WHL This Week: October 10, 2024

Calgary, Alta. – With Canadian Thanksgiving upon us, there is plenty to be grateful for across the Western Hockey League, including NHL history and debuts for recent WHL graduates. Join us for a twirl around the WHL as we explore the latest news and headlines.

WHL HEADLINES

WHL Live packages available for 2024-25
All Dub. All the time. Every dangle, every snipe, every celly – See every heart-stopping moment on WHL Live. With access starting as low as $9.99 (plus taxes), you can enjoy every pretty passing play to every glorious glove save right from the comfort of home. – DETAILS

Chiefs veteran Van Olm named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With four goals and seven points in two games, Spokane Chiefs forward Shea Van Olm is the latest Tempo WHL Player of the Week. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound product of Calgary logged a four-point effort October 5 in a 7-2 win over rival Seattle . – READ MORE

Royals puckstopper Michnik named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Victoria Royals netminder Spencer Michnik is WHL Goaltender of the Week after logging a 22-save shutout victory over the Wenatchee Wild. – READ MORE

Blades forward Williams named WHL Rookie of the Week
Saskatoon Blades forward Cooper Williams, 16, recorded three goals and four points in three games to earn WHL Rookie of the Week honours October 7. – READ MORE

15 WHL players named to Canadian rosters for 2024 U17 World Challenge
Led by Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips) and Daxon Rudolph (Prince Albert Raiders), Hockey Canada has announced the two rosters – Canada White and Canada Red – for the 2024 U17 World Challenge, scheduled for November 3-9 in Sarnia, Ont. – READ MORE

127 WHL players named to NHL Opening Night rosters for 2024-25
The Vegas Golden Knights boast nine WHL Alumni on their roster, with the Edmonton Oilers featuring eight and the Calgary Flames outfitted with seven former WHL players. Eight WHL graduates are also set to serve as NHL captains this season. – DETAILS

148 WHL Alumni named to Canada West opening night rosters
The Alberta Golden Bears lead the charge with 23 former WHL players donning green and gold, while the Calgary Dinos and UBC Thunderbirds each have 20. – DETAILS

Rosters for 2024 WHL Cup announced
The WHL has announced the rosters for the 2024 WHL Cup. Featuring the best 2009-born players from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, the WHL Cup will be contested from October 23-27 at Peavey Mart Centrium in Red Deer. – DETAILS

COMMUNITY CORNER

Wheat Kings coat drive in support of United Way Coats for Kids
The Brandon Wheat Kings are working to support the United Way of Brandon and District. During the month of October, fans are encouraged to bring gently used coats, ski pants, toques, and mittens to Wheat Kings home games to help keep Brandon and area kids warm during the winter. – DETAILS

Royals visit James Bay Community School to promote Moose Hide Campaign
Jayden Kraus and Logan Pickford spent time at James Bay Community School this week, sharing the message of the Moose Hide Campaign with students. The Moose Hide Campaign began as a B.C.-born Indigenous-led grassroots movement to engage men and boys in ending violence towards women and culture. It has since grown into a nationwide movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians all committed to taking action to end this violence. – PHOTOS & INFO

Oil Kings participate in READ IN Week with multiple school visits
Led by Landon Hanson, Parker Alcos, and Rhys Pederson, the Edmonton Oil Kings toured a variety of Edmonton area schools to help promote literacy and fostering a love for reading. – PHOTOS

Hurricanes forward Edwards to support Special Olympics Lethbridge
Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Brayden Edwards has pledged his support to Special Olympic Lethbridge, as he plans to donate $10 for every point he registers during the 2024-25 WHL season. To make this initiative even better, the Hurricanes are set to match all contributions made by Edwards throughout the season. – MORE INFO

Hurricanes trio of Marques, Doyle, and Sharpe to support Alberta Children’s Hospital
Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Miguel Marques and defencemen Tristen Doyle and Will Sharpe have pledged their support to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The three players are set to donate $10 per point collected during the regular season to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The Hurricanes will also match the donations made by the trio. – MORE INFO

Hurricanes volunteer time at Lethbridge Soup Kitchen
Members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes volunteered their time to support the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen this week. – PHOTOS

Rockets to host Paint the Rink Pink Night in support of Canadian Cancer
The Kelowna Rockets are set to Paint the Rink Pink this Friday in support of Canadian Cancer. With the Portland Winterhawks in town, the Rockets will fill Prospera Place with pink for a good cause. – TICKETS

Pats participate in CIBC Run for the Cure to change future of breast cancer
On October 6, members of the Regina Pats participated in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure, in support of breast cancer research and awareness. – PHOTOS

OTHER NEWS

Devils prospect Graham named Rockets captain
Forward Max Graham, 20, is the newest captain of the Kelowna Rockets. A prospect of the New Jersey Devils, Graham becomes the 29th captain in Rockets history. He was selected by the Devils in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. – DETAILS

Sharks prospect Wetsch named Hitmen captain
Forward Carson Wetsch, 18, has been named the 32nd captain in Calgary Hitmen history. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft this summer. – DETAILS

Veteran defenceman Leslie named Giants captain
With 215 games under his belt, 19-year-old Mazden Leslie becomes the 22nd captain in Vancouver Giants history. The product of Lloydminster, Alta., was originally selected by the Giants in the first round (10th overall) of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. – DETAILS

Red Wings prospect Finnie named Blazers captain
Forward Emmitt Finnie has been named captain of the Kamloops Blazers. A product of Lethbridge, Alta., Finnie was selected by the Red Wings in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. – DETAILS

