WHL This Week: October 3, 2024
Calgary, Alta. – As the calendar turns from September to October, the WHL season is in full swing. Join us for a tour around the WHL as we set you up with 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
2025 NHL Draft eligible Behm named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With four goals and two assists in two games, Kamloops Blazers forward Nathan Behm is the latest Tempo WHL Player of the Week. Behm’s big week included a hat trick in a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds. – READ MORE
Wheat Kings netminder Eskit named WHL Goaltender of the Week
Ethan Eskit is the WHL Goaltender of the Week after backstopping his Brandon Wheat Kings to a 4-1 road win over the Prince Albert Raiders. The 18-year-old product of Calgary turned aside 32 of 33 shots faced in the Art Hauser Centre. – READ MORE
Silvertips defenceman DuPont named WHL Rookie of the Week
Landon DuPont – the first exceptional status defenceman in WHL history – earned his first WHL weekly honour after logging three assists and a plus-four rating this past week. The 15-year-old product of Calgary was the first overall selection in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. – READ MORE
Tigers forward Basha signs entry-level contract with Calgary Flames
Medicine Hat Tigers star Andrew Basha has signed an entry-level contract with his hometown Calgary Flames. Selected by the Flames in the second round (41st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Basha has recorded two points (1G-1A) in two games since returning to the Tigers. – DETAILS
Mallette named Head Coach for Team CHL for CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota
Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette will serve as the bench boss for Team CHL at the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota this November. – DETAILS
National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Pats forward Shantz celebrates grandfather
Regina Pats forward Zackary Shantz, who hails from Sucker Creek First Nation in Alberta, recently celebrated a career-best performance with three points in a 4-3 win over Prince Albert. As the WHL recognizes National Day for Truth & Reconciliation this week, Shantz reflects on the meaning of the day and celebrates the impact of his grandfather, who is a survivor of the Residential School system. – READ MORE
Photo Gallery: WHL Clubs unite to recognize National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
Take a look at imagery from across the WHL as Clubs recognized Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last weekend. – PHOTO GALLERY
Schedule for 2024 WHL Cup announced
The WHL has announced the schedule 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
Raiders coach Truitt shares sister’s battle ahead of Hockey Fights Cancer Night in Prince Albert
Prince Albert Raiders head coach Jeff Truitt has shared the personal story of his sister, Cherylee Truitt, and her battle with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Cherylee is the first person in Saskatchewan to undergo Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy. – STORY & GAME NIGHT DETAILS
Pats announce multi-year agreement with George Gordon Developments Ltd.
The Regina Pats and George Gordon Developments Ltd have come together in partnership to showcase Indigenous culture and acknowledge the relationship shared with all Indigenous peoples in Treat Four Territory. – DETAILS
Wheat Kings Pucks & Paws Game scheduled for Saturday
The Brandon Wheat Kings will welcome cute, adoptable, furry friends to Westoba Place this Saturday. Local animal rescues will be in attendance as the Swift Current Broncos visit Brandon. – DETAILS
Hurricanes visit St. Paul School for games day and fun with students
Members of the Lethbridge Hurricanes ventured out to St. Paul School for day full of games and meeting students this past week. – PHOTOS
Warriors enjoy reading day at Ecole St. Margaret
Kalem Parker and Lynden Lakovic of the Moose Jaw Warriors joined young students at Ecole St. Margaret this week for a day of reading. – PHOTOS
Winterhawks announce partnership with DSP Connections to improve safe and inclusive fan environment
The Portland Winterhawks are partnering with DSP Connections to provide support to children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Through this partnership, the Winterhawks will implement a new sensory room, which will be open at all home games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Fans will also have access to sensory kits, free of charge. – DETAILS
Cougars partner with Inland Truck & Equipment on ‘Goals for Charity’ campaign
For every goal scored this season by Washington Capitals prospect Terik Parascak, Inland Truck & Equipment and Link-Belt will donate $200 to the Honour House Society. Honour House Society provides resources to uniformed personnel in need. – DETAILS
Royals volunteer at Mustard Seed Street Church
This week, members of the Victoria Royals spent time at the Mustard Seed Street Church in Victoria, helping to move cold weather gear out of storage, serving coffee and lunch, and washing dishes. – WATCH
OTHER NEWS
Silvertips ice crew members tie knot at Angel of the Winds Arena
Eloise and Joshua Pawlak – two members of the Everett Silvertips ice crew – celebrated their love for one another with a special wedding ceremony at Angel of the Winds Arena. – FULL STORY
Jets prospect Yager named Warriors captain
WHL Champion Brayden Yager has been named the latest captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Club stitched the ‘C’ on Yager’s sweater Thursday afternoon. The product of Sakatoon follows in the footsteps of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Denton Mateychuk, who served as captain last season, leading the Warriors to a franchise first Ed Chynoweth Cup – DETAILS
Minnesota Wild prospect Heidt named Cougars captain
Riley Heidt, a prospect of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, has been named captain of the Prince George Cougars. Heidt was assigned to the Cougars earlier this week and made his 2024-25 WHL Regular Season debut Wednesday, recording three points (1G-2A) in a 5-2 win at Kelowna. – DETAILS
Utah Hockey Club prospect Kipkie named Royals captain
Defenceman Justin Kipkie is the newest captain of the Victoria Royals. Hailing from Calgary, Kipkie was named Royals captain October 1. The veteran blueliner was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. – DETAILS
Kraken prospect Catton named Chiefs captain
Berkly Catton is the 37th captain in Spokane Chiefs history. The prospect of the Seattle Kraken was presented with the Chiefs captaincy in a ceremony prior to Saturday’s home opener against the Tri-City Americans. – DETAILS
Veteran defenceman Saunderson named Blades captain
Ben Saunderson, 20, has been named the 63rd captain in Saskatoon Blades franchise history. The longtime Blades rearguard was given the captaincy October 1. – DETAILS
Veteran forward Friesen named Wild captain
Evan Friesen has been named captain of the Wenatchee Wild. The Club announced its full leadership group Wednesday afternoon. – DETAILS
Giants forward Schmidt named CSSHL WHL Alumni Player of the Month
Vancouver Giants forward Cameron Schmidt, who is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, has been named the CSSHL WHL Alumni Player of the Month for September. – DETAILS
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Oil Kings send Rebman to Chiefs
The Spokane Chiefs acquired forward Smyth Rebman from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2027.
Blazers add veteran Szabo in deal with Oil Kings
The Kamloops Blazers acquired veteran forward John Szabo from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2027.
Chiefs land goaltender Tamelin
The Spokane Chiefs added towering puckstopper Ryan Tamelin, sending an eighth-round pick in 2025 to the Victoria Royals.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, October 4
Edmonton at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Saskatoon at Swift Current – 7 p.m. MT
Everett at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. MT
Medicine Hat at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Moose Jaw at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Kamloops at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT
Victoria at Portland – 7 p.m. PT
Prince George at Seattle – 7:05 p.m. PT
Kelowna at Spokane – 7:05 p.m. PT
Saturday, October 5
Swift Current at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Edmonton at Regina – 6 p.m. MT
Everett at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. MT
Moose Jaw at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Calgary at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Victoria at Wenatchee – 6 p.m. PT
Prince George at Portland – 6 p.m. PT
Seattle at Spokane – 6:05 p.m. PT
Kelowna at Tri-City – 6:05 p.m. PT
Sunday, October 6
Vancouver at Calgary – 2 p.m. MT
Kamloops at Wenatchee – 4 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.