WHL This Week: October 31, 2024

Calgary, Alta. –  With the first full month of the season in the books, WHL This Week features our first set of WHL Monthly Award winners for 2024-25, a handful of transactions across the League, and a whole lot more. Let’s get down to business with the latest news and notes from across the WHL.

WHL HEADLINES

WHL mourns passing of beloved Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Hay
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder in 2015, Saskatoon’s Bill Hay passed away at the age of 88 last Friday. He will forever be remembered for his extraordinary impact on the game of hockey at all levels across seven decades. – IN MEMORIAM

Tigers forward McKenna named WHL Player of the Month for September / October
With a WHL-leading 23 points (7G-16A) in 14 games, forward Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers is WHL Player of the Month for September / October. – DETAILS

Silvertips defenceman DuPont named WHL Rookie of the Month for September / October
Landon DuPont, 15, is the WHL Rookie of the Month for September / October after tallying 16 points (4G-12A) in 14 games to lead all WHL rookies in scoring. – DETAILS

Silvertips netminder Sanche named WHL Goaltender of the Month for September / October
With a record of 9-2-0-0, a 1.71 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and one shutout, Jesse Sanche is the WHL Goaltender of the Month for September / October. – DETAILS

Tigers forward St. Martin signs entry-level contract with Panthers
Medicine Hat Tigers veteran Hunter St. Martin has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. – DETAILS

NHL Draft-eligible forward Behm named Tempo WHL Player of the Week
With 10 points (4G-6A) in three games, Kamloops Blazers forward Nathan Behm is the Tempo WHL Player of the Week for October 28. – DETAILS

Silvertips netminder Sanche named WHL Goaltender of the Week
With a record of 4-0-0-0 with a 1.43 goals-against average and .938 save percentage, Jesse Sanche is the WHL Goaltender of the Week for October 28. – DETAILS

Wheat Kings forward Jacobson named WHL Rookie of the Week
With three points (2G-1A) in two games, Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jaxon Jacobson is the WHL Rookie of the Week for October 28. – DETAILS

T-Birds prospect England named MVP as Alberta wins WHL Cup
Led by Seattle Thunderbirds prospect Brock England, Hockey Alberta won the 2024 WHL Cup last Sunday, defeating Manitoba in the gold medal game. England finished the tournament with eight points (3G-5A) in five games. – DETAILS

COMMUNITY CORNER 

Silvertips raise $95,000 for Providence Comprehensive Breast Center
The Everett Silvertips’ annual Pink the Rink game has raised over $95,000 in support of Providence Comprehensive Breast Center. – PHOTOS

Royals unveil Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night jerseys
On Sunday, November 3, the Victoria Royals will don special-edition Canadian Armed Forces jerseys as part of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night. An online auction of the jerseys will see proceeds donated to the Support Our Troops foundation. – PHOTOS & AUCTION INFO

Warriors designing special jersey for Hockey Fights Cancer Night in February
The Moose Jaw Warriors are putting the call out to fans – they need photos of your loved ones to honour as part of the special Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys the team will sport on February 1, 2025. A donation of $20 will reserve a spot for a photo of your loved one on the Warriors special edition jersey. Deadline for photo submission is Sunday, November 17. Net proceeds from donations, a jersey auction, and other initiatives will support the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. – DETAILS

Tigers host Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat & District Skate with the Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers welcomed all sorts of youngsters and families from across the community for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat & District Skate with the Tigers this past Monday. – PHOTOS

Broncos visit O.M. Irwin School in Swift Current
Members of the Swift Current Broncos, including Jace McFaul and Parker Rondeau, paid a visit to a class of Grade 3 students at O.M. Irwin School, delivering lunch as part of the Classroom of the Month Program with Magic 99.7 and Country 94.1 FM. – PHOTOS

OTHER NEWS

WHL Job Opportunity: Senior Manager, Hockey Operations
The WHL is hiring for a Senior Manager, Hockey Operations, to play a critical role leading a variety of aspects of the League’s hockey-oriented activities. – JOB POSTING

