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2026 WHL Graduates: Red Deer Rebels

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 19:24:07 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. Today, we check in on the veterans departing the Red Deer Rebels.

Talon Brigley (F) Hometown: Red Deer, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 329 GP – 62 G-67 A – 129 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 24th Overall (Red Deer Rebels) Every WHL game is filled with kids who dream of one day representing their hometown team. Just ask Talon Brigley. The Red Deer native has had the unique honour of being drafted by and playing his entire major junior career for his hometown team. The 5-foot-11, 176-pound forward made his debut against Calgary on September 16, 2021, and went on to pick up 14 points (8G-6A) in his first WHL campaign. Those totals would grow- he'd hit the 20-goal mark twice- but what truly set Brigley apart was his ironman reputation. Over five seasons, he only missed 11 games he was eligible for and played a full 68-game schedule twice. With 329 regular-season games played, Brigley has set a franchise record for most games played, shattering the previous record of 302, which was set by another Red Deer product, Jonathan Zukiwsky, back in 1997-98. He also ranks third in games played among all active WHL skaters. Brigley scored 129 points (62G-67A) over that span, in addition to four trips to the WHL Playoffs. He was honoured as the 29th captain in team history on October 2, 2025, and scored a goal and an assist in his final regular-season game against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Brigley graduates with 129 points (62G-67A) over five seasons. Tyson Yaremko (F) Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 127 GP – 27 G-32 A – 59 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Fourth Round, 68th Overall (Swift Current Broncos) 6-foot, 181-pound Tyson Yaremko showed plenty of perseverance in the face of adversity over his WHL career. He played just one game for the Swift Current Broncos in 2021-22 before returning to his U18AAA squad for the 2022-23 season. But a trade to Portland in August of 2023 changed everything. Yaremko contributed 14 points (4G-10A) in 58 games in his first full WHL season as the powerhouse Winterhawks dominated the Western Conference. The 2024 WHL Playoffs saw the Hawks march to the WHL Championship Series, with Yaremko chipping in a pair of goals (including an important marker in Game 3 of the final) and an assist in 18 games. Despite being limited to 35 games due to injury the following year, Yaremko blossomed with a career-best 30 points (14G-16A), scoring at a .86 points-per-game clip. Yaremko split his final season between Portland and Red Deer after being acquired by the Rebels at the 2026 WHL Trade Deadline. He contributed 12 points (7G-5A) over 21 games in Central Alberta, and now prepares to return home to represent the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Aleksey Chichkin (D) Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 182 GP – 10 G-28 A – 38 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Listed (Calgary Hitmen) Hard-nosed defender Aleksey Chichkin always made his presence known when he was on the ice. The 6-foot-5, 221-pound rearguard broke into the league as an undrafted free agent for the Calgary Hitmen in 2023-24- and promptly got dinged with 17 penalty minutes in his WHL debut. He was picked up by the Regina Pats in September of 2024 and scored seven points (3G-4A) in 32 games for the club before being scooped up by the B.C. Division's Prince George Cougars and played his first postseason matches with the Cats, picking up an assist in seven games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Chichkin, from Vancouver, B.C., played parts of two seasons in his home province before the Rebels called his name in October of 2025 in hopes of returning to the playoffs. His Red Deer tenure saw him register a career-high 16 points (4G-12A) and 71 penalty minutes in 52 outings. Chichkin wraps up his major junior career with 38 points (10G-28A) and 242 PIMs in 182 regular-season contests.

NHL Prospect Watch: Vegas Golden Knights

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 18:53:35 +0000

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. The Vegas Golden Knights are rolling the dice on a promising young group stacked with WHL experience.

