WHL This Week: November 28, 2024

Calgary, Alta. –  The last edition of WHL This Week for the month of November features major national events news, some notable trades and signings, and plenty more on the journey to the 2025 NHL Draft, including the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada.

WHL HEADLINES

Kelowna announced as host of 2026 Memorial Cup
The best in Major Junior hockey will descend on Kelowna in 2026 after it was announced Kelowna had successfully been granted the opportunity to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. – DETAILS

WHL Commissioner Near discusses 2026 Memorial Cup
WHL Commissioner Dan Near took questions from media Wednesday night in Oshawa, after it had been announced the 2026 Memorial Cup had been awarded to Kelowna. – WATCH

Rockets Head Coach Mallette discusses 2026 Memorial Cup
Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette met with media Wednesday afternoon in Oshawa, after it had been announced the 2026 Memorial Cup had been awarded to Kelowna. – WATCH

Wednesday Night in The Dub freeview returns December 4
After a one-week hiatus, Wednesday Night in The Dub returns Wednesday, December 4, as Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and the Saskatoon Blades host Seattle Kraken prospect Ollie Josephson and the Red Deer Rebels. – YOUTUBE

WHL leads Craig Button’s top 64 for 2025 NHL Draft
With 13 players identified in the top 64, the WHL leads Craig Button’s November list of top prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft. – DETAILS

Washington Capitals prospect Cristall named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With nine points (3G-6A) in three games, Kelowna Rockets star Andrew Cristall is the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. – DETAILS

Oil Kings netminder Worthington named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Edmonton Oil Kings netminder Alex Worthington is WHL Goaltender of the Week after going 3-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .964 SV%. – DETAILS

Winterhawks forward Duguay named WHL Rookie of the Week
With four points (2G-2A) in two games, Portland Winterhawks forward Jordan Dugauy is the WHL Rookie of the Week. – DETAILS

Royals star Reschny scores CHL USA Prospects Challenge-clinching goal as Team CHL dusts U.S. National Team Development Program
Highly-touted 2025 NHL Draft prospect Cole Reschny was the hero Wednesday night, scoring the game- and series-winning goal in the dying moments of regulation as Team CHL defeated the U.S. NTDP. – GAME STORY

Western Canadian Officiating Development Partnership: Build a foundation & game observation
Episode 2 of the Western Canada Officiating Coaches Development Program is here and focused on building a strong foundation with officials plus key things to look for while observing officials in a game. – WATCH

COMMUNITY CORNER

Hitmen hang holiday lights at Alberta Children’s Hospital
Take a look as members of the Calgary Hitmen visited the Alberta Children’s Hospital to help spread some holiday cheer by hanging lights on the hospital grounds. – WATCH

Cougars 50/50 Society donates $30,000 to Salvation Army Food Bank
The Prince George Cougars 50/50 Society donated $30,000 to the Salvation Army Food Bank this past November. – MORE

Blades launch “PokeCheck Learns” series, beginning with Diabetes Awareness Night
The Saskatoon Blades are delivering a series of awareness campaigns this season, starting with Diabetes Awareness Night this Friday. February will bring Pink Shirt Day and an anti-bullying initiatibe to SaskTel Place, while March will deliver Sensory Awareness Night. – DETAILS

Blue Jackets prospect Gardner to auction special edition mask in support of diabetes awareness
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect and Type 1 diabetic Evan Gardner of the Saskatoon Blades has a special mask that he is going to wear on the ice before auctioning off in support of diabetes awareness. – WATCH

Chiefs visit Teen and Kid Closet ahead of annual clothing drive
Members of the Spokane Chiefs made a recent trip to Teen and Kid Closet, volunteering their time ahead of the Chiefs annual clothing drive this Sunday, December 1 – WATCH

OTHER NEWS

Wild Head Coach Nauchbaur joins 700-win Club
Don Nachbaur of the Wenatchee Wild celebrated his 700th career WHL victory last week, making him the third coach in history to do so. – DETAILS

Silvertips forward Bear elevated by NHL Central Scouting
Carter Bear of the Everett Silvertips has been elevated from a ‘B’ rating to an ‘A’ rating by NHL Central Scouting. – DETAILS

WHL Teddy Bear Toss season is here
WHL Teddy Bear Toss season got underway this past weekend, with more games on the horizon in the coming weeks. – SCHEDULE

WHL mourns passing of former WHL Official of the Year Mike Hasenfratz
Mike Hasenfratz, who was named WHL Official of the Year in 1999-00, passed away at the age of 58 this past week. – IN MEMORIAM

