Western Hockey League - Feed

Oliver Vanha inks WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Hurricanes

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 02:48:47 +0000

Lethbridge, Alta., - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have announced they have signed 2009-born Czechia forward Oliver Vanha to a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement. Vanha, 17, was selected by the Hurricanes in the third-round (125^th overall) in the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in June. The Praha, Czechia, product spent the 2025-2026 season with the HC Dynamo Pardubice U17 team collecting 57 points (25g-32a) along with 81 penalty minutes in a plus-39 rating in 32 regular season games. He finished fourth in team scoring while also ending the season fourth in goals. Vanha also ranked 11^th in league scoring while ending the campaign 15^th in league goals. “Oliver is a big, strong, powerful player with a high-end skill set and an exceptional compete level,” said Hurricanes General Manager Barclay Parneta. “He has the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways, and we believe his combination of size, talent, and work ethic gives him a very bright future. We’re excited to welcome him to the Lethbridge Hurricanes.” The 6’4, 203-pound forward added 14 points (6g-8a) along with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating in 11 post-season games with HC Pardubice U17 last year. Vanha finished tied for fourth in league playoff scoring. He also skated in 14 regular season games with the HC Dynamo Pardubice U20 club last year collecting two assists and two penalty minutes. Internationally, Vanha is currently representing Czechia at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament in Edmonton. So far, he has one goal in two preliminary games for his nation. He also skated in 15 international games at the Czechia U16 level during the 2024-2025 season totaling five points (3g-2a) along with six penalty minutes. Vanha joins fellow Czechia products Dominick Byrtus and Oliver Sichtar to sign with the Hurricanes for the upcoming 2026-2027 regular season. Season Tickets for the 2026-2027 season, which will mark the Hurricanes 40^th Anniversary season in Lethbridge, are now on sale. Premium Season Tickets are also available for an additional $250 per seat. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

Oil Kings’ Stroeder scores twice on home ice, Canada flattens Slovakia 6-1 at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 01:46:44 +0000

Edmonton, Alta.- Five Western Hockey League skaters, including Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kayden Stroeder, enjoyed a multi-point night as Canada rolled Slovakia 6-1 to improve to 2-0-0-0 at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. 2026 WHL Champion and Defenceman of the Year finalist Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.) was named Canada's Player of the Game with a one-goal, one-assist effort. The opening frame proved to be a much closer affair than Canada's tournament-opener, which saw the Canucks and Switzerland combine for six goals in the first nine minutes. Still, Canada struck first blood as projected top 2027 NHL Draft pick DuPont received a clean pass from Saint John Sea Dogs star Alexis Joseph and beat the Slovakian netminder on a powerplay wraparound. 2025 WHL first-overall pick Maddox Schultz (Regina Pats / Regina, Sask.) picked up a secondary assist on the play. Slovakia briefly tied the game with a point-blank goal from Patrik Rychlik, but Canada restored its lead 19 seconds later as the other Pats sniper, Liam Pue (Langley, B.C.), burst up the wing and lasered a pass to Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion / OHL) for a quick deke on Nicko Zakk Havel. Boston Tait (Wenatchee Wild / Estevan, Sask.) earned the second helper. Havel stood on his head with a 16-save second period, but Oil Kings forward Stroeder (Saskatoon, Sask.) extended Canada's lead to 3-1 with a quick snapper on a powerplay rush. In the final period, the floodgates opened as Canada potted two goals within four minutes. The Brocks linked up as Rookie of the Year finalist Brock Cripps (Prince Albert Raiders / Victoria, B.C.) and Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds / Red Deer, Alta.) combined for a strong chance before Ryerson Edgar (Niagara Wolves / OHL) cleaned up a rebound in the slot. Less than two minutes later, DuPont curled behind the Slovakia net to tee up Stroeder for a sharp one-timer in the slot and a 5-1 lead. Canada's youngest players, Pue and Schultz, linked up again as Pue polished off an around-the-net passing play for his second point of the night and third goal of the tournament to close out the scoring. Lethbridge Hurricanes puckstopper Leif Oaten (Calgary, Alta.) made 12 stops for a .923 save percentage in his tournament debut. Canada (2-0-0-0) will battle Sweden (0-1-1-0) in a high-stakes match at Rogers Place on Wednesday, August 4, at 5:00 p.m. MT. A Canadian victory would eliminate the Swedes from medal contention. NOTES 2026 CHL Import Draft pick Petr Hornig (Kelowna Rockets) dazzled with two goals and an assist for Czechia in an 8-3 win over Germany... Incoming Lethbridge Hurricanes blueliner Dominick Radim Byrtus assisted both of Hornig's tallies, while Edmonton Oil Kings' first-round import pick Lukas Kachlir racked up three assists... Another Oil King, Jonas Vanicek, scored his first goal of the tournament- and first in his new home rink...Canes pick Oliver Vanha scored to chase the German netminder, and Everett Silvertips signee Dario Blengino nabbed an assist...Spokane Chiefs signee Jacob Schwarz scored for Germany in the loss... Portland Winterhawks forward Alessandro Domenichelli logged a goal and an assist as Switzerland stunned Sweden 7-6.