Sean Burick Big Burr made a splash in his first spin in the WHL. The 6-foot-8, 214-pound defender logged four assists in 50 games with the Penticton Vees, but was also among the tops on the team with a +25 rating and 56 penalty minutes. His punishing style of play helped Penticton rank among the stingiest teams in the WHL while winning the B.C. Division and setting a CHL record for most wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season with 44. Burick, from San Clemente, Calif., picked up another pair of assists in 12 playoff games as the Vees reached the Western Conference Championship. The 18-year-old also represented the West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Vegas picked up Burick with the 95th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Jakub Demek Six-foot-four forward Jakub Demek had the rare honour of participating in the Memorial Cup in both of his WHL seasons. The Kosice, Slovakia product was just shy of a point-per-game with Edmonton in 2021-22 with 54 points (20G-34A) in 55 outings, before logging 17 points (5G-12A) in 19 playoff tilts to help the Oil Kings hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup. His sophomore season saw him traded to the Kamloops Blazers, where he battled injuries but recovered to post 11 points (4G-7A) in 14 playoff games and skate as the host team in the 2023 Memorial Cup. Drafted in the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Demek battled injuries in his third professional season, appearing in just four games for the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights and adding one assist. Still, Vegas liked what it saw in years prior and signed the 23-year-old to a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2026. Jordan Gustafson Sherwood Park's Jordan Gustafson dove into his first season of professional hockey by dividing his time between the ECHL'S Tahoe Knight Monsters and AHL Henderson. In the ECHL, he registered 29 points (9G-20A), highlighted by a monster three-goal, three-assist outing against Idaho. The 22-year-old also had one helper in six appearances with the Silver Knights and showed great signs of promise in the back half of the season. The 6-foot, 183-pound forward was drafted in the third round, 79th overall, back in 2022. Gustafson spent parts of five seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, culminating in a championship run in 2023, before spending his final major junior season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes for their run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Championship. All told, Gustafson popped off for 136 points (61G-75A) in 162 games over parts of six seasons and captained Seattle in 2023-24. Ben Hemmerling After missing the bulk of his first professional campaign with an upper-body injury, Ben Hemmerling showed just how effective he can be in a full, healthy campaign. The 5-foot-11, 177-pound forward popped off for 21 goals (including a pair of game-winners and a huge four-goal game against the Abbotsford Canucks) and 29 assists for 50 points in 68 games. Hemmerling led all Silver Knights rookies in scoring and finished third on the team in points. He was also tied for fourth in points among all AHL rookies. The 2022 sixth-round pick (177th overall) is looking like a steal after a dominant WHL career. Another Sherwood Park product, Hemmerling spent his entire major junior career with the Everett Silvertips, captaining the squad in his final year and notching 207 points (64G-143A) in 199 regular-season games over four seasons. He was named to the WHL U.S. Division Second All-Star Team in 2023-24 after erupting for 91 points (30G-61A) in 65 outings. Viliam Kmec Two-time WHL All-Star Viliam Kmec's first year in the pro ranks saw the 6-foot-3, 220-pound blueliner put up 16 points (4G-12A) in 65 games- not bad for one of the team's only rookie defenders! The Slovakian made the jump after earning a three-year, entry-level contract with Vegas as an undrafted free agent. Kmec, 22, had a statement career with the Prince George Cougars, netting 141 points (36G-105A) in 245 games over four seasons, highlighted by a run to the 2024 WHL Western Conference Championship. 2025-26 also saw the youngster skate for Slovakia at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he had a goal and an assist in seven appearances. Will McLaughlin Rookie Portland Winterhawks defenceman Will McLaughlin scored like a forward in 2025-26. The 18-year-old tallied 30 points (9G-21A) in 68 games to lead all Portland defencemen in scoring and rank third among all Hawks skaters with a +11 rating. The dual citizen from Canmore, Alta. won a historic gold medal for the United States at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and showed what he was capable of at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Vegas snapped up the 6-foot-3, 185-pound defender with the 159th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Noel Pakarinen Incoming forward alert! Fresh off of being selected with the 207th pick in the 2026 Draft in June, 6-foot-2, 198-pound forward Noel Pakarinen is gearing up for his first season of major North American hockey. The 18-year-old has inked a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Penticton Vees, where he'll get to know fellow Vegas prospect Sean Burick. Pakarinen spent most of 2025-26 with Kiekko-Espoo in the U20 SM-sarja, Finland's top junior league, where he scored 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 31 games. He also had an assist in nine appearances with Kiekko-Espoo's Liiga side. Jonah Sivertson One of four WHL-affiliated players selected by Vegas in 2026, Regina, Sask.'s Jonah Sivertson heard his name called 113th overall in the fourth round. The 6-foot-3, 193-pound winger enjoyed a statement rookie run with the Prince Albert Raiders, racking up 53 points (24G-29A) and a +46 rating in 66 outings. Sivertson led all Raiders rookies in scoring and tied for fourth in goals on the high-flying Raiders squad that earned 52 regular-season wins. His 24 goals were ninth among all WHL rookies. The 18-year-old's first trip to the WHL Playoffs saw him net 10 points (3G-7A) in 20 games as Prince Albert reached the 2026 WHL Championship Series. He also suited up for Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Kai Uchacz Silver Knights alternate captain Kai Uchacz got his first spin on NHL ice in 2025-26, earning three games with Vegas in February of 2026. While he's still waiting on his first NHL point, the Calgarian did average 12:11 of ice time in his NHL stint. At the AHL level, he wore an 'A' for Henderson and logged 51 points (20G-31A) in 68 games, good for third on the team in points and fifth in goals. Uchacz, now 23, totalled 209 points (109G-100A) in 245 games across five seasons with the Red Deer Rebels and Seattle Thunderbirds and captained the Rebels for his final junior season. He signed with Vegas as an undrafted free agent in March of 2025. Alex Weiermair Call Alex Weiermair a student of the game! The 21-year-old dominated on and off the ice in his final major-junior season as he earned WHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year honours while scoring 93 points (37G-56A) in 66 games for the Winterhawks. The Los Angeles, Calif. product was fifth in the WHL scoring race and third in faceoff wins with 740 (53.8%). He was also named a finalist for the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player with 28 penalty minutes and made his professional debut with the Tahoe Knight Monsters following Portland's exit from the WHL Playoffs. Weiermair graduates from the league with 139 points (58G-81A) in 107 games over two seasons. He was originally selected with the 186th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft and signed his three-year, entry-level contract in March of 2026.

2026 WHL Graduates: Prince George Cougars

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:51:26 +0000

Bauer Dumanski (D) Hometown: Lockwood, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 309 GP – 24 G-89 A – 113 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 26th Overall (Prince George Cougars) Sturdy defender Bauer Dumanski bows out as a captain, a career Cougar, and one of the most prolific blueliners in club history. The Lockwood, Sask. product made his WHL debut on October 8, 2021, against the Vancouver Giants, and scored his first goal against the G-Men one month later. Over five seasons, Dumanski played a key role in establishing the Cougars as a B.C. Division powerhouse. He never missed the playoffs in his WHL career. In 2023-24, he potted seven goals (including four game-winners) and 26 assists for 33 points and a +36 rating as the Cats claimed the B.C. Division title. That spring, he added another four points (1G-3A) to help the team reach Game 6 of the 2024 WHL Western Conference Championship. After wearing an 'A' the following year, Dumanski was crowned the 31st captain in Prince George's history and responded with a career-best 39-point (9G-30A) campaign. Notably, he played his 300th WHL game on February 25, 2026, becoming the fifth-ever Prince George player to hit the milestone. He also scored the game-opening goal in his final regular-season spin- a 4-3 shootout win over the Victoria Royals. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound rearguard closes out his career with 113 points (24G-89A) in 309 games, while ranking second in game-winning goals by a Prince George defender (8) and fourth in all-time games played. Kooper Gizowski (F) Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 306 GP – 80 G-89 A – 169 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 40th Overall (Spokane Chiefs) The end of the 2024-25 season saw Kooper Gizowski end up on the waiver wire. Instead of floundering, the 5-foot-10, 171-pound winger flourished and embraced a victory lap with the WHL's northernmost club. But it all started in Spokane, where Gizowski debuted on October 2, 2021, registering an assist against the Tri-City Americans after being selected 40th overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. His rookie season saw him net eight points (4G-4A) before demolishing those numbers with a 26-point (11G-15A) sophomore run with the Chiefs. The burgeoning winger was scooped up by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a mid-summer trade and played an important role with the Canes for the next two seasons, culminating in the team's run to the 2025 Eastern Conference Championship, where Gizowski tallied nine points (5G-4A) in 16 postseason matches, including back-to-back game-winning goals against the Calgary Hitmen in Round Two. But with too many 20-year-olds on the roster, Gizowski found himself on the outside looking in, and the Cougars picked him up for what would become his defining season. Gizowski erupted for 32 goals (including nine game-winners) and 40 assists for 72 points in 67 games in 2025-26. He finished second on the Cougars in goals and ranked fifth in the WHL in game-winning strikes, while finishing above a point-per-game pace in the playoffs with 13 (4G-9A) in 12 tilts. Like Dumanski, Gizowski is a member of the elite 300+ games-played club, having hit the mark against the Penticton Vees on March 10, 2026. Gizowski graduates from the WHL with 80 goals and 89 assists for 169 points in 306 regular-season games. Dawson Seitz (F) Hometown: Medicine Hat, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 259 GP – 40 G-40 A – 80 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – First Round, 20th Overall (Edmonton Oil Kings) Once a champion, always a champion. When Dawson Seitz broke into the WHL full-time as a 20th-overall pick of the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2021-22, he had to carve out a niche on a squad stacked with elite talent. He potted nine points (7G-2A) in 49 games, but the biggest experience came in the 2022 WHL Playoffs. After being held out of Edmonton's first two games, Seitz scored in two of his first three playoff matches as the Oil Kings throttled the competition to claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the 2022 Memorial Cup. The high of winning it all in his rookie season brought a steep learning curve in the years ahead, as Seitz took on a bigger role and added six points (3G-3A) in 45 games the following year. The Wenatchee Wild traded for Seitz the following season for the franchise's first season in Washington. Seitz helped the Wild reach the WHL postseason for the first time in the club's new city, and took off for a career year in 2024-25, netting 32 points (17G-15A) in 62 contests. The Cougars acquired the Medicine Hat, Alta. native midway through his final season, and Seitz contributed five goals (including two game-winners) and three assists in 26 outings in a Cougars uniform. Seitz wraps up his WHL career with 80 points (40G-40A) in 259 games across parts of six seasons.