LA Kings watching closely as Cougars veteran Ziemmer enjoys final WHL season
Koehn Ziemmer is back in the WHL for one more season with the Prince George Cougars and the Los Angeles Kings are working to support him as he continues his development. – COMPLETE STORY

Lethbridge celebrates 50 years of WHL hockey and Lethbridge Sportsplex
This past weekend, the Lethbridge Hurricanes welcomed back decades worth of alumni in celebration of 50 years of WHL hockey and the Lethbridge Sportsplex. – DETAILS

Hurricanes add Manson as guest assistant coach
Former Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Dave Manson is set to join the Lethbridge Hurricanes, filling in as an assistant coach for six games while Associate Head Coach and Assistant GM Matt Anholt represents Canada at the World U17 Hockey Challenge. – DETAILS

Western Canadian Officiating Development Partnership: Goal Setting & Recruitment
Episode 1 of the Western Canada Officiating Coaches Development Partnership Series is here with a focus on the values and benefits of goal setting. – WATCH

Wheat Kings mourn passing of John ‘Al’ Macpherson
Hailing from Eston, Sask., John ‘Al’ Macpherson spent 36 years with the Brandon Wheat Kings, serving as a scout and Director of Player Personnel. – IN MEMORIAM

WHL ALUMNI NEWS

Former Rebels forward Bains scores first career NHL goal
Former WHL Bob Clarke Trophy winner and Red Deer Rebels star Arshdeep Bains scored his first career NHL goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this week. – DETAILS

Former Bronco and Wild forward Geekie registers first career NHL goal
Former WHL star Conor Geekie recorded the first goal of his NHL career this past week, striking for the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals. – MORE

Three Rockets alumni hit 1,000-game plateau in NHL
Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, and Mikael Backlund all played their WHL careers with the Kelowna Rockets and recently hit 1,000-game milestones in the NHL. – FULL STORY

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Blades acquire McCallum from Tigers
The Saskatoon Blades have acquired goaltender Ethan McCallum from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for two draft picks. – DETAILS

Thunderbirds add 2004-born forward Gronick from Giants
The Seattle Thunderbirds added some experience up front, acquiring veteran forward Kyren Groncik from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for a draft pick. – DETAILS

Americans acquire goaltender Cunningham from Blades
The Tri-City Americans bolstered their goaltending depth with the acquisition of 2005-born netminder Logan Cunningham from the Saskatoon Blades. – DETAILS

Cougars acquire defenceman Leonard from Hitmen
The Prince George Cougars have acquired defenceman Fraser Leonard from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for defenceman Drew Peterson and a draft pick. – DETAILS

Raiders acquire defenceman Osborn from Hitmen
The Prince Albert Raiders have acquired defenceman Brandon Osborne from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a draft pick.

Wild acquire defenceman Mannix from Oil Kings
The Wenatchee Wild have acquired defenceman Eastyn Mannix from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a draft pick. – DETAILS

Pats acquire Egland from Wild
The Regina Pats have acquired 2007-born forward Jace Egland from the Wenatchee Wild in exchange for a draft pick. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, November 1
Calgary at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Swift Current at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. MT
Medicine Hat at Regina – 7 p.m. MT
Prince George at Kamloops – 7 p.m. PT
Saskatoon at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT
Everett at Wenatchee – 7 p.m. PT
Moose Jaw at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT
Edmonton at Seattle – 7:05 p.m. PT
Portland at Spokane – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, November 2
Medicine Hat at Brandon – 7 p.m. CT
Regina at Swift Current – 7 p.m. MT
Lethbridge at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Edmonton at Wenatchee – 6 p.m. PT
Portland at Seattle – 6:05 p.m. PT
Spokane at Tri-City – 6:05 p.m. PT
Moose Jaw at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT

Sunday, November 3
Saskatoon at Victoria – 3:05 p.m. PT
Everett 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.