Moose Jaw Warriors promote Scott King to head coach

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:22:24 +0000

Moose Jaw, Sask., – Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Jason Ripplinger has announced that Associate Coach Scott King has been promoted as the organization's new Head Coach. “Scott has been with our organization for a decade, and knows what our goals are on and off the ice. This is an opportunity that he has been working to achieve for a while, and is the right fit for our team moving forward,” said General Manager Jason Ripplinger. “From an organization standpoint, being able to hire from within is a goal of ours. Scott is familiar with how we operate on a day-to-day basis, and understands the development process for our players to reach the next level,” Ripplinger added. From Saskatoon, King originally joined the Warriors in 2015 – 2016 as a skills coach; the following year he was named an assistant coach, and in 2023 – 2024, he took on an expanded role as an Associate Coach. “I am incredibly excited and honoured for this head coaching opportunity. I want to thank the Warriors Board of Directors and Jason (Ripplinger) for their belief and trust in me and my skills,” Scott King said. “My family and I are rooted in Moose Jaw now, and we have seen firsthand how the Board and the entire community are full of good people that care about the team and its success.” “Junior hockey is a special time in a player's life, and we want to ensure that we are doing everything we can as an organization and a staff to support, develop, and create a positive, competitive, and supportive environment where every player has the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential on and off the ice,” King added. “Knowing the majority of the roster, I look forward to continuing to build relationships with the current group as well as the new players and staff who will join us. Creating a team that commits, communicates, and holds each other to a high standard.” King played in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets in 1996 – 1997, and had 40 goals and 97 points in 68 games. He went on to play 18 seasons of professional hockey in the AHL, ECHL, and in Germany in the DEL, which is the highest division in German Ice Hockey. He played for Canada on four occasions in the Deutschland Cup and was with Adler Mannheim at the 2009 – 2010 Spengler Cup. After 13 years in Moose Jaw, Mark O’Leary is departing the Friendly City after accepting an assistant coach position with the Abbotsford Canucks in the American Hockey League. “The Warriors want to thank Mark for his years of dedication to our organization and our community. His passion for this club was on display every day,” Ripplinger said. “Mark has worked hard throughout the years, and it’s that work ethic that has earned him this opportunity at the next level. We could not be happier for him and his family.” From Owen Sound, Ontario, O’Leary joined the Warriors in 2012 as an assistant coach and was promoted to associate coach for the 2018 – 2019 season. He took over as head coach on January 6, 2020. In six and a half years, he leaves Moose Jaw as the organization’s all-time leader in games coached (416) and wins (191). He was the head coach who led the Warriors to their first WHL Championship in 2024.

NHL Prospect Watch: Los Angeles Kings

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:05:00 +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. These Los Angeles Kings prospects are fit for a crown.