2026 WHL Graduates: Prince Albert Raiders

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 19:18:15 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. Today, we continue with a trio who gave it their all with the Prince Albert Raiders.

Aiden Oiring (F) Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 267 GP – 90 G-145 A – 235 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Third Round, 58th Overall (Winnipeg ICE) He is Iron Man. Aiden Oiring's introduction to the WHL saw him play 32 games over parts of two seasons with the then-Winnipeg ICE. But after being traded to the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2022-23 season, he didn't miss a single opportunity to don the green and gold. Oiring suited up for every possible game for the Raiders, marking 271 consecutive regular-season and playoff games. The Calgarian enjoyed three consecutive 20-plus goal campaigns in Hockeytown North, starting with a 50-point (21G-29A) run in 2023-24, before erupting for a career-best 85-point (29G-56A) campaign in 2024-25. Oiring led the WHL with a staggering 926 faceoff wins (54.7%). In the 2025 WHL Playoffs, Oiring had 14 points (6G-8A) to reach the second round, highlighted by six goals (including the series-winner) and five assists to erase a 3-1 series deficit and defeat Edmonton in Game 7 of their first-round series. He averaged above a point-per-game again in his final campaign, netting 69 points (28G-41A), including the annual Teddy Bear Toss goal, to help the Raiders to a 52-win season. Oiring racked up 20 points (8G-12A) in 20 postseason contests to reach the 2026 WHL Championship Series, while flexing his faceoff mastery with a league-best 248 wins at the dot (57%). Oiring spent his final two seasons as an alternate captain and graduates from the WHL with 235 points (90G-145A) in 267 career games over parts of five seasons. Brayden Dube (F) Hometown: Roblin, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 246 GP – 77 G-83 A – 160 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 29th Overall (Seattle Thunderbirds) Brayden Dube has always been about being where his feet are. After being drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round of the 2020 WHL Draft, Dube spent his 16-year-old season with the Junior A Dauphin Kings and captured the 2022 Manitoba Junior Hockey League championship. He broke into the WHL with the T-Birds in 2022, scoring in his first regular-season game, but found himself making tracks for Saskatchewan 14 games into his WHL career as part of the blockbuster Nolan Allan trade. The Roblin, Man. native continued to climb with 29 points (17G-12A) in his first full season with Prince Albert as the team started to build into an Eastern Conference powerhouse. By 2024-25, he erupted for a career-best 31 goals and 36 assists for 67 points in 68 games, finishing second on the Raiders in goals. His final season was marked by plenty of highs- including his first career hat trick and three-straight game-winning goals on the team's U.S. Division road trip in November. Perhaps none of those goals were bigger than his overtime winner against his former club in Seattle on November 14, 2025. Dube netted 51 points (24G-27A) in total. Dube's final trip to the WHL Playoffs saw him kick off the postseason with a six-game point streak, ultimately logging 19 points (7G-12A) in 20 games. The speedy forward made the most of his time in the league and leaves with 160 points (77G-83A) in 246 games over four seasons and memories that will last a lifetime. Justice Christensen (D) Hometown: Red Deer, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 263 GP – 55 G-93 A – 148 points
WHL Draft: Listed (Prince Albert Raiders) Prince Albert's outgoing captain proves that the WHL Draft doesn't define what a player can achieve in major junior. In fact, his name was never called at all. The Red Deer, Alta. product earned a roster spot as an undersized defenceman who was invited to training camp in 2022-23. Christensen's first season was more defined by his 66 penalty minutes than his nine points (2G-7A), but the soul-and-sandpaper rearguard took off in the seasons ahead. His sophomore campaign saw him break out with 45 points (13G-32A), earning a berth on the 2024 WHL East Division Second All-Star team. The Raiders dubbed Christensen the 49th captain in team history in 2024-25, and he responded with a blistering 22-goal, 24-assist run. He led all WHL defenders in goals and the 'juice bomb' became something of a signature. Christenson's final season saw him pot a career-high 48 points (18G-30A) without sacrificing the toughness that solidified his hardscrabble reputation around the league. He added another 14 points (5G-9A) in 20 playoff games to reach the WHL Championship Series and, after going undrafted at the NHL level, is preparing to make his professional debut after signing an AHL deal with the Grand Rapids Griffins as a free agent. Christensen bows out of the WHL with 148 points (55G-93A) and 296 penalty minutes in 263 games over four seasons.

NHL Prospect Watch: Vancouver Canucks

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:28:53 +0000

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. After becoming one of the youngest players to ever debut for the Canucks, will 2025-2026 WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player award-winner Braeden Cootes stick with the NHL squad full-time this season?

