WHL This Week: October 17, 2024

Calgary, Alta. – As we settle into the WHL Regular Season, there is no shortage of excitement across the league. It’s time for our weekly tour around the WHL to deliver the latest news and notes.

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

WHL x Arkells Big Feelings Tour Contest
The WHL has partnered with Arkells to send you to one of the band’s six Western Canadian tour dates. Visit WHL.ca by October 27 to enter! – CONTEST

Giants captain Leslie named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With five assists and six points in three games, Vancouver Giants defenceman Mazden Leslie is the latest Tempo WHL Player of the Week. – READ MORE

Lightning prospect Meneghin named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Medicine Hat Tigers puckstopper Harrison Meneghin is WHL Goaltender of the Week after recording two wins, including a 24-save shutout of the Red Deer Rebels Wednesday, October 9. – READ MORE

Warriors goaltender Banini named WHL Rookie of the Week
Moose Jaw Warriors netminder Josh Banini, 18, made 48 saves and logged a .960 save percentage to collect his first career WHL victory in a 4-2 win over the Everett Silvertips. – READ MORE

WHL alumni celebrate U SPORTS Awards for Mount Royal University
This past week, a trio of former WHL players celebrated U SPORTS Awards recognition from the 2023-24 season. Three Mount Royal Cougars men’s hockey players – Connor Bouchard, Shane Farkas, and Clay Hanus – were recognized for their contributions to the Cougar success in 2023-24. Bouchard was named the top player in U SPORTS men’s hockey, while Farkas was touted the top goaltender in all of Canadian men’s university hockey. Hanus was named a member of the U SPORTS First All-Star Team, along with Bouchard and Farkas. All three players are using their WHL Scholarship to attend Mount Royal University in Calgary. – FULL STORY

COMMUNITY CORNER

Warriors announce Recreational Facility Renewal Program
The Moose Jaw Warriors have announced a new partnership with the City of Moose Jaw, establishing the Moose Jaw Recreational Facility Renewal Program. The new program will see the Warriors and City collaborate to create a fund to enhance the city’s recreational facilities, including Kinsmen Sportsplex, Pla-Mor Palace, local ball diamonds, and athletic parks. – DETAILS

Winterhawks celebrate Hispanic Heritage & Latin X Night
The Portland Winterhawks will celebrate a night of vibrant culture and community when they host Hispanic Heritage & Latin X Night Thursday, October 17 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The special game night will honour the rich heritage of the Hispanic community through music, dance, and participation from local organizations. – DETAILS

Royals visit Eagle View Elementary School to share Moose Hide Campaign
Justin Kipkie, Kyle Marsden, and Cole Reschny paid a visit to Eagle View Elementary School, sharing the message of the Moose Hide Campaign with students and playing a friendly game of dodgeball. 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. – VIDEO & INFO

Pats to celebrate Hockey Is For Everyone on Saturday
The Regina Pats are set to celebrate inclusivity, diversity, and great hockey during the Club’s Hockey Is For Everyone game when the Seattle Thunderbirds visit the Brandt Centre. – INFO

Oil Kings visit 27 classes for READ IN Week
October 7-11 marked READ IN Week across Edmonton and the Oil Kings were involved in a big way, visiting 27 classes to help promote literacy and fostering a love for reading. – DETAILS

Hurricanes partner with PURE Casino Lethbridge for Community Corner
The Lethbridge Hurricanes, thanks to PURE Casino Lethbridge, are giving away tickets to local community groups, charities, non-profit organizations, and disadvantaged families and youths, to help share the love of hockey. People interested in applying for tickets in the PURE Casino Lethbridge Community Corner can find more information at lethbridgehurricanes.com. – MORE INFO

OTHER NEWS

Warriors unveil special uniforms for Military Appreciation Night
The Moose Jaw Warriors unveiled some sharp new threads and showed off the acting chops of head coach Mark O’Leary all at the same time Wednesday. Military Appreciation Night at The Hangar in Moose Jaw is scheduled for Friday, October 18 when the Medicine Hat Tigers visit Moose Jaw. – WATCH

Flames return veteran forward Lipinski to Giants
Forward Jaden Lipinski is on his way back to the Vancouver Giants after completing a professional tryout (PTO) with the NHL’s Calgary Flames and AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. The 20-year-old Lipinski, who was selected by the Flames in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, finished the 2023-24 tied atop the Giants scoring charts with 66 points (24G-42A). – DETAILS

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

Former Rebels star Nugent-Hopkins registers 700th NHL point
Former Red Deer Rebels star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins reached the 700-point plateau this past Saturday with a power-play assist on a goal by fellow WHL alumnus Leon Draisaitl. Nugent-Hopkins, a 31-year-old product of Burnaby, B.C., was selected first overall by the Oilers in the 2011 NHL Draft. Over two WHL seasons in Red Deer, he tallied 177 points (57G-120A) in 141 games, was named WHL Rookie of the Year (2009-10), and CHL Top Draft Prospect (2010-11).