Vojtech Cihar Kelowna Rockets standout Vojtech Cihar conquered new lands in 2025-26. After a difficult start that saw him put up eight points (4G-4A) in 27 games for HC Energie Karlovy Vary, the 19-year-old was re-energized by a breakout run at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. Cihar netted 12 points (4G-8A) in seven games to help Czechia to silver and earn tournament MVP honours. He went from the Czech national team to the Okanagan, where he erupted for 12 goals (including a hat trick) and 19 assists in 31 regular-season games to close out the campaign and lead the Rockets in postseason scoring with 13 points (6G-7A). While the host Rockets bowed out of the Memorial Cup after round-robin play, Cihar could be back to make a major impact in 2026-27. He was selected by the Kings with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft and signed his three-year, entry-level deal last December. Jakub Dvorak Six-foot-5, 210-pound shutdown defenceman Jakub Dvorak took big strides forward in his second season of professional hockey with seven points (4G-3A) and 41 penalty minutes in 45 games for the AHL's Ontario Reign. He set new personal highs on offence, but also raised his plus/minus from -8 in his rookie season to +6 in 2025-26. The 21-year-old logged 10 points (2G-8A) and a +19 rating in 21 games with the Swift Current Broncos in 2023-24 and helped Czechia to a bronze medal at the 2025 World Juniors. He joined the Kings organization as the 54th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Giorgos Pantelas One of the newest members of the Kings' stable of prospects, steady defender Giorgos Pantelas is set to debut for the Penticton Vees in 2026-27. The 2026 fifth-round pick (153rd overall) is coming off a solid season with the Brandon Wheat Kings that saw him finish second in scoring among Brandon blueliners with 37 points (6G-31A) and a +19 rating in his draft year. The 18-year-old suited up for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored a powerplay goal to help Team East to a 5-4 overtime win. Internationally, Pantelas has represented Canada at the 2024 U17 World Challenge, winning gold, and the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he picked up a bronze medal. Will Sharpe Dependable defender Will Sharpe made the most of a midseason trade, putting up a career-best campaign with 29 points (5G-24A) and 44 penalty minutes in 59 games with the Kelowna Rockets and Vancouver Giants. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound blueliner has piled up 84 points (18G-66A) in 185 games over parts of four WHL seasons. Los Angeles called his name with the 216th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Koehn Ziemmer The goals may not have come as easily for former Prince George Cougars alternate captain Koehn Ziemmer, but he had some brilliant moments in his first season in the pros. The 6-foot-1, 201-pound forward registered 24 points (11G-13A) in 57 games to sit 10th on the Reign in scoring, while tallying his first AHL hat trick despite rotating in and out of the Reign lineup. The 2023 third-round (78th overall) NHL pick graduated from the WHL as one of the greatest scorers in Cougars history, posting 260 points (128G-132A) in 244 games over parts of six seasons.

Hurricanes sign Czech forward Oliver Sichtar to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:55:31 +0000

Lethbridge, AB - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have announced the signing of 2008-born import forward Oliver Sichtar to a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement. Sichtar, 18, was selected by the Hurricanes in the second-round (64^th overall) of the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in June. The Brno, Czechia, product spent the 2025-2026 season with the HC Kometa Brno U20 in the Czechia U20 league amassing 23 points (8g-15a) along with 20 penalty minutes in 49 regular season games, finishing sixth in team scoring. He added four points (1g-3a) along with a plus-3 rating in five post-season games. “We are excited to welcome Oliver Sichtar to the Hurricanes organization,” said Hurricanes General Manager Barclay Parneta. “Oliver is a big, skilled forward with excellent hockey sense who competes hard at both ends of the ice. We believe he has a bright future, and we’re looking forward to helping him continue his development in Lethbridge.” The 6’3, 190-pound right-winger collected 24 points (12g-12a) along with four penalty minutes while adding one goal in six playoff games in 2024-2025 with the HC Kometa Brno U17 club. Sichtar spent the 2023-2024 season played in the U16 Division-1 league with IFK Taby HC in Sweden where he totaled nine points (4g-5a) with 27 penalty minutes in 26 regular season games. Internationally, Sichtar represented Czechia at the World Under-19 Championship in May helping his country capture a Bronze medal. He skated in seven games for Czechia during the tournament collecting one goal. Sichtar was teammates with fellow Hurricanes signed import player Dominick Byrtus during the tournament. Additionally, he played in 16 games with the Czechia U18 International team collecting five goals during the 2025-2026 campaign. Sichtar joins Byrtus as the signed Hurricanes European players for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Season Tickets for the 2026-2027 season, which will mark the Hurricanes 40^th Anniversary season in Lethbridge, are now on sale. Premium Season Tickets are also available for an additional $250 per seat. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

Swift Current signs Stepan Farushev to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:54:22 +0000

Swift Current, SK – The Swift Current Broncos are pleased to announce the signing of 2009-born Russian forward Stepan Farushev to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Farushev was selected by the Broncos with the 91st overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.