Parker Alcos Six-foot-4, 186-pound defenceman Parker Alcos is coming off a career-best season and unforgettable experience at the 2026 Memorial Cup. Alcos was scooped up by the Kelowna Rockets in a blockbuster trade at the 2026 WHL Trade Deadline in anticipation of hosting the CHL's top tournament. The 20-year-old totalled 30 points (5G-25A) in 63 games with the Rockets and Edmonton Oil Kings, with whom he spent three previous seasons. The Port Moody, B.C. product tacked on four assists in nine playoff matches and suited up for three games at the Memorial Cup. The mobile blueliner owns 60 points (7G-53A) in 199 regular-season WHL contests. He was drafted by the Canucks with the 189th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Yaroslav Bryzgalov On a Medicine Hat Tigers club stacked with offensive talent, Belarusian winger Yaroslav Bryzgalov managed to carve out quite a niche for himself in his first spin in the Dub. Bryzgalov netted 55 points (13G-42A) and a +37 rating in 55 games, leading all Tigers rookies in points while finishing fourth on the Tabbies in assists. He found himself dishing the puck plenty in the postseason with 14 points (2G-12A) to help the team reach the Eastern Conference Championship. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound forward had a pair of assists for Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game and heard his name called 97th overall in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Cole Clayton Former Tigers alternate captain Cole Clayton is getting a fresh start in a new organization after clawing his way into the AHL ranks. After breaking into the AHL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Monsters in 2021-22, Clayton split this season between the San Jose Barracuda and Abbotsford Canucks, putting up two goals and 11 assists in 65 games across both organizations. The 26-year-old inked a one-year, two-way deal with the Canucks on June 16, 2026. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defender from Strathmore, Alta. suited up for 214 regular-season games over parts of five seasons in the Gas City, amassing 88 points (17G-71A) and earning the alternate captaincy in 2020-21. Braeden Cootes A rollercoaster season saw Sherwood Park, Alta.'s Braeden Cootes don four different jerseys. First, the Flying Skate crest as he debuted for the Canucks at just 18 years old. After three games in the show, he returned to Seattle to captain the Thunderbirds before pulling on the Maple Leafs en route to a bronze-medal effort for Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Finally, Cootes joined the Prince Albert Raiders in a blockbuster trade-deadline deal to battle all the way to the 2026 WHL Championship Series. All told, Cootes enjoyed his most productive WHL season yet with 63 points (24G-39A) in 45 games with Seattle and Prince Albert. The 6-foot, 183-pound pivot tied for third in playoff scoring with 23 points (7G-16A) in 20 games, highlighted by 18 multipoint outings. Cootes was only held off the scoresheet once in the Championship Series (1G-4A), though the Raiders would fall to the Everett Silvertips. He was also named the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player for 2025-26. The 2025 15th overall pick will now set his sights on becoming a full-time NHLer after establishing himself as a leader and impact presence at every level of junior hockey. Sawyer Mynio Cootes' old T-Birds teammate Sawyer Mynio made a splash in his first season of professional hockey by being dubbed the Abbotsford Canucks Rookie of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 181-pound defender tallied 21 points (3G-18A) to lead all Abbotsford rookies in scoring and finish second among all team defencemen, while playing in all situations as the squad battled the injury bug in the early goings of the campaign. The 21-year-old will be on the hunt to make his NHL debut in 2026-27. Mynio, from Kamloops, B.C., played four seasons in the WHL, largely with Seattle before joining the Calgary Hitmen for a playoff push in his final year, racking up 140 points (39G-101A) in 227 games. He picked up four points (1G-3A) in 19 games to help the T-Birds hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2023 and represented Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Chase Wouters 2025-26 marked a major turning point for the longtime AHL captain. After five long seasons with the Abbotsford Canucks, including four wearing the 'C', the undrafted forward signed his first NHL deal- a one-year, two-way contract- on June 17. Wouters, 26, posted 26 points (11G-15A) in 2025-26, bringing his AHL career total to 120 (43G-77A). He’s won the team’s Man of the Year award four times, helped the team capture the Calder Cup in 2025, and ranks as the franchise leader in regular-season games played (338) as well as playoff matches (38). Hailing from North Battleford, Sask., Wouters logged 181 points (75G-106A) in 280 regular-season games over parts of six seasons with the Saskatoon Blades, where he served as captain for three seasons and set the mark as the longest-serving ‘C’ in the Blades’ storied history. Ty Young Twenty-one-year-old Ty Young's second season of professional hockey saw him split time between the Abbotsford Canucks and the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. At the AHL level, Young went 6-10-1 with a 3.36 goals-against average, an .884 save percentage and two shutouts, highlighted by a 24-save clean sheet against the Calgary Wranglers on April 11. With the K-Wings, Young owned a 7-5-1 record, a 3.26 GAA, and an .896 save percentage. The 6-foot-3, 181-pound puckstopper is entering the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract after originally being drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. The Coaldale, Alta. product spent his entire WHL career with the Prince George Cougars, going 44-35-7-3 with a 3.36 GAA, an .896 save percentage and two shutouts.

CHL Notebook: Busy offseason brings change across CHL ahead of 2026-27

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:51:15 +0000

By: Dylan Baker / Canadian Hockey League New faces are settling into new places as the 2026-27 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) season comes into focus, with training camps opening across the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). From new voices behind the bench to high-profile player moves and rare interleague matchups, the offseason has reshaped rosters and coaching staffs across all three leagues. Here's a look at some of the biggest storylines as clubs prepare for puck drop in September.

Stepping Up Behind the Bench

Fifteen clubs across the CHL will enter the 2026-27 season with a new head coach. https://twitter.com/MJWARRIORS/status/2083236245313032532?s=20 Out west, five WHL clubs hired new head coaches. The Moose Jaw Warriors promoted Scott King to head coach, replacing Mark O'Leary, who left to become an assistant coach with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks. The Red Deer Rebels named Brent Kisio head coach, taking over for Marc Habscheid; Kisio previously led Lethbridge from 2015 to 2023. The Regina Pats hired David Bell to replace Brad Herauf — Bell was most recently head coach of the AHL's Belleville Senators. In Swift Current, the Broncos named Travis Crickard head coach and general manager, replacing interim boss Regan Darby; Crickard arrives from the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Giants welcomed back Michael Dyck as head coach and general manager, returning him to the organization after five previous seasons behind the Giants' bench. Six OHL clubs also made changes behind the bench. The Brantford Bulldogs hired Michael Babcock as head coach, replacing Jay McKee, who left for the AHL's Hamilton Hammers; it's Babcock's first CHL job after assistant stints at the University of Saskatchewan and with the AHL's San Diego Gulls. The reigning Memorial Cup champion Kitchener Rangers promoted associate coach Jeff Kyrzakos, taking over for Jussi Ahokas, who left for the AHL's Colorado Eagles. The Niagara IceDogs hired longtime OHL coach Jake Grimes to replace Krys Barch; Grimes has three decades of coaching experience, including an OHL title and a Memorial Cup as an assistant. In Owen Sound, the Attack named Keenan Reynolds head coach, replacing Scott Wray. The Saginaw Spirit hired alumnus Brendan Taylor following Chris Lazary's departure. And the Soo Greyhounds brought back 2018 CHL Coach of the Year Drew Bannister, who led the club to a Western Conference title in his first stint and has since coached in the AHL and NHL with the St. Louis Blues. https://twitter.com/OHLprguy/status/2069148564601659730?s=20 In the QMJHL, four teams made changes behind the bench. The Baie-Comeau Drakkar promoted Patrice Bosch from associate to head coach, taking over from GM Jean-François Grégoire; Bosch has 28 years of coaching experience across the QMJHL and Swiss leagues. In Charlottetown, the Islanders named John Mitchell head coach, succeeding longtime coach Jim Hulton. It's Mitchell's first junior job after leading Okanagan Hockey Academy-Colorado. The Drummondville Voltigeurs promoted Mathieu Gravel to replace Sylvain Favreau, who joined the AHL's Syracuse Crunch as an assistant. Hulton, meanwhile, landed in Saint John, where the 2022 Brian Kilrea CHL Coach of the Year took over the Sea Dogs following an 11-year run with Charlottetown.

