Western Hockey League - Feed

Vees acquire Kings defensive prospect Pantelas in major trade with Wheat Kings

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:55:52 +0000

After putting the league on notice with a CHL record-setting inaugural season, the Penticton Vees are ready to prove year one was no fluke. The reigning B.C. Division champs have bolstered their blueline by adding Los Angeles Kings prospect Giorgos Pantelas in a trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings. In return, the Wheat Kings will receive the rights to 2010-born forward Carter Morris, a first-round pick in the 2029 WHL Prospects Draft, a conditional first-round selection in 2030, and a third-round pick in 2028.

Pantelas posted six goals and 31 assists for 31 points and a +19 rating in 68 regular-season games in 2025-26. Describing himself as a defensive defenceman with goals of developing his offensive touch, the 18-year-old finished second in scoring among Brandon defencemen while being trusted with increased minutes against opponents' top lines.

He was originally selected by the Wheat Kings with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

Pantelas, who was born in Quebec but raised in B.C., has also represented Canada in a gold medal-winning turn at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

He won bronze for his country at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and suited up for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored on the powerplay to help Team East to a 5-4 overtime win.

Los Angeles selected the 6-foot-2, 211-pound, right-shot defender with the 153rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Penticton selected Morris, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward, with the fourth overall selection in the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

The Anchorage, Alaska product has spent the last two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary's.

Penticton shattered the CHL record for wins by a club in its inaugural season with a 44-14-6-4 record.

The Vees topped the B.C. Division and finished second in the Western Conference, while going on to reach the Western Conference Championship in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

Brandon hit its stride in the second half of the campaign to go 40-26-2-0, good enough for a second-place finish in the East Division.

The Wheat Kings will open the 2026-27 season at home on Friday, September 18 as they host the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Penticton will kick off its sophomore WHL season on the road as they visit their playoff foes in Prince George.

The 2026-27 WHL season will stream for free on Victory+.

Regina Pats sign import defenceman Tomas Cermak

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:16:44 +0000

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is pleased to announce the signing of defenceman Tomas Cermak to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Cermak, 18, was selected by the Pats in the second round (85th overall) of the 2026 CHL Import Draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-shot defenceman from Plzeň, Czechia, spent the 2025-26 season with BK Mladá Boleslav U20 in the Czech U20 league, tallying five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 48 games. Cermak was also ranked 82nd among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

"We're very excited to get Tomas signed to a WHL Standard Player Education and Development Agreement," said Regina Pats General Manager Dale Derkatch. "I'm really looking forward to seeing Tomas in a Pats sweater as we feel he has the tools to be a dependable two-way defenceman for our squad."

Cermak becomes the latest addition to the Pats' growing young core as the Club continues preparations for the 2026-27 WHL season.

The Regina Pats would like to welcome Tomas and his family to the organization.

Royals, Hurricanes complete trade involving Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Filip Novak

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:16:56 +0000

Victoria, B.C., – The Victoria Royals announced today that they have acquired 2008-born forward Filip Novak from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for Victoria’s 2028 and a 2030 3rd round selections. Novak, who hails from Chomutov, Czechia, is a prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, having been drafted 206th overall in the 7th round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. A product of the HC Sparta Praha system, he spent time this past season with the Men’s and U20 side before being loaned to HC Stadion Litomerice in the Czech 2nd league. Across the leagues this year, he totalled 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games, and scored six points (four goals, two assists) in 10 playoff games. “Filip is a dynamic offensive player that we feel will be a key driver in our forward group“ said Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger. “We are very excited to add him to our team”. Novak has represented his native Czechia in a variety of international tournaments, including earning a silver medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games held in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The 6’1, 198 lbs. forward also played for Czechia at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, capping off the tournament by scoring a point per game. As a result of the move, the Royals have put 2007-born defenceman Mykola Kosarev on import waivers to get down to the allotted three import players clubs are allowed to carry.

Hitmen ink Flames prospect Jakob Leander to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:28:48 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Calgary Hitmen have signed Swedish defenceman and Calgary Flames prospect Jakob Leander to a WHL Scholarship and Development agreement.

