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All 23 WHL Clubs will compete in a 68-game regular season, beginning Friday, September 18, 2026, and concluding Sunday, March 28, 2027.

For the second consecutive regular season, Victory+ will serve as the exclusive streaming provider for the WHL, giving fans FREEaccess to all 782 WHL regular season games.

The opening night of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season will feature five games, with the Brandon Wheat Kings hosting the Saskatoon Blades, Calgary Hitmen welcoming the Red Deer Rebels, Lethbridge Hurricanes facing the Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince Albert Raiders taking on the Regina Pats, and Prince George Cougars rolling out the welcome mats for the Penticton Vees.

The defending WHL Champion Everett Silvertips open their title defense Saturday, September 19, when the Portland Winterhawks visit Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett.

The 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge will be hosted by the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League in Chicoutimi and Quebec City, Que., on December 1 and 2, 2026.

The 2027 WHL Prospects Game, set to be hosted in Brandon, Man., by the Brandon Wheat Kings, is scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, 2027.

A total of 628 games on the WHL Regular Season schedule – over 80 per cent – will be played on weekends or holidays. By focusing the schedule on weekends and holidays, along with extending the WHL Regular Season calendar by one week, WHL Clubs can further enhance the WHL player experience by allowing additional time for training and skill development, as well as academic enrichment.

The 782-game WHL Regular Season schedule concludes Sunday, March 28, 2027, with two games in the Central Division as the Edmonton Oil Kings welcome the Red Deer Rebels and the Medicine Hat Tigers host the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The 2027 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will begin Wednesday, March 31, 2027, culminating with the 2027 WHL Championship Series from Friday, May 7, through Monday, May 17, 2027.

The 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will be hosted in Guelph, Ont., by the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm from Friday, May 21, through Sunday, May 30, 2027.

CLICK HERE to view the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season schedule in its entirety. Games, dates, locations, and times are all subject to change.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

SUCCESSES, 2025-26

WHL continues to thrive in its local communities

More than 3.2 million fans attended regular season WHL games this year, representing a 4% increase from 2024-25. The WHL averaged 4,144 attendees per game in the regular season, representing the highest average attendance of any Junior League in the world.

WHL enjoys strong showing at 2026 NHL Draft

With four WHL players being selected in the top 10, the WHL led the way early in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Of the first 100 players selected, 23 hailed from the WHL. The next highest total from any development league was the Ontario Hockey League with 16.

Overall, the WHL saw 37 current players and two alumni selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, with the mark of 39 serving as the WHL’s best total in over 15 seasons, since 43 players were selected in the 2010 NHL Draft.

WHL on Victory+ sets records in 2025-26

The first regular season of the WHL on Victory+ was a resounding success, with average regular season viewership increasing by over 50 per cent year over year.

The 2026 WHL Playoffs on Victory+ saw a 63-per-cent jump in average viewership, with WHL Playoff action generating audiences rivalling that of historical linear cable broadcasts.

WHL on Victory+ is set to return FOR FREE once again in 2026-27.

Kelowna Rockets host sold out Memorial Cup presented by Kubota

The 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota was a smashing success in Kelowna, B.C., with every game of the tournament sold out at Prospera Place.

Hosted in conjunction with the CHL’s 50th Anniversary Season, the sport of hockey congregated in the beautiful Okanagan and enjoyed fantastic weather and competitive hockey featuring the WHL Champion Everett Silvertips, OHL Champion Kitchener Rangers, QMJHL Champion Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and host Kelowna Rockets.

Everett Silvertips win franchise-first WHL Championship

In May, the Everett Silvertips capped a historic season by hoisting the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Eastern Conference champion Prince Albert Raiders in five games.

Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen was named WHL Playoff MVP, finishing tied for the lead in playoff scoring with 27 points.

WHL stars secure Canadian Hockey League Awards in June

Four representatives from the WHL came home with hardware from the 2026 CHL Awards in Toronto earlier this month.

Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman and Montreal Canadiens prospect Bryce Pickford was named CHL Defenceman of the Year, while Everett Silvertips Head Coach Steve Hamilton was presented with the CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award. Medicine Hat Tigers forward Markus Ruck was crowned CHL Top Scorer, while Portland Winterhawks forward Alex Weiermair was named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year.

2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass

The brand-new WHL Prospects Game made its debut in Langley, B.C., with 40 NHL Draft-eligible prospects putting on an entertaining showcase in front of hundreds of NHL scouts and a near sold-out crowd at the Langley Events Centre, home of the Vancouver Giants, while tens of thousands more watched free on Victory+.

Team East defeated Team West in overtime, thanks to Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph, who scored the game-winning goal. The product of Lacombe, Alta., went on to be the first defenceman selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, when he was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres with the fourth-overall pick.

WHL Scholarship

The 2025-26 campaign served as the 33rd year of the WHL Scholarship program. This season, 370 WHL graduate players have been awarded WHL Scholarships, representing an investment of over $40 million by WHL Clubs. This season, WHL Clubs have contributed nearly $3 million to the 370 WHL graduates utilizing the WHL Scholarship.

Administered by the WHL Office, WHL Scholarships are solely funded by WHL member Clubs. Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season played in the WHL, players receive a guaranteed, full year of WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks, and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a full guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify.

NEW FOR 2026-27

One week extension of WHL Regular Season Schedule

Beginning with the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season, the WHL regular season schedule will extend by one week. The decompressed schedule will create additional rest and recovery for players, opportunity for additional strength and conditioning, and support the athletes’ educational priorities.

The 2026-27 WHL Regular Season begins Friday, September 18, and will end one week later than has been historically scheduled. The final day of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season will be contested Sunday, March 28, 2027.

The 2027 WHL Playoffs are scheduled to begin Wednesday, March 31. The WHL tiebreaker game will no longer be used to break a tie for the eighth seed in a conference.

The decision to decompress the WHL schedule was approved by the WHL Board of Governors and WHL General Managers in association with a variety of initiatives to continue to augment the WHL Player Experience, to enhance player development, and to adapt to the changing hockey landscape.

Air Travel for Select Road Games

Beginning with the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season, WHL Clubs will be permitted to travel via air for one (1) set of road games to start and return home, under the following parameters:

• Trip by bus must be greater than 10 hours;
• Applies to out-of-conference travel only

The decision to allow WHL Clubs to fly for one (1) set of road games was approved by the WHL Board of Governors in association with a variety of initiatives to continue to augment the WHL Player Experience, to enhance player development, and to adapt to the changing hockey landscape.

‘No Return’ Three-on-Three Overtime Pilot

The 2026 WHL Preseason will feature a pilot project aimed at enhancing the fan experience of three-on-three overtime.

Under the ‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime format, once a team has gained the blueline, a player cannot deliberately carry, pass, or shoot the puck outside the blueline. Should this occur, play will immediately be whistled down (unless the opposing team collects the puck first) and the resulting face-off will occur in the defensive zone of the offending team with no line change permitted. The team benefitting from the offensive zone faceoff will have the opportunity to select which circle the faceoff occurs in.

‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime has been contemplated in early anticipation of changing coaching strategies during three-on-three overtimes that are highly conservative and may potentially reduce the excitement of the extra period. Key measures for this pilot will include the number of shot attempts and scoring chances in overtime and the percentage of game outcomes determined by overtime prior to a shootout.

All 2026 WHL Preseason games, regardless of final score, will feature ‘No Return’ three-on-three overtime to allow all Clubs the opportunity to pilot the rule.

Following the 2026 WHL Preseason, WHL General Managers will vote on the implementation of ‘No Return’ Three-on-Three Overtime for the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season.

First Round of WHL Playoffs – Best-of-Five Series

Beginning in 2027, the first round of the WHL Playoffs will be contested as best-of-five series.