Standing at 6'6", the Balashikha, Russia product spent the 2025-26 season between Severnaya Zvezda Moskva U17 and MAH Moskva-2 U18. He recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 28 games with Severnaya Zvezda before finishing the campaign with MAH Moskva-2 U18, where he registered 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points in just 14 games.

"I am incredibly happy to sign with the Swift Current Broncos and become a part of this great organization and look forward to the start of the season," said Farushev.

The Swift Current Broncos are excited to welcome Stepan and his family to the organization.

England and Pue score twice, Canada routs Switzerland 7-3 to open 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 01:46:00 +0000

Edmonton, Alta.- 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds / Red Deer, Alta.) and 16-year-old Regina Pats Star Liam Pue (Langley, B.C.) scored twice as Canada routed Switzerland 7-3 to open the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Portland Winterhawks forward Alessandro Domenichelli (Lugano, Sui.) logged a pair of assists in the loss, while the WHL contingent accounted for 10 points. England, a 5-foot-11 forward who logged 21 goals in his rookie season with the T-Birds in 2025-26, was named Canada's Player of the Game. The goals poured in fast and furious as the teams combined for six goals in the first nine minutes of the match. Canada got off to a dream start as 2027 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Boston Tait (Wenatchee Wild / Estevan, Sask.) broke the puck out of the Canadian zone for an extended offensive zone shift. As the squad piled pucks on the Swiss net, England banked a puck off Switzerland's netminder from behind the net to open the scoring 1:18 into the opening frame. Switzerland stormed back with two goals coming 40 seconds apart to take an early lead, with Domenichelli providing the primary assist on his team's opening goal. Upcoming Regina Pats stars Maddox Schultz (Regina, Sask.) and Liam Pue flexed their chemistry by combining for two goals and two assists, despite being the youngest players on the Canadian roster. The duo tied the game as Schultz peeled up the wall and dished a backhand centering pass for Pue for a point-blank shot from the slot, with Tait earning a secondary assist. While the pair wouldn't pick up any assists on Canada's next goal, they helped maintain the pressure before linemate Camryn Warren (North Bay Battalion / OHL) restored the home side's lead. Niagara Wolves star Ryerson Egdar (Niagara Wolves / OHL) lit the lamp 20 seconds later to make it 4-2 for Canada and chase Ayden Huet from the Swiss crease. After Canada Captain and 2025 WHL Champion Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.) hustled down the ice to force an icing and faceoff in Switzerland's end, Pue attacked with a sharp wrister off a Schultz faceoff win for his second goal of the evening. In the middle frame, Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kayden Stroeder (Saskatoon, Sask.) took advantage of the familiar ice by wiring a pass to Benjamin Veitch (Newfound Growlers / QMJHL) for a redirection at the edge of Switzerland's net to make it 6-2. England kept the train rolling with a tremendous shorthanded effort in the final period, gaining the puck off a faceoff in his own end, streaking up the ice, chipping the puck to himself off the wall, mustering a shot on net and burying his own rebound to close out the scoring. Canada (1-0-0-0) is back in action against Slovakia (0-0-0-0) on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MT. NOTES Spokane Chiefs forward Gavin Burcar scored a hat trick for the United States as the defending gold medalists opened with a 6-4 win over Czechia... Incoming Brandon Wheat King Colin Grubb also scored, with Penticton Vees defender Brooks DeMars picking up an assist... Kamloops Blazers goaltender Kaedon Tate made 24 stops for an .857 save percentage in the win... Newly-signed Edmonton Oil Kings forward Lukas Kachlir scored twice for Czechia in the loss.