Thunderbirds name Mynio and Cootes co-captains
Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio and 2025 NHL Draft prospect Braeden Cootes have been named co-captains of the Seattle Thunderbirds – DETAILS

Pats mourn loss of alumnus Jim Minor
The Regina Pats are mourning the loss of alumnus Jim Minor, who passed away at the age of 69 this past week. Minor played with the Pats from 1971-75. – IN MEMORIAM

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

Hockey Hall of Famer Weber discusses Memorial Cup coming to Kelowna
Former Kelowna Rockets superstar Shea Weber joined TSN Wednesday evening to discuss the 2026 Memorial Cup coming to Kelowna. – WATCH

Warriors induct Boyd, Lehman, Multiplex Builders into Hall of Fame
Dustin Boyd, Jody Lehman, and the Multiplex Builders, including  co-chair Bill Deyo, were inducted into the Moose Jaw Warriors Hall of Fame this past weekend. – DETAILS

Hurricanes to induct Wright, Lyons, Beswick to Wall of Honour
Ben Wright, Corey Lyons and builder Herb Beswick are set to be inducted into the Lethbridge Hurricanes Wall of Honour in February. The Club announced the latest class on Wednesday. – DETAILS

UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Broncos 20-year-old Dezainde commits to University of Connecticut
Veteran forward Carlin Dezainde is set to continue his development journey at the University of Connecticut after committing to the Huskies men’s hockey program earlier this week. – DETAILS

Wild 20-year-old Hauser commits to University of Wisconsin
Veteran netminder Daniel Hauser will carry on his hockey career at the University of Wisconsin. – DETAILS

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Hitmen acquire Howe in blockbuster with Pats
Pittsburgh Penguins prospect is now a member of the Calgary Hitmen following a blockbuster trade that saw the Regina Pats acquire forward Keets Fawcett and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Reese Hamilton late last week. – DETAILS

Temple and Maze trade places in swap between Pats, Silvertips
The Everett Silvertips and Regina Pats came together for a one-for-one hockey trade Wednesday afternoon, with forward Cole Temple off to the Pacific Northwest and forward Julien Maze headed for the Land of Living Skies. – DETAILS

Raiders acquire WHL Champion goaltender Fortin from Warriors
Goaltender Dimitri Fortin is the newest member of the Prince Albert Raiders following a trade from the Moose Jaw Warriors this past week. – DETAILS

Thunderbirds sign defenceman Mrtka to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
The Seattle Thunderbirds made a big addition to the blueline Wednesday morning, announcing the signing of import selection Radim Mrtka. The Czech defender is an ‘A’ ranked prospect by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. – DETAILS

Warriors add forward Brown from BCHL Penticton
The Moose Jaw Warriors have signed 18-year-old forward Casey Brown to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Brown joins the Warriors from the BCHL’s Penticton Vees and is committed to Arizona State University. – DETAILS

Blades sign U.S. defenceman Morrison to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
The Saskatoon Blades have signed 2009-born Texas product Noah Morrison to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Morrison was a second-round selection (44th overall) in the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. – DETAILS

Hitmen sign U.S. forward Brown to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
The Calgary Hitmen have signed 2009-born forward Logan Brown to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Brown was a second-round selection (28th overall) in the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. – DETAILS

Oil Kings sign goaltender Simcoe to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement
Netminder Ethan Simcoe joins the Edmonton Oil Kings from the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express after signing a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement Thursday afternoon. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, November 29
Kelowna at Portland – 1 p.m. PT
Edmonton at Calgary – 6 p.m. MT
Lethbridge at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Prince Albert at Swift Current – 7 p.m. ST
Brandon at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Prince George at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Regina at Kamloops – 7 p.m. PT
Everett at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT
Tri-City at Wenatchee – 7 p.m. PT
Seattle at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, November 30
Lethbridge at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. ST
Swift Current at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Brandon at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Prince George at Edmonton – 7 p.m. MT
Calgary at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Portland at Spokane – 6:05 p.m. PT
Wenatchee at Tri-City – 6:05 p.m. PT
Seattle at Victoria – 6:05 p.m. PT
Kamloops at Everett – 6:05 p.m. PT
Regina at Kelowna – 6:05 p.m. PT

Sunday, December 1
Moose Jaw at Calgary – 4 p.m. MT
Brandon at Edmonton – 4 p.m. MT
Seattle at Vancouver – 4 p.m. MT
Portland at Spokane – 5:05 p.m. MT

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.