Former Winterhawks defenceman Jones plays 800th NHL game
Former Portland Winterhawks rearguard Seth Jones hit a major mark last Saturday, skating in his 800th career NHL game – a 5-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers. Jones notched three points (1G-2A) and a plus-1 rating over 24:55 time on ice to help his team to victory. The 30-year-old product of Arlington, Texas, played 61 games for the Winterhawks during the 2012-13 season, securing 56 points (14G-42A). He stocked his trophy cabinet during his one NHL season, being named CHL Top Draft Prospect, WHL Rookie of the Year, and winning the WHL Championship. He was also named to the WHL First All-Star Team for the Western Conference.

Former Thunderbirds blueliner Theodore hits 500 NHL games
Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Shea Theodore skated in his 500th career NHL game Sunday night. The 29-year-old product of Langley, B.C., spent four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, serving as captain during the 2014-15 campaign. In 257 career WHL regular season games, the mobile blueliner tallied 212 points (58G-154A).

Former Wild and Broncos forward Geekie makes NHL debut
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie made his NHL debut last Friday in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Selected by the Arizona Coyotes with the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Geekie was dealt to the Lightning at the 2024 NHL Draft. Playing 215 career WHL regular season games, Geekie secured 269 points (111G-158A).

Former Hitmen & Americans defenceman Bean reaches 200 NHL games played
Former WHL defenceman Jake Bean played the 200th game of his NHL career Tuesday evening, manning the blueline for the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old product of Calgary was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round (13th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He played 219 career WHL Regular Season games and recorded 196 points (49G-147A), split between the Calgary Hitmen and Tri-City Americans from 2014-2018.

Former Rockets forward Kirkland scores first NHL goal
Former Kelowna Rockets forward Justin Kirkland secured a long-awaited milestone Sunday night, when he scored his first career NHL goal. Kirkland, a 28-year-old from Winnipeg, was originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the third round (62nd overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. After making his NHL debut with the Anaheim Ducks in 2022-23, Kirkland needed to wait until October 13, 2024, to score his first NHL goal as a member of the Calgary Flames. In three games with the Flames this season, Kirkland has registered two points (1G-1A). He skated in 199 career WHL Regular Season games with Kelowna, tallying 169 points (71G-98A) from 2013-2016. – WATCH

Former Rockets and Raiders forward Draisaitl scores OT winner for Oilers
Former WHL Playoff MVP Leon Draisaitl scored the overtime winner Tuesday night, leading the Edmonton Oilers to their first win of the campaign. Draisaitl, 28, was a powerhouse during his time in the WHL, securing 216 points (78G-138A) in 160 career WHL Regular Season games. – WATCH

Former Winterhawks blueliner Jokiharju having early impact for Sabres
Former Portland Winterhawks defenceman Henri Jokihjaru is having an impact early in the season for the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old product of Oulu, Finland, scored with a heavy blast this past Saturday, helping the Sabres knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers by a 5-2 margin. In five games this season, Jokiharju has two points (1G-1A), a plus-2 rating, and is logging an average of 17:45 time on ice per game. Jokiharju played 134 career WHL regular season games, all with the Winterhawks, registering 119 points (21G-98A).

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Wild acquire netminder Zahara from Tigers for draft picks
The Wenatchee Wild bolstered their crease Wednesday afternoon, acquiring 2005-born netminder Zach Zahara from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for two draft picks. – DETAILS

Hitmen sign first-round pick Kosick to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement
Highly-touted prospect Noah Kosick has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Calgary Hitmen. Kosick, a 16-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., was selected by the Hitmen with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.  – READ MORE

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Thursday, October 17
Saskatoon at Edmonton – 7 p.m. MT
Kamloops at Portland – 7 p.m. PT

Friday, October 18
Seattle at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Prince George at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Medicine Hat at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. MT
Spokane at Swift Current – 7 p.m. MT
Kelowna at Wenatchee – 7 p.m. PT
Prince Albert at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, October 19
Lethbridge at Calgary – 6 p.m. MT
Seattle at Regina – 6 p.m. MT
Wenatchee at Kamloops – 6 p.m. PT
Everett at Portland – 6 p.m. PT
Saskatoon at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Moose Jaw at Swift Current – 7 p.m. MT
Kelowna at Tri-City – 6:05 p.m. PT
Prince Albert at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT

Sunday, October 20
Edmonton at Red Deer – 4 p.m. MT
Vancouver at Wenatchee – 4 p.m. PT
Portland at Tri-City – 4:05 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.