NHL Prospect Watch: Florida Panthers

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:12:16 +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 Florida Panthers' prospect pool features three recent WHL Champions.

Marek Alscher The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenceman made his NHL debut in April of 2026 and stayed with the Panthers for their last four games of the regular season. The team went 3-1-0 over that stretch, with Alscher averaging more than 20 minutes on the ice while picking up three assists and a +4 rating. The 22-year-old stayed steady in his second season in the professional ranks, notching 11 points (3G-8A) in 52 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers before getting called up to the show. Alscher, from Kladno, Czechia, spent three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, bagging 66 points (22G-44A) over 178 regular-season games, while helping the squad reach the 2024 WHL Championship Series. He was drafted by the Panthers with the 93rd overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Shea Busch A season that could have easily gone off the rails turned into the comeback of a lifetime for North Vancouver, B.C.'s Shea Busch. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound winger was off to a hot start with 13 goals and five assists in the first 12 games of the campaign with the Everett Silvertips, but suffered an upper-body injury that left him sidelined until the first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Busch scored in his return to the ice, went on a six-game point streak, and ended up with 13 points (7G-6A) in 16 games to clinch Everett's first WHL Championship, highlighted by a hat trick in the title match. He added another assist as the Silvertips battled to the Memorial Cup Final and is currently representing Canada at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in hopes of representing Canada in IIHF competition for the first time in his career. Busch, 19, was selected with the 128th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Arvid Drott Stockholm, Sweden's Arvid Drott is gearing up for his first North American season after signing a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Medicine Hat Tigers, who chose him with the 59th pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft. The 6-foot-187-pound winger posted 25 points (15G-19A) in 28 appearances with Djurgardens IF U20 side, in addition to one call-up to Djurgarden's SHL squad. Florida snapped him up with the 192nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Brendan Dunphy Twenty-year-old Brendan Dunphy spent 2025-26 with the University of Connecticut, where he tallied six points (2G-4A) in 37 outings. The 6-foot-5, 207-pound rearguard joined the Wenatchee Wild last season, where he put up 22 points (4G-18A) en route to hearing his name called in the seventh round (197th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. Jonas Kemps Six-foot-6, 196-pound defenceman Jonas Kemps is about to embark on his rookie season with the Seattle Thunderbirds after signing with the club in May. The Sebastopol, California product spent last season with the USHL's Chicago Steel, where he logged nine points (2G-7A) in 57 tilts. He was drafted with the 98th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Gracyn Sawchyn The former Edmonton Oil Kings alternate captain handled plenty of adversity in his first season of professional hockey with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. He rattled off 23 points (6G-17A) in 35 games, but missed a large chunk of time after suffering an upper-body injury in January. He was able to return to close out the season in April and finished sixth on the Checkers in points-per-game. The 6-foot, 154-pound forward spent three seasons in the WHL with the Thunderbirds and Oil Kings, racking up 200 points (67G-133A) in 166 games. Sawchyn captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the T-Birds in 2023 and cracked the WHL East Division Second All-Star Team in 2024-25. Now 21, Sawchyn was picked up with the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Hunter St. Martin The speedy Tigers graduate registered 13 points (5G-8A) in 46 games in his first spin with the Checkers after winning the WHL in 2025. St. Martin, 21, earned his entry-level deal with Florida after being selected 193rd overall in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound winger spent four seasons with the Tabbies, posting 133 points (71G-62A) in 209 games, highlighted by a 39-goal run in 2024-25 that saw the Tigers finish first in the Eastern Conference. The Edmonton, Alta. native recorded 17 points (7G-10A), highlighted by seven points in the Final, to hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup Final.