Veteran forward Chyzowski named Winterhawks captain
Kyle Chyzowski, 20, has been named the 49th captain in Portland Winterhawks history. A product of Surrey, B.C., Chyzowski has collected 132 points in 210 career WHL games. – DETAILS

Wiesblatt named captain of Tigers
Shifty veteran forward Oasiz Wiesblatt has been named the 41st captain in Medicine Hat Tigers history. The Tigers announced the captaincy for Wiesblatt on Wednesday. – ANNOUNCEMENT

Kings assign Ziemmer to Cougars
Veteran forward Koehn Ziemmer was returned to the Prince George Cougars by the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings this week. Ziemmer, who turns 20 in December, missed much of the 2023-24 season due to injury. The product of Mayerthorpe, Alta., made an immediate impact in his return, collecting four points (3G-1A) in two games this week. Ziemmer was selected by the Kings in the third round (78th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. – MORE INFO

Penguins return defenceman Brunicke to Blazers
Steady blueliner Harrison Brunicke is back with the Kamloops Blazers after being assigned to the Club following a lengthy stay at Pittsburgh Penguins camp this fall. Brunicke, who was selected by the Penguins in the second round (44th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, is expected to make his season debut with the Blazers this weekend.

Capitals prospect Cristall assigned to Rockets
High-energy forward Andrew Cristall is back with the Kelowna Rockets after being assigned to the Club by the Washington Capitals on Monday. A second-round pick (40th overall) of the Capitals in the 2023 NHL Draft,  Cristall is expected to make his 2024-25 WHL Regular Season debut this Friday against Portland. – DETAILS

Polish import Macias returns to Raiders
Forward import Krzysztof Macias is back in Hockey Town North after attending camps with the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Macias burst onto the scene in 2023-24, recording 47 points (22G-245A) in 65 games. – READ MORE

Lisowsky & Molendyk back with Blades
Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky are back in the Bridge City after spending time at pro training camps. The veteran duo were returned October 7. – DETAILS

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

WHL Champion Allan makes NHL debut with Blackhawks
Former Prince Albert Raiders and Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Nolan Allan made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Allan, a product of Davidson, Sask., won a WHL Championship with the Thunderbirds in 2023.

Blazers alumni Zary scores highlight-reel OT winner for Flames
Former Kamloops Blazers star Connor Zary registered the overtime winning goal for the Calgary Flames in a 6-5 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. – WATCH

Giants alumni Honzek makes NHL debut on Flames top line
Former Vancouver Giants captain Samuel Honzek made his WHL debut Wednesday evening. Selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Slovakian forward hit NHL ice for the first time while skating alongside former London Knight Nazem Kadri.

Former WHL stars Guenther & Ingram star in first NHL win for Utah Hockey Club
Former Edmonton Oil Kings and Seattle Thunderbirds forward Dylan Guenther scored the first goal in Utah Hockey Club history and former Kamloops Blazers goaltender Connor Ingram recorded 26 saves to backstop his team to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

Stone, Howden, Theodore fuel offense as Golden Knights thump Avs
Former Brandon Wheat Kings star Mark Stone scored twice and former Moose Jaw Warriors captain Brett Howden added an empty-net goal, while former Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Shea Theodore contribute three assists as the Vegas Golden Knights doubled up the Colorado Avalanche by an 8-4 score Wednesday.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Blades sign import selection Lewandowski
The Saskatoon Blades have signed German import forward David Lewandowski to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Selected in the second round (120th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, the 17-year-old Lewandowski is a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. – READ MORE

Broncos acquire veteran Dezainde from Cougars in exchange for Eger, draft picks
The Broncos have added 2004-born forward Carlin Dezainde, trading 2005-born forward Van Eger and three draft picks to the Prince George Cougars on Tuesday. – DETAILS

Hurricanes acquire Smith; Tigers add Lightning prospect Meneghin
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have traded 2004-born goaltender and Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Harrison Meneghin to the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for 2005-born forward Shane Smith in a one-for-one trade. – DETAILS

Royals acquire veteran forward Boehm from Tigers
The Victoria Royals have acquired 2004-born forward Brayden Boehm from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for two draft picks. – DETAILS

Raiders land import defenceman Vochvest from Cougars
The Prince Albert Raiders added stay-at-home defenceman Vojtech Vochvest in a deal with the Prince George Cougars earlier this week. – DETAILS

Winterhawks acquire rights to import defenceman Psenicka
The Portland Winterhawks have acquired the rights to 2007-born import defenceman Max Psenicka from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for two conditional draft picks.

Thunderbirds sign import selection Pekar
The Seattle Thunderbirds have signed Czech centre Matej Pekar to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Thunderbirds selected Pekar in the first round (11th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, October 11
Vancouver at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Brandon at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Everett at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. ST
Swift Current at Regina – 7 p.m. ST
Spokane at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Kamloops at Seattle – 7:05 p.m. PT
Wenatchee at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT
Portland at Kelowna – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, October 12
Red Deer at Edmonton – 2 p.m. MT
Wenatchee at Victoria – 4:05 p.m. PT
Brandon at Lethbridge – 6 p.m. MT
Moose Jaw at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. ST
Everett at Swift Current – 7 p.m. ST
Vancouver at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Prince Albert at Prince George – 6 p.m. PT
Kamloops at Tri-City – 6:05 p.m. PT
Portland at Seattle – 6:05 p.m. PT

Sunday, October 13
Spokane at Regina – 2 p.m. ST
Kamloops at Tri-City – 4:05 p.m. PT

Monday, October 14
Vancouver at Edmonton – 12 p.m. MT
Prince George at Calgary – 1 p.m. MT
Prince Albert at Kelowna – 2:05 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.