Leander was selected by the Calgary Hitmen with the 48th overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.

The 6-foot-4 defenceman was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round (208th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. A native of Jönköping, Sweden, Leander spent the past three seasons developing in the HV71 program. During the 2025–26 season, the 18-year-old recorded 12 points (2G, 10A) in 36 games with HV71's U20 team.

"We are excited to officially welcome Jakob to our organization," said Calgary Hitmen General Manager Cass Bruni. "He complements our existing group of defencemen as a hard-to-play-against, right-shot defender. His size, competitiveness, and ability to defend make him a valuable addition to our blue line."

JAKOB LEANDER – DEFENCE

HOMETOWN: Jönköping, Sweden

DOB: March 1, 2008

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 209 lbs

SHOOTS: Right

Regular Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2025-26	HV71 U20	U20 Nationell	36	2	10	12	61
2024-25	HV71 J18	J18 Region	13	0	4	4	10

Royals sign Czech forward Marek Peroutka to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:27:38 +0000

Victoria, B.C., – The Victoria Royals announced the signing of 2007-born forward Marek Peroutka to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Peroutka, who stands at 6’4, 194 lbs., was selected by Victoria with the 58th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft on June 30th. Hailing from Most, Czechia, Peroutka grew up in the HC Litvinov system, playing this season primarily for the U20 team and making his Men’s league debut this past February. In 52 games this past season, Peroutka scored 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points and followed it up with four points in four games in the playoffs, including the primary assist on overtime winning goal that helped Litvinov U20 stay in their current league.

Blades sign Flyers prospect Martin Psohlavec to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:10:36 +0000

Saskatoon, Sask., – The Saskatoon Blades are thrilled to announce the signing of 2008-born goaltender Martin Psohlavec to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Ostrov, CZE native was drafted by the Blades in the first round (42nd overall) of the 2026 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. “Martin was the number one player on our list for the last several months,” said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, “Myself and Jeff Harvey have gotten to know him, and he’s just an outstanding kid full of energy and enthusiasm, on top of being a world-class goalie going in the second round at the NHL Draft. Martin really wanted to be in Saskatoon, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him join our club." The 18-year-old netminder was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in June. Psohlavec attended his first NHL Development Camp a few days later with the Flyers. The 6-foot-5 goalie played for HC Energie Karlovy Vary of the U20 Czechia League last season. Psohlavec appeared in 42 games and posted a 31-11-0 record, .928 save percentage (SV%), 1.92 goals against average (GAA), and eight shutouts. Psohlavec appeared in 12 games internationally with Czechia’s U18 squad, going 7-5-0 with a .910 SV%, 2.15 GAA, and one shutout. In four games at the U18 IIHF World Junior Championship, Psohlavec went 3-1-0 with a .926 SV% and 1.68 GAA. We want to extend a warm welcome to the Psohlavec family to the organization and look forward to watching Martin continue his development under the guidance of goalie coach Jeff Harvey and the rest of the coaching staff.

Thunderbirds sign Mammoth prospect Reko Alanko to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:23:27 +0000

Five current and incoming WHLers to participate in USA Hockey’s 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:00:42 +0000

Three current WHLers and one incoming skater will battle for a roster spot on Team USA for next month's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Gavin Burcar (Spokane Chiefs), Brooks DeMars (Penticton Vees), Kaeden Tate (Kamloops Blazers), future Brandon Wheat King Colin Grubb and soon-to-be Penticton Vee Whitaker Rewertz are among the 36 players invited to USA Hockey's Selection Camp in Saint Paul, Minn., starting on July 23. The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from August 3-8 in Edmonton, Alta. Burcar netted 17 points (7G-10A) in his rookie spin with the Spokane Chiefs and even netted his first WHL Playoff goal in the spring. Demars helped the Penticton Vees set a CHL record for wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season with 37 and tallied 13 points (6G-7A) of his own. Six-foot-4 goaltender Kaeden Tate got his feet wet in the league with a pair of appearances with the Blazers, going 2-0-0-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Brandon selected Grubb with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. The 17-year-old inked a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement in April of 2026 and will join the Wheat Kings starting in 2026-27. Whitaker, who signed with Penticton on June 30, has previously skated with his future Vees teammate DeMars at last year's USA S16 Tournament for Team Grey. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will see eight teams (Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States) go head-to-head at Edmonton's Downtown Community Arena and Rogers Place- the home of the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings. The United States will open their title defence against Czechia on Monday, August 3, 2026. Last year's tournament saw the United States capture gold for the second time in program history and the first time since 2003, with six WHLers - including NHL prospects Will McLaughlin (Portland Winterhawks / Vegas Golden Knights) and Noa Ta'amu (Edmonton Oil Kings / Winnipeg Jets)- helping to cap off the championship win. USA Hockey- 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp roster

