Elfring passed earlier this week at the age of 76.

For over 23 seasons, Elfring was vital to the success of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, serving in many roles. From 1995 to 1999, Elfring was President of the Club, overseeing the Hurricanes run to the 1997 WHL Championship.

From 1994 through 2017, Elfring served as Governor of the Hurricanes. In his role on the WHL Board of Governors, he contributed for 10 years as a member of the finance committee.

Elfring’s impact on the Hurricanes and the community of Lethbridge was so profound, the Club has named its annual Community Relations Award after him. The Herman Elfring Community Relations Award is presented annually to a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes who best exemplifies a high commitment and contribution to the Lethbridge community.

Not only was Elfring celebrated for his contributions to Lethbridge, but he was also recognized for the efforts he made to support the betterment of the WHL. In 2017, Elfring was named recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service Award. Introduced in 2004, the WHL Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to the individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of WHL franchises, and in doing so, have made an extraordinary contribution to the Club and League levels over an extended period.

In 2025, Elfring was inducted into the Lethbridge Hurricanes Wall of Honour, becoming the eighth member enshrined in the Builder’s Category.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Herman’s wife Carla, his children, grandchildren, extended family, and all of his friends during this difficult time.

Nineteen CHL clubs represented among 2026 finalists, led by historic seasons from Bryce Pickford, Tommy Bleyl, Nikita Klepov, and Maxim Massé

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the finalists for its 10 major awards for the 2025-26 season, with the complete list of finalists available below. Winners will be honoured at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, taking place Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award are determined by the winners of the corresponding honours presented by the CHL’s three Member Leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL.

Four players enter the 2026 CHL Awards with multiple nominations after seasons that rewrote record books across the CHL. Bryce Pickford of the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) is a finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Defenceman of the Year Award after scoring 45 goals — the most by a CHL defenceman in nearly 40 years. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is the first defenceman to be named a finalist for the CHL’s top individual honour since Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) in 2010-11. If selected, Pickford would become just the fifth defenceman to win the award and the first since Ellis.

Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is also nominated twice, earning finalist recognition for both CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year after setting a new QMJHL record for points by a rookie defenceman with 81. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect also became just the second player in QMJHL history to win both the league’s Rookie of the Year and Defenceman of the Year honours in the same season, joining Dmitry Kulikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), who accomplished the feat in 2008-09. Should Bleyl capture both CHL awards, he would become the first player in CHL history to win CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year in the same season.

Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) and Maxim Massé of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) round out the group of multi-award finalists. Klepov, a 2026 NHL Draft prospect nominated for both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL Top Scorer Award, became the first rookie to lead a CHL Member League in scoring since Patrick Kane did so with the London Knights in 2006-07 — a feat achieved by only one other rookie since 2000, Sidney Crosby with the Rimouski Océanic in 2003-04. Massé, an Anaheim Ducks prospect and finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Top Scorer Award, captured the QMJHL scoring title with 102 points and was one of only two CHL players to surpass both the 50-goal and 100-point marks this season.

Some of the other compelling storylines to watch heading into the 2026 CHL Awards include:

• Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers led the entire CHL with 108 points, while his twin brother Liam finished second with 104, making them the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season.
• This year marks the first time in CHL history that all three Member League Rookie of the Year recipients are U.S.-born players, with JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), Klepov (OHL), and Bleyl (QMJHL) all nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year.
• Should Bleyl be named CHL Rookie of the Year, he would become just the fourth defenceman to receive the honour, joining Philippe Boucher (Granby Bisons / QMJHL, 1990-91), Bryan Berard (Detroit Jr. Red Wings / OHL, 1994-95), and Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL, 2024-25), who captured the award last season.
• Massé, the CHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, could become just the sixth player in CHL history to win both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award over the course of his career, joining Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gavin McKenna.
• Sam O’Reilly of the Kitchener Rangers enters the ceremony as a finalist for the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award following a remarkable campaign in which he was named OHL regular-season MVP, OHL Playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup MVP while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. Should he win the CHL’s top individual honour, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect would join Brad Richards and Mitch Marner as the only players to capture CHL Player of the Year after completing that rare MVP sweep in the same season.
• Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s is a finalist for CHL Goaltender of the Year after leading the CHL with a .923 save percentage, posting a CHL-best 2.07 goals-against average, and setting a new OHL rookie record with six shutouts. If selected, the 2026 NHL Draft prospect would become only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award — and the first in 31 years — following Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL) in 1994-95.
• Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips is nominated for the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award after guiding Everett to a franchise-record 57-win regular season, the first WHL Championship in club history, the Silvertips’ first Memorial Cup appearance, and their first Memorial Cup Final appearance.
• Marcus Kearsey of the Charlottetown Islanders could help make CHL history, as an Islanders win would mark the first time a club has captured the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. With Kearsey earning his second nomination for this CHL honour in the last three seasons, a Charlottetown Islanders player has now represented the QMJHL as a finalist for the award in four of the last five seasons, including each of the last three.