To accommodate the extra week in the regular season, this change will allow the playoffs to be completed on its existing schedule for the WHL Champion to participate in the Memorial Cup.

The WHL Playoffs will begin Wednesday, March 31, 2027, and the first-round format will vary based on the geography of the competing teams, availability of facilities, and preferences of the higher-seeded Club. The following formats are currently approved, pending WHL approval of each instance:

• 1-2-1-1 (A-H-A-H)
• 2-3 (A-H) for longer distance series
• 2-2-1 (H-A-H)
• 1-1-1-1-1 (H-A-H-A-H) for close distance series only

H = Home A = Away

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE !

Buffalo, N.Y. – The Western Hockey League announced today 37 players and two alumni have been selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, held Friday and Saturday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

The 106 Canadian Hockey League players selected in the 2026 NHL Draft is the highest total since 2010. Of the 224 players selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, 106 came from the CHL, representing 47.3 per cent of all players chosen. Of the 106 players selected from the CHL, 36.8 per cent hail from the WHL.

Since the 1967 NHL Amateur draft 2,268 players have been selected out of the WHL, including 360 first-round selections.

PLAYER ASSETS – ACTION PHOTOS & HIGHLIGHTS PHOTOS – 2026 NHL Draft (Credit to Natalie Shaver / CHL) MEDIA AVAILS

For the second time in three drafts, the WHL boasts four players selected in the top 10 of the NHL Draft. This also serves as the second consecutive NHL Draft in which the WHL has led or tied for the most first-round players selected among any development league. The 2025 NHL Draft featured nine WHL players chosen in the first round.

With 22 players selected through the first three rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft, the WHL led all development leagues.

Former WHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers) was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph going to the Buffalo Sabres with the fourth pick. Prince George Cougars blueliner Carson Carels was called by the Calgary Flames with the sixth-overall selection and former Victoria Royals rearguard Keaton Verhoeff rounded out the group after being chosen ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks.

The first round concluded with a run of WHL players, including Ryan Lin going 21st overall to the San Jose Sharks, Liam Ruck selected 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and JP Hurlbert hearing his name called 23rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings.

The second round of the 2026 NHL Draft featured eight WHL players, including Chase Harrington (Spokane Chiefs), Matias Vanhanen (Everett Silvertips), Markus Ruck (Pittsburgh Penguins), Mathis Preston (Anaheim Ducks), Brek Liske (Philadelphia Flyers), Timofei Runtso (Montreal Canadiens), Jakub Vanecek (Dallas Stars), and Benjamin MacBeath (New York Rangers).

The Medicine Hat Tigers led all WHL Clubs with five players selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, including McKenna, the Ruck twins, Yaroslav Bryzgalov (Vancouver Canucks), and Jonas Woo (Columbus Blue Jackets).

The Edmonton Oil Kings, Portland Winterhawks, Prince Albert Raiders, Saskatoon Blades, and Vancouver Giants each finished with three players selected. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Everett Silvertips, Prince George Cougars, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, and Victoria Royals each had two players selected.

In total, 19 of 23 WHL teams had at least one player chosen in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The 2026 NHL Draft serves as the 18th time in the past 20 years the WHL has seen five or more players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.

2026 NHL Draft – WHL Developed Players

Overall – Player (Pos.) – NHL Team; WHL Team; Hometown

Round One (7)

#1 – Gavin McKenna (F) – Toronto Maple Leafs; Medicine Hat Tigers*; Whitehorse, Yukon #4 – Daxon Rudolph (D) – Buffalo Sabres; Prince Albert Raiders; Lacombe, Alta. #6 – Carson Carels (D) – Calgary Flames; Prince George Cougars; Cypress River, Man. #9 – Keaton Verhoeff (D) – San Jose Sharks; Victoria Royals*; Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. #21 – Ryan Lin (D) – San Jose Sharks; Vancouver Giants; Richmond, B.C. #22 – Liam Ruck (F) – Pittsburgh Penguins; Medicine Hat Tigers; Osoyoos, B.C. #23 – JP Hurlbert (F) – Detroit Red Wings; Kamloops Blazers; Allen, Texas

Round Two (8)

#36 – Chase Harrington (F) – Calgary Flames; Spokane Chiefs; Prince George, B.C. #37 – Matias Vanhanen (F) – New Jersey Devils; Everett Silvertips; Nokia, Finland #39 – Markus Ruck (F) – Pittsburgh Penguins; Medicine Hat Tigers; Osoyoos, B.C. #50 – Mathis Preston (F) – Anaheim Ducks; Vancouver Giants; Penticton, B.C. #53 – Brek Liske (D) – Philadelphia Flyers; Everett Silvertips; Beausejour, Man. #57 – Timofei Runtso (D) – Montreal Canadiens; Victoria Royals; Marina del Rey, Calif. #59 – Jakub Vanecek (D) – Dallas Stars; Tri-City Americans; Humpolec, Czechia #64 – Benjamin MacBeath (D) – New York Rangers; Calgary Hitmen; Calgary, Alta.

Round Three (7)

#65 – Joe Iginla (F) – Calgary Flames; Vancouver Giants; Lake Country, B.C. #68 – Zachary Lansard (F) – Carolina Hurricanes; Regina Pats; Ste. Anne, Man. #69 – Ethan MacKenzie (D) – Toronto Maple Leafs; Edmonton Oil Kings; Peachland, B.C. #73 – Zach Olsen (F) – Toronto Maple Leafs; Saskatoon Blades; Calgary, Alta. #74 – Beckett Hamilton (F) – Colorado Avalanche; Red Deer Rebels; Saskatoon, Sask. #79 – Michal Orsulak (G) – Detroit Red Wings; Prince Albert Raiders; Tremosna, Czechia #95 – Sean Burick (D) – Vegas Golden Knights; Penticton Vees; San Clemente, Calif.

Round Four (7)

#97 – Yaroslav Bryzgalov (F) – Vancouver Canucks; Medicine Hat Tigers; Minsk, Belarus #101 – Tyus Sparks (F) – Washington Capitals; Spokane Chiefs; Meridian, Idaho #112 – Kayden Lemire (F) – Minnesota Wild; Prince George Cougars; Edmonton, Alta. #113 – Jonah Sivertson (F) – Vegas Golden Knights; Prince Albert Raiders; Regina, Sask. #117 – Brayden Klimpke (D) – Montreal Canadiens; Saskatoon Blades; Calgary, Alta. #120 – Marek Sklenicka (G) – Philadelphia Flyers; Seattle Thunderbirds; Litvinov, Czechia #126 – Tobias Tvrznik (G) – Colorado Avalanche; Wenatchee Wild; Litomerice, Czechia

Round Five (5)

#137 – Filip Ruzicka (G) – Minnesota Wild; Brandon Wheat Kings; Trinec, Czechia #142 – Parker Snell (G) – Columbus Blue Jackets; Edmonton Oil Kings; St. Albert, Alta. #153 – Giorgos Pantelas (D) – Los Angeles Kings; Brandon Wheat Kings; Victoria, B.C. #158 – Cooper Williams (F) – Toronto Maple Leafs; Saskatoon Blades; Calgary, Alta. #159 – Will McLaughlin (D) – Vegas Golden Knights; Portland Winterhawks; Canmore, Alta.

Round Six (4)

#172 – Luke Wilfley (F) – New Jersey Devils; Portland Winterhawks; Englewood, Colo. #174 – Jake Gustafson (F) – San Jose Sharks; Portland Winterhawks; San Jose, Calif. #185 – Jonas Woo (D) – Columbus Blue Jackets; Medicine Hat Tigers; Winnipeg, Man. #192 – Noah Kosick (F) – Anaheim Ducks; Seattle Thunderbirds; Victoria, B.C.