New Faces, New Places

Teams across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL spent the summer retooling as they chase league championships on the road to the 107th Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Guelph, Ont. https://twitter.com/Storm_City/status/2068015956538835214?s=20 The host Guelph Storm have been among the OHL's most active clubs. Their additions include four NHL-drafted prospects: Tampa Bay's Ethan Czata and Chicago's Ryan Roobroeck from Niagara, New York Islanders prospect Vladimir Dravecky from Brantford and Columbus prospect Owen Griffin from Oshawa. They later added Barrie netminder Ben Hrebik, who starred in the 2026 playoffs, and top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Timothy Kazda in the CHL Import Draft. Elsewhere in the OHL, the Peterborough Petes and Brantford Bulldogs completed a notable swap of young forwards, with Cooper Dennis heading to Peterborough and 2025 first overall pick Kaden McGregor going to Brantford. Overage goaltender Ryerson Leenders moved from Brantford to Owen Sound, entering the season 32 victories shy of the OHL's career wins record. The Erie Otters added forward Liam Beamish and goaltender David Egorov, while the Flint Firebirds picked up New Jersey Devils goaltending prospect Trenten Bennett from Owen Sound. Atlantic-based clubs were among the QMJHL's busiest this summer. The Saint John Sea Dogs added Buffalo Sabres goaltending prospect Samuel Meloche from Rouyn-Noranda before acquiring defenceman Thomas Charbonneau and forward Ryan Howard from Québec. The Cape Breton Eagles made several significant additions of their own, landing Washington Capitals prospect Maxim Schäfer, Ottawa Senators goaltending prospect Lucas Beckman, Los Angeles Kings prospect Liam Lefebvre and defenceman Alonso Gosselin from Chicoutimi. And the Halifax Mooseheads added Vegas Golden Knights prospect Mateo Nobert from Blainville-Boisbriand and Austrian forward Paul Sintschnig, the second overall selection in the 2026 CHL Import Draft. https://twitter.com/CBEHockey/status/2063049703634133440?s=20 Elsewhere in the QMJHL, Québec signed two top prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft in Carter Meyer and James Scantlebury; Shawinigan added Boston Bruins prospect Cole Chandler and German forward Elias Schneider from Cape Breton; Victoriaville picked up overage forward Thomas Desruisseaux; and Moncton added Liam Kilfoil from Halifax before signing goaltender Yegor Rybkin, a first-round CHL Import Draft selection. In the WHL, the Victoria Royals and Medicine Hat Tigers made some of the summer's biggest splashes. Victoria landed Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt, coming off a 51-goal, 100-point season, along with forward Savin Virk from Tri-City and the rights to Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Filip Novak from Lethbridge. Medicine Hat, looking to build on its 2025 Ed Chynoweth Cup title, added forward Josh Evaschesen from Kamloops and the rights to Calgary Flames prospect Mace'o Phillips, a defenceman, from Portland. Both clubs were also active in adding international talent through the 2026 CHL Import Draft. Other WHL moves included Los Angeles Kings prospect Giorgos Pantelas, a defenceman, moving from Brandon to Penticton, draft-eligible defenceman Owen Hayden going from Kelowna to Seattle, and Regina signing forward Parker Trottier, a Montreal Canadiens prospect and the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Trottier.

Crossover Episode!

https://twitter.com/victoriaroyals/status/2089761026493575668?s=20 Interleague play will provide some of the most intriguing matchups of the preseason and regular season. The first meeting between WHL and OHL clubs outside the Memorial Cup since 2010 will take place in Victoria, where the London Knights visit the Royals for the two-game “Clash of the Kingdoms” on Sept. 4 and 5. The OHL and QMJHL will also meet when the Saginaw Spirit visit the Newfoundland Regiment from Aug. 28-31, while the Sudbury Wolves travel to Timmins to face the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies on Sept. 2. The crossover continues into the regular season with eight OHL-QMJHL games across four home-and-home series. Val-d'Or visits North Bay on Nov. 1 before the Battalion make the return trip on Jan. 22; Sudbury hosts Rouyn-Noranda on Nov. 1, with the Huskies hosting the rematch on Feb. 21; Gatineau hosts Ottawa on Nov. 20 before the 67's host the Olympiques on Nov. 22; and Blainville-Boisbriand and Kingston meet in Kingston on Nov. 22 and in Blainville-Boisbriand on Jan. 17. https://twitter.com/KingstonFronts/status/2064754490562039999?s=20 Then, the 2026-27 regular season officially gets underway in the third week of September. The OHL opens on Sept. 17 when Kingston visits Peterborough, while the QMJHL and WHL begin their campaigns on Sept. 18 with eight- and five-game opening-night slates, respectively. By Sept. 18, all three leagues will be underway — with a new-look CHL officially beginning its road to the 2027 Memorial Cup in Guelph.

2026 WHL Graduates: Portland Winterhawks

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:13:08 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series.

Today, we continue with the graduating duo from the Portland Winterhawks.

Alex Weiermair (F)

Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
WHL Career Stats: 107 GP – 58 G-81 A – 139 points
WHL U.S. Priority Draft: 2020 – First Round, 16th Overall (Portland Winterhawks)
NHL Draft: 2025 – Sixth Round, 186th Overall (Vegas Golden Knights)

Star, scholar, leader.

Alex Weiermair's Western League career is impossible to be defined by just one word.

Originally selected 16th overall by the Portland Winterhawks in the 2020 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, the Los Angeles product waited until the 2024-25 WHL Season to make his long awaited debut.

And, was the wait ever worth it.

Weiermair's first game as a member of the Portland Winterhawks came on December 7, 2024. That same night, the high-scoring forward collected his first goal and multi-point outing against the Vancouver Giants.

Weiermair finished his first WHL campaign with 46 points (21 G-25 A) in 41 games before taking his game to another level during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. He registered 23 points (10 G-13 A) in 18 postseason appearances as Portland advanced to the Western Conference Championship Series for the second consecutive season.

His first Western League campaign wound up catching the attention of NHL clubs, as the forward was selected in the sixth round (186th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Riding the high of hearing his name called at the NHL Draft, Weiermair's second – and final – season in the WHL also turned heads.

Weiermair led the Winterhawks with 93 points (37 G-56 A) in 66 regular season games, finishing fifth in WHL scoring. His campaign was further celebrated by receiving the 2025-26 Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the WHL's Scholastic Player of the Year, as well as the CHL's Scholastic Player of the Year.

And, the accolades didn't stop there. On March 1, 2026, Weiermair also put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.

Weiermair closes out his WHL career with 139 points (58 G-81 A) in 107 regular season appearances and 27 points in 22 career playoff games.

Niko Tsakumis (D)

Hometown: Richmond, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 197 GP – 6 G-40 A – 46 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Sixth Round, 117th Overall (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Niko Tsakumis graduates from the Western Hockey League no stranger to the Pacific Northwest.

Originally selected 117th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the sixth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, the blueliner made his WHL debut on November 24, 2021, against the Kamloops Blazers. Tsakumis went on to score his first career WHL goal just one game later, lighting the lamp against the Kelowna Rockets.

After parts of two seasons with Seattle, Tsakumis was acquired by the Everett Silvertips on December 2, 2022. He spent the next season and a half with Everett, skating in 78 regular season games and collecting 19 points (4 G-15 A).

Tsakumis also made his first WHL Playoffs appearance with the Silvertips in 2024, recording three points (1 G-2 A) in nine games.

On May 9, 2024, Tsakumis was acquired by the Kamloops Blazers from Everett. He recorded six assists in 29 games during the 2024-25 campaign before another move sent him to Edmonton on December 28, 2024.

The Oil Kings provided Tsakumis with another opportunity to grow his game, returning to Edmonton to begin the 2025-26 season. He recorded six assists in 23 games before finding himself on the move for the final time in his junior hockey career.

On January 6, 2026, Tsakumis was acquired in a 2026 WHL Trade Deadline deal by the Portland Winterhawks.

The move brought the veteran blueliner back to the U.S. Division and gave him an opportunity to close out his WHL career in Portland. Tsakumis added three assists in 17 regular season appearances with the Winterhawks, finishing the 2025-26 campaign with nine points in 40 games between Edmonton and Portland.

In total, Tsakumis closes out his WHL career with 197 regular season games, collecting 46 points (6 G-40 A).

NHL Prospect Watch: Utah Mammoth

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 19:14:49 +0000

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. Tij Iginla is next up in a long line of prospects looking to break ice with the Mammoth in 2026-27.

Sebastian Cossa The 23-year-old puck stopper from Fort McMurray, Alta., is set for a fresh start in Salt Lake City after being dealt to the Mammoth from the Detroit Red Wings during the 2026 NHL Draft. A first-round selection (15th overall) of the Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa backstopped the Edmonton Oil Kings to the 2022 WHL Championship – capping an excellent WHL career that saw him go 71-16-4-3 with a 2.12 goals-against average, .921 save percentage, and 14 shutouts in 98 career regular season appearances. Originally selected by the Oil Kings in the second round (36th overall) of the 2017 WHL Draft, Cossa was named to the WHL's Central Division First All-Star Team in 2021-22 with a record of 33-9-2-1. Since turning pro in 2022-23, the 6-foot-6, 209-pound puck stopper owns an AHL record of 70-33-19 with a 2.46 GAA, .911 SV%, and eight shutouts. He made his NHL debut with the Red Wings on December 9, 2024, coming on in relief and making 12 saves to help the Red Wings to a 6-5 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Terrell Goldsmith A 21-year-old product of Fort St. James, B.C., Goldsmith will look to get back to action after appearing in only three games with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners in 2025-26. The 6-foot-4, 218-pound shutdown defenceman was a physical force during his time in the WHL, appearing in 241 career regular season contests split between the Prince Albert Raiders and Tri-City Americans. Goldsmith's hard-nosed approach on the blue line earned him an NHL opportunity when the Arizona Coyotes selected him in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He was originally a first-round pick (15th overall) of the Raiders in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. Tij Iginla The 20-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., is poised to make a serious push to be on the opening night roster for the Utah Mammoth after recording a monstrous season with the WHL's Kelowna Rockets. The 6-foot, 192-pound winger was superhuman during the 2025-26 season, registering 90 points (41G-49A) in a mere 48 regular season contests. He was named a finalist for the WHL's Four Broncos Memorial Trophy – presented annually to the WHL's Player of the Year and also earned a place on the WHL's Western Conference First All-Star Team. Iginla's dominant effort in 2025-26 was a welcome sign for Mammoth fans, after his 2024-25 campaign was cut short due to injury. Selected by the Mammoth in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Iginla represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting eight points (4G-4A) in seven games, along with a bronze medal. Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. He won a WHL Championship as a member of the Thunderbirds in 2022 and tallied 225 points (108G-117A) in 184 regular season contests split between Seattle and Kelowna. Ben McCartney The 25-year-old product of Macdonald, Man., has turned into a valuable leader within the Mammoth organization, having served as an alternate captain for the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners for three consecutive seasons. The 6-foot, 198-pound winger has been a consistent producer at the AHL level, recording 161 points (69G-92A) in 274 career AHL regular season games. During the 2021-22 season, he made his NHL debut with the Coyotes, getting into two regular season games. Prior to advancing to pro hockey, McCartney spent four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings, including the last season as an alternate captain. Originally selected by the Wheat Kings in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2016 WHL Draft, McCartney posted 151 points (61G-90A) in 205 career WHL regular season games. He was selected by the Coyotes in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. Montana Onyebuchi For an undrafted, bruising defenceman, 26-year-old Montana Onyebuchi has done pretty good for himself. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound rearguard is heading into his four campaign with the Utah Mammoth organization, aiming to break through for an NHL debut in 2026-27. Following a hardworking, five-year WHL career, Onyebuchi signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda for 2021-22. The Arizona Coyotes took note of Onyebuchi from afar, and prior to the 2023-24 campaign, he signed an NHL entry-level contract with the Club. Since then, he has played a punishing role on the blue line for the Roadrunners, amassing 324 minutes in penalties over three seasons in the desert. Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the third round (63rd overall) of the 2015 WHL Draft, Onyebuchi played in 257 career WHL regular season games split between the Tips and Kamloops Blazers. He served as an alternate captain for the Blazers during his final two seasons, quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite. Max Psenicka A 19-year-old product of Praha, Czechia, the 6-foot-5, 194-pound Psenicka has shone in two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks. Psenicka broke into the WHL during the 2024-25 season, appearing in 24 regular season games and 18 post-season contests. He showed well enough to impress Utah's staff and the Mammoth called his name in the second round (46th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles. Psenicka's first full campaign in the WHL saw him flash some offensive upside, as he tallied 30 points (8G-22A) in 53 games. He also represented Czechia at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, logging three points (1G-2A) in seven games to help his country to a silver medal. Psenicka is expected back with the Winterhawks for the 2026-27 season after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Mammoth on July 22, 2026. Veeti Vaisanen Following two seasons in the WHL, 20-year-old Vaisanen is set to make his return to pro hockey with JYP Jyvaskyla of the Finnish Hockey League in 2026-27. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Vaisanen was a well-rounded stalwart on the blue line for the Medicine Hat Tigers over the past two seasons, appearing in 105 career regular season games and logging 47 points (10G-37A) along with another 33 playoff games. The native of Hamina, Finland, was a key component of the Tigers squad that laid claim to the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2025. He represented Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championship in back-to-back seasons (2025, 2026) appearing in 14 games and earning a silver medal in 2025. The Mammoth selected Vaisanen in the third round (96th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. Prior to coming to North America, he spent the 2023-24 season with KooKoo of the Finnish Hockey League, getting into 50 games. Reko Alanko Selected by the Mammoth in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, 6-foot-6, 216-pound Reko Alanko is set to bring his towering presence to the blue line of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds for the 2026-27 season. Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Alanko was selected by the Thunderbirds in the second round (94th overall) of the 2026 CHL Import Draft. He signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Seattle on July 13, 2026. Alanko spent the previous two seasons with the legendary Finnish program Jokerit, including playing 14 games with the pro squad in 2025-26.

OVO celebrates CHL legends with exclusive OVO x CHL 50 jackets

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:03:24 +0000

Members of the CHL’s Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years are receiving personalized commemorative jackets recognizing their place among five decades of major junior hockey’s greatest players

A special group of players who helped define the first 50 years of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) are receiving a one-of-a-kind keepsake to commemorate their place in CHL history. As part of the CHL’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, members of the Top 50 CHL Players of the Last 50 Years are being recognized with an exclusive, custom OVO x CHL 50 jacket, created to celebrate their remarkable careers and enduring impact on the game. The jackets serve as a fitting final chapter in the CHL’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, which unfolded throughout the 2025-26 season. As one of the anniversary campaign’s marquee initiatives, the Top 50 list celebrated the greatest players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) since 1975-76 — recognizing stars whose foundations were built in major junior hockey before they went on to shape the sport at its highest levels. The Top 50 were selected through a media vote, with the final ranking determined using a weighted combination of media and fan voting. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2061225004063437211?s=20 Several members of the list received their jackets in person during some of the CHL’s biggest events this past spring. During championship weekend at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., Eric Lindros (No. 7), Denis Savard (No. 29) and Shea Weber (No. 36) were presented with their exclusive jackets. Weber’s recognition carried an added connection to the host city, where the Sicamous, B.C., native developed into a star with the Kelowna Rockets. Over three seasons, Weber helped the Rockets win two WHL championships and the 2004 Memorial Cup before going on to a Hockey Hall of Fame career. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2062265461350473738?s=20 Connor Bedard (No. 30), the youngest player named to the CHL’s Top 50 list, also received his jacket in Kelowna during the Memorial Cup semifinal. The former Regina Pats captain became the WHL’s first exceptional-status player and finished his junior career with 271 points in just 134 regular-season games. His historic 2022-23 campaign included a CHL-best 143 points before he became the first player to win CHL Top Draft Prospect, CHL Top Scorer and CHL David Branch Player of the Year honours in the same season. A few weeks later, Brendan Shanahan (No. 34) received his OVO x CHL 50 coat during the 2026 CHL Awards. Before a Hockey Hall of Fame career that included three Stanley Cup championships, Shanahan recorded 154 points in 115 games with the London Knights and later had his No. 19 retired by the OHL club. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2066652849623150668?s=20

Another of the list’s most celebrated names received his jacket this summer, when Wayne Gretzky (No. 3) was presented with his while attending the Gretzky Hockey School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

The highest-ranked OHL alumnus on the Top 50, Gretzky recorded 182 points (70G-112A) in 64 games with the Soo Greyhounds in 1977-78 — totals that remain the franchise record for points and OHL rookie records for points and assists — before going on to rewrite the NHL record book as “The Great One.”

https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2079984627222007867?s=20 More recently, the celebration has continued with three QMJHL legends — Marc-André Fleury, Pat LaFontaine and Patrick Roy — each receiving their personalized jackets, representing three of the most accomplished alumni in league history. Ranked No. 25, Fleury established himself as one of the QMJHL’s premier goaltenders during four seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He led the league with a .915 save percentage in 2001-02 and, the following season, earned QMJHL Defensive Player of the Year and Top Prospect honours. Fleury finished his junior career with 151 appearances before becoming the only CHL goaltender ever selected first overall in the NHL Draft. He went on to win three Stanley Cups and a Vezina Trophy while finishing his NHL career second all-time among goaltenders in both wins (575) and games played (1,051). Fleury is also set to join LaFontaine and Roy in the QMJHL Hall of Fame on September 16 as a member of its 2026 induction class. For LaFontaine, ranked No. 20, his lone QMJHL season with the Verdun Juniors remains one of the most extraordinary rookie campaigns in CHL history. In 1982-83, the 17-year-old amassed 234 points, including a CHL rookie-record 104 goals, while earning the league’s scoring title and MVP honours along with CHL Player of the Year. He then helped Verdun capture the 1983 QMJHL championship before beginning a Hockey Hall of Fame NHL career in which he recorded 1,013 points. https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/2092585554890080745?s=20 Roy, ranked No. 16 and the highest-ranked goaltender on the CHL’s Top 50 list, developed his trademark durability during three seasons with the Granby Bisons, appearing in 77 per cent of the club’s games and facing an average of 39 shots per contest. He went on to build one of the most decorated careers ever assembled by an NHL goaltender, winning four Stanley Cups, three Vezina Trophies and a record three Conn Smythe Trophies. Roy was inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame in 2004, while the league’s Goaltender of the Year award now bears his name.