Last Name	First Name	WHL Team	Hometown	Ht	Wt	Pos
Burcar	Gavin	Spokane Chiefs	Cota De Caza, Calif.	6'2	180	F
DeMars	Brooks	Penticton Vees	Hugo, Minn.	6'2	188	F
Grubb	Colin	Brandon Wheat Kings	Burlington, N.D.	6'0	185	F
Rewertz	Whitaker	Pencticton	Hibbing, Minn.	5'11	170	D
Tate	Kaeden	Kamloops Blazers	Huntington Beach, Calif.	6'4	185	G

VP Sports & Entertainment presents: Wheat Kings netminder Ruzicka signs with Minnesota Wild

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:06:17 +0000

Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Filip Ruzicka is the first goaltender selected in the 2026 NHL Draft to sign an entry-level contract with their NHL club. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound puckstopper has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Minnesota Wild, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced Tuesday. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2070942569887137893 Ruzicka is coming off a standout rookie campaign with the Wheat Kings. The 18-year-old went 26-14-1-0 with a 3.19 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and two shutouts. He ranked seventh among all qualified WHL netminders in save percentage and wins, while being named a finalist for WHL Goaltender of the Year. Ruzicka also went viral for a spirited goalie fight against Regina Pats puckstopper Taylor Tabashniuk on February 27. https://twitter.com/WHLPats/status/2027593835581235327 His penchant for the dramatic bled into the 2026 WHL Playoffs, where Ruzicka turned in an electric performance in his first postseason start. The Trinec, Cze. product steered aside 64 shots in a blistering 1-0 triple overtime loss to the Calgary Hitmen. Despite not coming out with the win, Ruzicka was named the first star of the game and garnered plenty of praise from teammates and opponents alike. "That was epic," Wheat Kings General Manager and Head Coach Marty Murray said prior to the NHL Draft. "He played his heart out and (had) a lot of saves that, I think, you probably had a feeling the game was going to end where he kind of come out of nowhere and used those long limbs of his to get across. Unfortunately, couldn't get one for him, but certainly he did his part and was exceptional, not only in that game but throughout the whole series." The Wild selected Ruzicka with the 137th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, N.Y. He's the second player developed in the WHL to sign an entry-level deal after the 2026 Draft, following Toronto Maple Leafs first-overall pick and former Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna.

29 WHL-drafted players to attend Canada’s National Under-17 Development Camp

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 17:57:26 +0000

Calgary, Alta.- Twenty-nine players drafted to the Western Hockey League have been invited to participate in Hockey Canada's National Under-17 Development Camp.

It's the first step towards earning a spot on Team Red or Team White at the 2026 U17 World Challenge.

The WHL contingent features 28 skaters who have signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement and comprises three goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 14 forwards.

Eighteen of the invitees were selected in the first round of the WHL Prospects Draft, including eight top-10 selections, highlighted by 2025 second overall pick Holden Wouters (Edmonton Oil Kings).

Fellow Oil Kings prospect Christopher Kokkoris also clocks in as the second-tallest player attending the camp at a staggering 6-foot-6.

Seventeen WHL clubs are represented, with the Red Deer Rebels leading the way with four participating players.

Red Deer is followed by the Kamloops Blazers with three draft picks earning invitations. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Edmonton Oil Kings, Regina Pats, Seattle Thunderbirds, Vancouver Giants and Wenatchee Wild all have two players attending.

The reigning WHL Champion Everett Silvertips, 2026 Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Penticton Vees, Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, Tri-City Americans and Victoria Royals have one player heading to camp.