Round Seven (1)

#199 – Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu (D) – Winnipeg Jets; Edmonton Oil Kings; San Diego, Calif.

* = last played in WHL during 2024-25 season

2026 NHL Draft – Players Committed to the WHL for 2026-27

Round Four

#98 – Jonas Kemps (D) – Florida Panthers; Seattle Thunderbirds; Sebastopol, Calif.

Round Five

#136 – Kent Sauer (F) – Philadelphia Flyers; Edmonton Oil Kings; Andover, Minn.

Round Six

#164 – Bode Laylin (D) – Calgary Flames; Everett Silvertips; St. Michael, Minn.

Round Seven

#208 – Logan Stuart (F) – Washington Capitals; Lethbridge Hurricanes; Manhattan Beach, Calif. #224 – Tyler Deakos (F) – Montreal Canadiens; Penticton Vees; Canmore, Alta.

Don’t miss your opportunity to own a piece of WHL history from the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Fans can bid on event-worn memorabilia bundles featuring 2026 NHL Draft stars. Visit DASH Auctions for complete details.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

Buffalo, N.Y. – The Western Hockey League announced today seven players developed in the WHL have been selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, held Friday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

For the second time in three drafts, the WHL boasts four players selected in the top 10 of the NHL Draft. This also serves as the second consecutive NHL Draft in which the WHL has led or tied for the most first-round players selected among any development league. The 2025 NHL Draft featured nine WHL players chosen in the first round.

Former WHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers) was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph going to the Buffalo Sabres with the fourth pick. Prince George Cougars blueliner Carson Carels was called by the Calgary Flames with the sixth-overall selection and former Victoria Royals rearguard Keaton Verhoeff rounded out the group after being chosen ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks.

PLAYER ASSETS – ACTION PHOTOS & HIGHLIGHTS PHOTOS – 2026 NHL Draft (Credit to Natalie Shaver / CHL) MEDIA AVAILS

2026 NHL Draft – WHL Developed Players

Overall – Player (Pos.) – NHL Team; WHL Team; Hometown

#1 – Gavin McKenna (F) – Toronto Maple Leafs; Medicine Hat Tigers*; Whitehorse, Yukon #4 – Daxon Rudolph (D) – Buffalo Sabres; Prince Albert Raiders; Lacombe, Alta. #6 – Carson Carels (D) – Calgary Flames; Prince George Cougars; Cypress River, Man. #9 – Keaton Verhoeff (D) – San Jose Sharks; Victoria Royals*; Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. #21 – Ryan Lin (D) – San Jose Sharks; Vancouver Giants; Richmond, B.C. #22 – Liam Ruck (F) – Pittsburgh Penguins; Medicine Hat Tigers; Osoyoos, B.C. #23 – JP Hurlbert (F) – Detroit Red Wings; Kamloops Blazers; Allen, Texas

* = last played in WHL during 2024-25 season

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound McKenna, who helped the Medicine Hat Tigers win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2025, became the first player developed by the Club to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft. He also goes into the history books as the 10th player developed in the WHL to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft.

McKenna represents the second WHL player chosen first overall by the Maple Leafs, following Wendel Clark of the Saskatoon Blades, who was the top choice in the 1985 NHL Draft.

Rudolph was the first defenceman taken off the board when the Buffalo Sabres called him fourth overall. The 6-foot-2, 206-pound rearguard helped the Raiders advance to the 2026 WHL Championship after posting 78 points (28G-50A) in 68 games. A finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Defenceman of the Year, Rudolph also captained Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game in Langley. This marks the second consecutive draft in which the Sabres have chosen a WHL defencemen in the first round, after Seattle Thunderbirds rearguard Radim Mrtka went ninth overall in 2025.