Dominick Byrtus signs WHL Scholarship and Development with Hurricanes

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:21:37 +0000

Lethbridge, AB - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have announced the signing of 2009-born defenceman Dominick Byrtus to a Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreement. Byrtus, 17, was selected by the Hurricanes in the first-round (3^rd overall) of the 2026 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in June. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, product is a dual citizen of both the United States and Czechia. During the 2025-2026 season, he amassed 12 points (4g-8a) along with 16 penalty minutes in 23 regular season games with HC Ocelari Trinec U20 team before adding seven assists and 11 penalty minutes in 10 post-season games. Byrtus also appeared in 22 regular season games on loan to HC Frydek-Mistek club in the Czechia2 league where he collected two points (1g-1a) along with a minus-1 rating. “We are very excited to welcome Dominick to the Hurricanes. He is a smart, mobile defenseman who moves the puck well, competes hard and plays with confidence,” said Hurricanes General Manager Barclay Parneta. “We believe his game will translate well to the WHL, and we look forward to helping him continue his development in Lethbridge.” The 5’10, 190-pound defenceman is currently representing Czechia at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup alongside fellow ‘Canes Import Draft pick Oliver Vanha. Byrtus has represented Czechia previously at the U17 and U18 levels. He skated in seven games recording three assists at the World Under-18 Championship while also skating in four games being held pointless with the Czechia U17 team at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. During the 2025-2026 season, the left-shot rearguard appeared in 23 games with the Czechia U18 club in international play amassing nine points (4g-5a) along with six penalty minutes while also skating in four international contents with the Czechia U17 team. He helped Czechia earn a Bronze medal at the World U18 Championships. Byrtus is the first of the ‘Canes trio of Czechia-born players from the 2026 CHL Import Draft to sign with the Hurricanes. Season Tickets for the 2026-2027 season, which will mark the Hurricanes 40^th Anniversary season in Lethbridge, are now on sale. Premium Season Tickets are also available for an additional $250 per seat. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

2026 WHL Champion DuPont to captain Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Pats’ Schultz to serve as alternate

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:23:21 +0000

Edmonton, Alta.- Everett Silvertips defenceman and 2026 WHL Champion Landon DuPont will captain Canada as the country eyes a return to the top of the podium at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The projected top 2027 NHL Draft pick had been invited to participate in the World Junior Summer Showcase, but opted to return to the prestigious U18 tournament in hopes of improving on the bronze medal he won in 2025. "It's exciting," DuPont said during Canada's training camp. "We want to be the team that kind of starts the year off on a good note and try to bring gold back to Canada. I think just coming in here, as you know, the only guy that played last year, (I'm) trying to lead the guys as much as I can, but everyone in that room is a leader themselves, so it's been pretty fun. Regina Pats forward Maddox Schultz and Saint John Sea Dogs star Alexis Joseph will serve as alternate captains. DuPont, 17, is the first-ever defenceman granted exceptional status to play in the WHL full-time in his 15-year-old season. The Calgarian's sophomore campaign saw him pick up 73 points (18G-55A) and a +59 rating in 63 games to help the Silvertips capture a second consecutive Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions and earn a nod as a finalist for WHL Defenceman of the Year. He added another 23 (5G-18A) postseason points as the Silvertips hoisted the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time in franchise history. Schultz, 16, utilized the Western Canadian Development Model to suit up for 34 games with the Regina Pats as an underager in 2025-26. The Regina, Sask. native impressed in the small sample size with 29 points (15G-14A) with the WHL club, in addition to a tremendous 60-point (30G-30A) run in 21 games with the U18AAA Regina Pat Canadians.

"He's a super special player," Schultz said of playing alongside DuPont. "Seeing what he did last year in the dub, it's really special... The way he carries himself, the way he treats his teammates is unbelievable. He's someone, you know, I really look up to.

I think if we have everyone bought in and everyone really connected, I think we can do something special here. Right now, we're just building family and building, you know, really close relationships with everybody. The end goal is winning gold." Nine Western Hockey League skaters will represent Canada at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Beyond DuPont and Schultz, the Western contingent features goaltender Leif Oaten (Lethbridge Hurricanes), defenders Boston Tait (Wenatchee Wild) and Brock Cripps (Prince Albert Raiders), as well as forwards Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds), Ben Harvey (Prince Albert Raiders), Kayden Stroeder (Edmonton Oil Kings) and Liam Pue (Regina Pats). Canada kicks off the tournament against Switzerland on Monday, August 3, at 5:00 p.m. MT at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from August 3 to August 8.