Presented annually, the CHL Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of players from across the CHL, with 10 trophies presented based on individual performances.

For more information on each award and its three finalists, please visit chl.ca/tag/chl-awards.

David Branch Player of the Year Award  Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Sam O’Reilly (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year), the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL Most Outstanding Player), and the Michel-Brière Trophy (QMJHL MVP). The trophy was renamed in 2019-20 in honour of David Branch, who was OHL Commissioner from 1979-2024 and served as CHL President from 1996-2019.

Defenceman of the Year Award Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL) 

The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL Defenceman of the Year), the Max Kaminsky Trophy (OHL Defenceman of the Year), and the Émile-Bouchard Trophy (QMJHL Defenceman of the Year).

Goaltender of the Year Award Nominees: Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Rudy Guimond (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

The CHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given out annually to the top goaltender in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy (WHL Goaltender of the Year), the Jim Rutherford Trophy (OHL Goaltender of the Year), and the Patrick-Roy Trophy (QMJHL Goaltender of the Year).

Rookie of the Year Award Nominees: JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year), the Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year), and the Sidney-Crosby Trophy (QMJHL Rookie of the Year).

Top Scorer Award Nominees: Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL Top Scorer Award is given out annually to the highest-scoring player in the Canadian Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1994. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL Top Scorer), the Eddie Powers Trophy (OHL Top Scorer), and the Jean-Béliveau Trophy (QMJHL Scoring Champion).

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award Nominees: Steve Hamilton (Everett Silvertips / WHL), Dave Cameron (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL)

Named in recognition of former Ottawa 67’s head coach and CHL all-time wins leader Brian Kilrea, the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to one of the winners of the CHL’s Member League coaching honours: the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL Coach of the Year), the Matt Leyden Trophy (OHL Coach of the Year), and the Ron-Lapointe Trophy (QMJHL Coach of the Year).

Top Draft Prospect Award Nominees: Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds / OHL), Maddox Dagenais (Québec Remparts / QMJHL)

The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is presented annually to the top eligible prospect for the NHL Draft from the Canadian Hockey League. The award was first presented in 1991.

Sportsman of the Year Award Nominees: Braeden Cootes (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL), Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL Sportsman of the Year Award is given out annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy (WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), the William Hanley Trophy (OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), and the David-Desharnais Trophy (QMJHL Most Sportsmanlike & Effective Player).

Scholastic Player of the Year Award Nominees: Alex Weiermair (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Nathan Brisson (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL)

The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a Canadian Hockey League player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Daryl K. “Doc” Seaman Memorial Trophy (WHL Scholastic Player of the Year), the Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year), and the Marcel-Robert Trophy (QMJHL Scholastic Player of the Year).

Humanitarian of the Year Award Nominees: Shane Smith (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Marcus Kearsey (Charlottetown Islanders / QMJHL)

The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year), the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year), and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Lucic, 38, made the announcement via the NHL Players Association.

“Looking back on my career, I feel truly grateful to have fulfilled my dream of playing professional hockey, culminating with a Stanley Cup win in 2011 with the Boston Bruins,” Lucic said in a statement.

“I want to especially thank the Bruins for giving me my start in professional hockey and for instilling the confidence to reach new heights as a player.”

The 6-foot-3, 231-pound Lucic, who hails from Vancouver, B.C., spent two seasons as a member of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. During his rookie season in 2005-06, he emerged as an impact player during the playoffs, registering seven points (3G-4A) in 18 games as the Giants claimed the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions. At the 2006 NHL Draft, the Bruins called Lucic’s name during the second round (50th overall). He broke out during the 2006-07 WHL campaign, recording 68 points (30G-38A) in 70 games, adding another 19 points (7G-12A) in 22 WHL Playoff games.

Though the Giants fell in Game 7 of the WHL Championship, they went on to win the Memorial Cup as tournament hosts. Lucic tallied seven points (2G-5A) in five games and was presented with the Stafford Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the 2007 Memorial Cup. Part of Lucic’s championship performance included “The Shift” – where he laid out three heavy hits before taking on Jordan Bendfeld in a spirited heavyweight tilt.

Upon finishing his days with the Giants, Lucic made the immediate jump to the NHL, dressing in 77 games with the Bruins as an NHL rookie in 2007-08.

He spent the first eight seasons of his NHL career with the Bruins, helping Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011. The 2010-11 season goes into the books as the best of Lucic’s career – he logged 62 points (30G-32A) in 79 regular season games and added another 12 points (5G-7A) during post-season play.

Lucic was once again impactful as the Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup in 2013. The bruising winger posted 19 points (7G-12A) in 22 games, though Boston ultimately fell in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Over the course of 17 NHL seasons, Lucic posted five 20-goal campaigns. Following his time with the Bruins, he made stops with the Los Angeles Kings (2015-16), Edmonton Oilers (2016-17 to 2018-19) and Calgary Flames (2019-20 to 2022-23), before returning to Boston in 2023-24.

“Later in my career, I had the privilege of playing with some exceptional organizations in Los Angeles, Edmonton, and Calgary,” Lucic said. “I look back with fondness at the time I spent with each organization and for the remarkable teammates I had the pleasure of playing alongside.

“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the coaches, staff and fans from each team I was apart of. I also want to thank my agent, Gerry Johannson, for his guidance during my playing days.”

After a five-game American Hockey League tryout with the Springfield Thunderbirds this past season, Lucic wrapped up his professional career by playing 26 games with the Fife Flyers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom.

At the end of the road, Lucic’s ledger includes 1,177 career NHL regular season games, having scored 586 points (233G-353A), along with another 136 Stanley Cup playoff games and 77 points (29G-48A).

Lucic was the first player in Vancouver Giants history to reach 1,000 NHL games played, accomplishing the feat April 13, 2021. Prior to winning the Stanley Cup in 2011, he was named to the Vancouver Giants ring of honour.

In 2023, he represented Canada at the IIHF World Championship and helped his nation to a gold medal finish.

Vancouver Giants forward Mathis Preston found his way into the top 10 across a number of different categories, including isokinetic squat (second), anaerobic fitness – peak power output (T-2nd), 10m sprint (T-3rd), pro agility right (T-3rd), bench press (fourth), pull-ups (T-6th), and pro agility left (T-8th).

Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Ethan MacKenzie also enjoyed a quality showing at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine, including impressive efforts in anaerobic fitness – peak power output (T-2nd), bench press (third), pro agility right (T-3rd), pro agility left (T-4th), right-hand grip (T-6th), pull-ups (T-6th), and force plate – vertical jump (eighth).

Results below reflect the top 25 finishers in each respective combine test. The 2026 NHL Scouting Combine allowed NHL teams an opportunity to conduct interviews and receive physical and medical assessments of the top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Horizontal Jump (Inches)

3. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 116.0 9. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 113.3 12. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 109.5 T13. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 109.0 T21. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 108.3 T23. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 108.0

Aerobic Fitness (VO2max – ml/kg/min)

1. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 65.0 8. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 58.0 9. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 57.8 T20. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 54.2 T21. Ruck, Liam (Medicine Hat Tigers) – 54.1 T22. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 54.0

Pro Agility (Left – seconds)

T4. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 4.3 T4. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 4.3 T8. Preston Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 4.4 T8. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 4.4 T8. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 4.4 T8. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 4.4 T8. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 4.4

Pro Agility (Right – seconds)

T3. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 4.3 T3. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 4.3 T3. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 4.3 T3. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 4.3 T14. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 4.5 T14. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 4.5 T14. Olsen, Zach (Saskatoon Blades) – 4.5 T14. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 4.5 T14. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 4.5

Isokinetic Squat (lb/lb BW)

2. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 3.57 4. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 3.40 13. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 3.05 20. MacBeath, Ben (Calgary Hitmen) – 2.92 21. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 2.91 24. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 2.88

10M Sprint (seconds)

T3. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 2.04 T7. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 2.05 T9. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 2.06 T15. Olsen, Zach (Saskatoon Blades) – 2.11 T22. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 2.13 T22. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 2.13 T22. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 2.13 T22. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 2.13

Anaerobic Fitness – Peak Power Output (watts/kg)

T2. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 17.2 T2. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 17.2 5. Olsen, Zach (Saskatoon Blades) – 16.8 T11. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 16.5 14. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 16.2 T18. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 15.8

Wingspan (inches)

T6. Orsulak, Michal (Prince Albert Raiders) – 78.8 T15. Amrhein, Landon (Calgary Hitmen) – 77.8 18. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 77.5 T22. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 77.0 T22. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 77.0 T24. Rudolph, Daxon (Prince Albert Raiders) – 76.8

Anaerobic Fitness – Fatigue Index (% drop from peak)

T6. Sivertson, Jonah (Prince Albert Raiders) – 42.3 T6. Williams, Cooper (Saskatoon Blades) – 42.3 T11. Pantelas, Giorgos (Brandon Wheat Kings) – 45.0 T11. Hurlbert, JP (Kamloops Blazers) – 45.0 T14. Rudolph, Daxon (Prince Albert Raiders) – 45.5 16. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 45.9 T17. Ruck, Liam (Medicine Hat Tigers) – 46.3 19. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 46.4 20. MacBeath, Benjamin (Calgary Hitmen) – 47.0 T24. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 48.2 T24. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 48.2

Force Plate – No Arm Jump (inches)

6. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 20.0 8. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 19.5 9. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 19.4 T11. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 18.9 T11. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 18.9 13. Olsen, Zach (Saskatoon Blades) – 18.8 T15. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 18.5 T19. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 18.3 T21. Williams, Cooper (Saskatoon Blades) – 18.2 T24. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 17.8 T24. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 17.8

Force Plate – Vertical Jump (inches)

3. Vanhanen, Matias (Everett Silvertips) – 24.2 T5. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 22.8 8. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 22.4 T12. Williams, Cooper (Saskatoon Blades) – 21.7 16. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 21.5 T17. Olsen, Zach (Saskatoon Blades) – 21.3 19. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 21.1 22. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 20.8 24. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 20.5

Bench Press Power (watts/kg)

3. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 6.9 4. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 6.8 T7. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 6.6 T10. Ruck, Liam (Medicine Hat Tigers) – 6.4 T14. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 6.2 17. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 6.1 T18. MacBeath, Benjamin (Calgary Hitmen) – 6.0

Right-Hand Grip (lbs)

T6. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 175 T6. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 175 T8. Pantelas, Giorgos (Brandon Wheat Kings) – 173 T13. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 165 17. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 163 22. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 160

Left-Hand Grip (lbs)

2. Pantelas, Giorgos (Brandon Wheat Kings) – 183 T9. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 168 12. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 166 T13. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 165 T15. Sivertson, Jonah (Prince Albert Raiders) – 164 17. Harrington, Chase (Spokane Chiefs) – 161 T20. Gustafson, Jake (Portland Winterhawks) – 160

Pull-Ups (consecutive reps)

T3. Vanecek, Jakub (Tri-City Americans) – 16 T6. MacKenzie, Ethan (Edmonton Oil Kings) – 14 T6. McKenna, Gavin (Medicine Hat Tigers*) – 14 T6. Preston, Mathis (Vancouver Giants) – 14 T11. Lin, Ryan (Vancouver Giants) – 13 T15. Runtso, Timofei (Victoria Royals) – 12 T15. Sparks, Tyus (Spokane Chiefs) – 12 T15. Verhoeff, Keaton (Victoria Royals*) – 12

* = 2024-25 WHL Club

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 consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 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 over 50 years. The WHL is also the 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.

Ruedig joins the Broncos after a strong 2025-26 season that saw him suit up for three WHL clubs. The 6-foot defenceman began the campaign with the Portland Winterhawks before being traded to the Kamloops Blazers and later the Everett Silvertips, where he finished the season.

Across 66 regular season games this past season, Ruedig recorded 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points. He added two goals and four assists in 17 playoff games, helping Everett capture the WHL Championship. Ruedig also contributed one goal and two assists in five games at the Memorial Cup.

The Humboldt, Sask., product is no stranger to Swift Current, having previously played for the Swift Current Legionnaires AAA program during the 2023-24 season, where he served as an alternate captain.

“As a former Legionnaire, we are super excited to welcome Kayd back to Swift Current," said Travis Crickard, General Manager and Head Coach of the Broncos. "Kayd brings welcomed mobility and transition offense to our blue line. He also packs 34 games of WHL playoff experience, five Memorial Cup games, and a league championship ring. That experience will be super valuable in our room as we continue to improve everyday."

The Broncos welcome Kayd and his family to the organization.

“Acquiring this Wenatchee first round pick will give us some flexibility to acquire additional assets as we continue to improve our team while still giving us a quality chance of getting the guys we want in the import draft,” said Travis Crickard, General Manager and Head Coach of the Broncos.

The 2026 CHL Import Draft is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at 9 a.m. MT.

The Wild anticipate all three import players the 2025-26 roster will return to Wenatchee for 2026-27 – this includes goaltender Tobias Tvrznik, and defencemen Darian Rolsing and Michal Capos. Both Tvrznik (eighth) and Rolsing (138th) are ranked by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 6-foot-5 Rolsing, who originates from Germany, dressed in 62 games, recording nine points (1G-8A), while the 6-foot-4 Tvrznik – a product of Slovakia – went 16-18-2-2 with a 3.10 goals-against average, .910 save percentage, and one shutout. The 6-foot-5 Capos, who hails from Slovakia, saw action in 27 games and tallied eight points (1G-7A).

For the Broncos, they finished the 2025-26 campaign with two import players – 2008-born Russian forward Stepan Kuryachenkov is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, ranked 221st among North American skaters, while Czech defenceman Marek Rocak has now aged out following four seasons in the WHL.

Kuryachenkov logged 28 points (12G-16A) in 47 games after being a first-round pick (59th overall) of the Broncos in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.