Together, the recipients to date showcase the remarkable breadth of the CHL’s Top 50 — from generational stars and record-setting scorers to championship leaders and Hockey Hall of Famers whose journeys began in communities across the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.

The celebration is not quite finished. More members of the CHL’s Top 50 are set to receive their personalized OVO x CHL 50 jackets in the coming weeks as the league brings this final chapter of its 50th Anniversary celebrations to a close.

Each jacket serves as a lasting, commemorative reminder of a player’s place in CHL history — recognizing not only what they accomplished in major junior hockey, but the impact they went on to make across generations of players, teams, communities and fans.

The complete rankings and player biographies for the Top 50 CHL Players of the Last 50 Years are available at chl.ca/chl50.

Curtis Hamilton named General Manager of Kelowna Rockets

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:02:23 +0000

Kelowna, B.C., – The Kelowna Rockets announced today that Curtis Hamilton has been named General Manager, becoming just the second General Manager in franchise history. Bruce Hamilton, who has served as the Rockets' General Manager since the franchise began in Tacoma, Washington, in 1991, will remain President and Governor of the team. Hamilton has won four WHL Championships, one Memorial Cup, and has been named WHL Executive of the Year on two occasions (1992-93 and 2002-03). “Bruce Hamilton is one of the most accomplished hockey executives in WHL history. The WHL extends its congratulations to Bruce on his 35-year tenure as General Manager of the Rockets,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. "Bruce was the architect of four WHL Championship teams, a Memorial Cup champion and twice named WHL Executive of the Year. We’re grateful Bruce will continue serving as President of the Rockets and WHL Chairman of the Board and we look forward to welcoming Curtis in his new role as General Manager.” “My first memory of Bruce was watching him play for the Saskatoon Blades," said Richard Doerksen, VP, Hockey for the Western Hockey League. “I then got to know him personally when he was scouting for Hartford and Washington. We knew it was going to be a great move for the WHL when the Hamilton family purchased an expansion franchise in Tacoma, WA, with Bruce serving as President and General Manager of the Club. After four seasons in Tacoma, Bruce and family moved the franchise to Kelowna, where his ability to build a championship team became very evident.” “It is remarkable to see what Bruce has built in Kelowna over the past three decades," continued Doerksen. “Under Bruce’s leadership, the Rockets have become a model franchise in the Western Hockey League. Four WHL Championships, a Memorial Cup Championship and the continued consistency of winning Kelowna has enjoyed over the years speak to the legacy he leaves behind as General Manager.” “It will certainly be different working with Kelowna without Bruce as General Manager, as that is the role so many League and team personnel have known him in. At the same time, we are very comfortable with Curtis stepping into the position. Curtis has spent the past several years learning the business working alongside Bruce, and we believe he will do a tremendous job with Bruce available to provide experience and guidance.” “Bruce has been a fixture in the Western Hockey League for decades and stands as one of the longest-serving and most accomplished General Managers in league history,” said former WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “His ability to identify and develop players, build championship teams, and establish a consistently successful organization is second to none. I have tremendous respect for Bruce and everything he has contributed to the Rockets and the Western Hockey League.” Curtis Hamilton moves into the role after serving as the Rockets' Assistant General Manager since December 2022. During that time, he has been involved in all areas of hockey operations, including roster construction, player personnel, scouting, transactions, and the WHL Prospects and CHL Import Drafts. “I’m very happy with how Curtis has matured and developed into a sound hockey mind, and I’m confident he will do a great job for the Rockets and our fanbase," said Rockets President & Governor Bruce Hamilton. “I feel this is the right time to bring a younger perspective into the General Manager role. After more than 35 years, and with how today’s athletes and the game continue to evolve, the time is right for me to move into a different role.” “I look forward to continuing as President and Governor of the Rockets, and I’ll always be available for Curtis to bounce ideas off as he grows into this new position. It has been a tremendous honour to serve as General Manager since the club’s inception. I’ve treasured every moment, and I look forward to continuing my involvement with both the Rockets and the Western Hockey League.” Curtis' history with the organization began before his move into management. He served as an Assistant Coach with the Rockets during the 2020-21 WHL hub season before returning to professional hockey. “I’m also very excited for Curtis and the opportunity he has earned to lead the hockey club into its next chapter. He will have an excellent mentor in Bruce, and I look forward to seeing what Curtis and the Rockets accomplish in the years ahead.” “The WHL extends its congratulations to Curtis Hamilton on being promoted to General Manager of the Kelowna Rockets,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “Following an accomplished playing career that included four seasons with the Saskatoon Blades and 10 years of pro hockey, Curtis has come full circle, developing into one of the great young hockey operations leaders in the WHL – a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the sport. We wish him the best as he establishes a new era of Kelowna Rockets hockey.” Following the conclusion of his playing career in 2022, Hamilton returned to Kelowna full-time as Assistant General Manager. Prior to joining the Rockets' front office, he earned his Master's degree in Sports Management from Ulster University in Northern Ireland while playing in the British Elite Ice Hockey League. “I am excited for the opportunity and challenge of the new role. I look forward to working with the staff, players, and community," said newly appointed General Manager Curtis Hamilton. “This organization has always had high expectations and that will only continue moving forward.” A Kelowna product, Hamilton played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades. His junior career was highlighted by an 82-point season in 2010-11, while he also represented Canada at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, the IIHF World Junior Championship and the Spengler Cup, which he won in 2018. Hamilton was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft. He went on to play professionally for 10 seasons across North America and Europe, including one NHL appearance with Edmonton and more than 200 games in the American Hockey League. His professional career also took him to Czechia, Finland, Austria, and the United Kingdom before his retirement following the 2021-22 season.