Thirteen players appeared in WHL games in the 2025-26 regular season, led by Holowaychuk and Crosby Mateychuk (Vancouver Giants / Dominion City, Man.) with seven outings each.

Six-foot-2 forward Kalen Miles (Wenatchee Wild / Edmonton, Alta.) notably posted two goals and two assists in six call-up appearances, including a game-winning goal against the powerhouse Silvertips on March 20, 2026.

The camp roster features four members of the 2025 WHL Cup All-Star team, including forward Reid Nicol (Everett Silvertips / Brandon, Man.), forward Kalen Miles (Wenatchee Wild / Edmonton, Alta.), defenceman Cruz Jim (Brandon Wheat Kings / Grande Prairie, Alta.) and defenceman Crosby Mateychuk, Manitoba (Vancouver Giants / Dominion City, Man.), as well as tournament leading-scorer Athens Shingoose (Prince Albert Raiders / Waywayseecappo, Man.).

The camp runs from July 17-21 in Oakville, Ontario.

The 2026 U17 World Challenge is set for November 1-7 in Oakville.

Saskatoon Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva is the bench boss for Canada Red, with Lethbridge Hurricanes assistant coach Ryan Aasman also on staff, while Edmonton Oil Kings assistant coach Kyle Chipchura will serve as an assistant coach for Canada White.

Players will continue to be evaluated through the 2026-27 regular season before final rosters are announced.

2026 Hockey Canada National Under-17 Development Camp- WHL Roster

Last name	First name	WHL Club	Hometown	Height	Weight	Position
Meyer	Ben	Medicine Hat	Regina, Sask.	5'11	170	G
Mingo	Dylan	Moose Jaw	Peachland, B.C.	6'3	190	G
Nielson*	Chase	Red Deer	Fort Macleod, Alta.	6'1	170	G
Archer	Owen	Red Deer	Hamilton, Ont.	6'3	205	D
Ferreira	Mateo	Kamloops	Winnipeg, Man.	5'10	161	D
Greschuk	Roan	Victoria	Sturgeon County, Alta.	6'0	168	D
Haile	Brook	Seattle	Calgary, Alta.	5'11	172	D
Jim	Cruz	Brandon	Grande Prairie, Alta.	5'9	161	D
Kelts	Will	Kelowna	Consort, Alta.	6'3	198	D
Kokkoris	Christopher	Edmonton	Langley, B.C.	6'6	187	D
Liffiton	Thor	Penticton	Calgary, Alta.	6'3	172	D
Mateychuk	Crosby	Vancouver	Dominion City, Man.	6'0	185	D
Nicolay	Cruz	Regina	Rocky Mountain House, Alta.	6'1	170	D
Wolitski	Nolan	Red Deer	St. Albert, Alta.	6'4	185	D
Wouters	Holden	Edmonton	Vancouver, B.C.	6'4	174	D
Bouchard	Teagen	Kamloops	Falher, Alta.	5'7	165	F
Brown	Riley	Wenatchee	Milestone, Sask.	6'3	185	F
Fayad	Ahmad	Brandon	Edmonton, Alta.	5'10	174	F
Henry	Logan	Regina	Prince George, B.C.	5'10	187	F
Holowaychuk	Louis-Oscar	Vancouver	Vancouver, B.C.	5'9	141	F
Landreville	Cole	Edmonton	St. Claude, Man.	5'9	146	F
Martiniuk	Cain	Saskatoon	Peachland, B.C.	5'11	157	F
Miles	Kalen	Wenatchee	Edmonton, Alta.	6'2	181	F
Nicholas	Kane	Seattle	Campbell River, B.C.	5'9	146	F
Nicol	Reid	Everett	Brandon, Man.	6'1	194	F
Oliverio	Ben	Tri-City	Calgary, Alta.	5'9	165	F
Ondrus	Brady	Kamloops	Sherwood Park, Alta.	5'9	165	F
Shingoose	Athens	Prince Albert	Waywayseecappo, Man.	5'8	139	F
Turchak	Chace	Red Deer	Calgary, Alta.	5'11	161	F

*- Player has not signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement