed ‘Red Bridge Tribute’ jersey Friday
The Kamloops Blazers will start up another year of the Real Canadian Superstore Jersey Design Contest by sporting a fan-designed sweater that pays tribute to the Red Bridge in Kamloops. The landmark bridge was lost to fire this summer. Proceeds from the jersey auction will support PC Children’s Charity. – DETAILS

Cougars to host RE/MAX Presents: Nickelodeon Night for Children’s Miracle Network on Saturday
The Prince George Cougars will sport specially themed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles uniforms this Saturday, with proceeds from the jersey auction supporting Children’s Miracle Network. – DETAILS

Chiefs hosting third annual Neurodiversity Awareness Night this Sunday
The Spokane Chiefs will host Neurodiversity Awareness Night this Sunday, January 5, providing a unique opportunity to reach fans with neurodiversity by offering an inclusive experience. – DETAILS

OTHER NEWS

Silvertips netminder LeGall named WHL Goaltender of the Month for December
Recording four wins with a 1.41 goals-against average and .948 save percentage, Raiden LeGall of the Everett Silvertips has been named WHL Goaltender of the Month for December. – DETAILS

Silvertips rookie DuPont named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
In addition to being named WHL Player of the Month for December, exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont is the latest Tempo WHL Player of the Week, with five points in two games. – DETAILS

Wheat Kings auctioning iconic “Wheat City Walleye” uniforms
You can own a piece of Brandon Wheat Kings history, as the iconic Wheat City Walleye uniforms are available through auction. – AUCTION

Broncos auctioning fan-favourite “Lake Diefenbaker Slough Sharks” jerseys
You can get your hands on the fan favourite Lake Diefenbaker Slough Sharks jerseys through online auction. – AUCTION

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

Former Rockets and Raiders forward Draisaitl named NHL Second Star for December
WHL Champion Leon Draisaitl was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Month for December after tallying 10 goals and 24 points in 13 games. – DETAILS

Former Cougars forward Becher signs ELC with Red Wings
Former Prince George Cougars import forward Ondrej Becher has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Becher, who was selected by the Red Wings in the 2024 NHL Draft, had been playing with the Grand Rapids Griffins – AHL affiliate of the Red Wings. – DETAILS

Former Giants forward Lysell makes NHL debut with Bruins
Fabian Lysell, who was selected 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, made his big-league debut with the Boston Bruins this past week. Lysell starred for the Giants during 2021-22.  – DETAILS

Former Blazers netminder Garand named AHL Goaltender of the Month for December
With four wins and a .958 save percentage, former Kamloops Blazer Dylan Garand is the AHL Goaltender of the Month for December. – DETAILS

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Winterhawks star Jugnauth commits to Michigan State
Seattle Kraken prospect and Portland Winterhawks defenceman Tyson Jugnauth is headed to Michigan State University in 2025-26. – DETAILS

Giants forward Zimmer commits to Niagara University
Veteran forward Tyson Zimmer has committed to Niagara University for the 2025-26 season. – DETAILS

Blades defenceman Siepmann commits to Minnesota Duluth
Veteran defenceman Grayden Siepmann has announced his commitment to the University of Minnesota Duluth for the 2025-26 season. – DETAILS

Rockets forward Cicek commits to Michigan Tech
Kelowna Rockets alternate captain Michael Cicek has committed to Michigan Tech University for 2025-26. – DETAILS

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Royals land Japanese import Isogai from Wild
The Victoria Royals made a big splash Wednesday evening, trading for 20-year-old import forward Kenta Isogai from the Wenatchee Wild. Isogai, who hails from Nagano, has scored 15 goals and 23 assists in 28 games this season. – DETAILS

Hitmen acquire goaltender Hauser from Wild
The Calgary Hitmen added veteran experience to the crease Thursday morning, trading for netminder Daniel Hauser from the Wenatchee Wild. Heading the other way is 20-year-old import Maxim Muranov, along with prospects and picks. – DETAILS

Royals add veteran scorer Lisowsky from Blades
The Victoria Royals bolstered their scoring Thursday afternoon, adding 20-year-old forward Brandon Lisowsky from the Saskatoon Blades. – DETAILS

Hurricanes acquire Golden Knights prospect Gustafson from Thunderbirds
WHL Champion Jordan Gustafson is headed to Lethbridge following a blockbuster deal trade with the Hurricanes. – DETAILS

Raiders bulk up on backend with acquisition of Fabrizi
The Prince Albert Raiders have added some size on the blueline, trading for 6-foot-6 defenceman Matteo Fabrizi from the Red Deer Rebels. – DETAILS

Blazers, Oil Kings swap defencemen
The Edmonton Oil Kings have acquired 2005-born Niko Tsakumis from the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 2007-born blueliner Jager Gugyelka and a fourth-round pick. – DETAILS

Wheat Kings bolster blue paint with addition of Garrett
Alex Garrett is the newest member of the Brandon Wheat Kings crease following a trade from the Everett Silvertips. – DETAILS

Hitmen add veteran Hansen from Blades
The Calgary Hitmen added valuable depth with the acquisition of Lukas Hansen from the Saskatoon Blades. – DETAILS

Americans acquire LeBret from Pats
The Tri-City Americans have acquired the rights to US-born defenceman Dylan LeBret from the Regina Pats. LeBret was selected third overall in the 2022 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 2
Spokane at Portland – 7 p.m. PT

Friday, January 3
Prince Albert at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. ST
Brandon at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Medicine Hat at Swift Current – 7 p.m. ST
Edmonton at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Calgary at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Kelowna at Kamloops – 7 p.m. PT
Seattle at Prince George – 7 p.m. PT
Wenatchee at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT
Portland at Tri-City – 7:05 p.m. PT
Everett at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, January 4
Saskatoon at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. ST
Brandon at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. ST
Lethbridge at Edmonton – 7 p.m. MT
Swift Current at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Regina at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Wenatchee at Portland – 6 p.m. PT
Seattle at Prince George – 6 p.m. PT
Victoria at Everett – 6:05 p.m. PT
Vancouver at Kelowna – 6:05 p.m. PT
Kamloops at Spokane – 6:05 p.m. PT

Sunday, January 5
Regina at Calgary – 1 p.m. MT
Lethbridge at Edmonton – 4 p.m. MT
Wenatchee at Tri-City – 4:05 p.m. PT
Kamloops at Spokane – 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.