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Carels followed shortly after – the second defenceman selected in the draft – going sixth overall to the Flames. Another finalist for the WHL’s Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, Carels enjoyed a career season, collecting 73 points (20G-53A) in 58 games with the Cougars. The product of Cypress River, Man., led Team West as captain at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game in Langley. This represents the third consecutive draft in which the Flames have used a first-round pick on a WHL player after the selection of Cole Reschny of the Victoria Royals in 2025.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Verhoeff served as the third WHL-developed defenceman off the board, when he was selected ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks. The former Victoria Royals phenom lands in San Jose after putting up 21 goals in 63 games on Vancouver Island during the 2024-25 WHL season.

Lin was the fourth defenceman having come through the WHL to hear his name called, going 21st overall to the San Jose Sharks. The 5-foot-11, 177-pound blueliner represented Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, coming off the 2024-25 season in which he was named a finalist for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Rookie of the Year. That season, the hometown product set a Vancouver Giants record for points by a rookie defenceman when he registered 53 (5G-48A) in 60 games – making him one of only two WHL rookie blueliners to surpass the 50-point plateau.

Ruck was the second Tiger taken in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, joining McKenna. The sharp-shooting winger was selected 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins on the heels of securing an impressive 104 points (45G-59A) in 68 games., which was good enough for second in the entire Canadian Hockey League – trailing only his twin brother Markus (108 points). Ruck was named a finalist for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Player of the Year. He helped the Tigers claim the 2025 WHL Championship. This marks the second consecutive draft in which the Penguins have used a first-round pick on a player from the WHL, following the selection of Ben Kindel with the 11th overall pick in 2025.

Rounding out the WHL contingent in the first round was Hurlbert, who went 23rd overall to the Red Wings. Detroit moved on from former Edmonton Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa, trading the up-and-coming netminder to the Utah Mammoth in order to acquire the pick used to select Hurlbert. The 6-foot, 182-pound product of Allen, Texas, enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Kamloops Blazers, rattling off 97 points (42G-55A) in 68 games to take home the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, which is presented annually to the WHL Rookie of the Year. This marks the third time in four NHL Drafts the Red Wings have used a first-round pick on a WHL player, following the selection of Carter Bear in 2025 and Nate Danielson in 2023.

The 2026 NHL Draft serves as the 18th time in the past 20 years the WHL has seen five or more players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft. With seven players selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, the WHL’s all-time number of first-round picks sits at 360 since the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft.

In total, 16 players from the CHL were selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft – including seven from the WHL, seven from the Ontario Hockey League, and two from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

The 2026 NHL Draft resumes Saturday morning at 9 a.m. MT / 11 a.m. ET. For more information on WHL players at the 2026 NHL Draft, please visit WHL.ca.

Don’t miss your opportunity to own a piece of WHL history from the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. Fans can bid on event-worn memorabilia bundles featuring 2026 NHL Draft stars. Visit DASH Auctions for complete details.

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.

McKenna, who helped the Medicine Hat Tigers win the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2025, became the first player developed by the Club to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft. He also goes into the history books as the 10th player developed in the WHL to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft.

McKenna represents the second WHL player chosen first overall by the Maple Leafs, following Wendel Clark of the Saskatoon Blades, who was the top choice in the 1985 NHL Draft.

McKenna’s time in the WHL was well decorated.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound product of Whitehorse, Yukon, finished his time in the WHL by winning the WHL Championship along with the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year and the CHL’s David Branch Player of the Year Award following a 129-point campaign in 2024-25.

Selected first overall by the Tigers in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, McKenna played 133 WHL regular season games in Medicine Hat, tallying 244 points (79G-165A). He added another 45 points (12G-33A) in 25 WHL Playoff games. From 2022 through 2025, McKenna played a total of 158 games across the WHL regular season and playoffs, collecting 289 points (91G-198A).

During the 2023-24 season, he recorded 63 assists to lead all WHL rookies en route to winning the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, which is presented annually to the WHL Rookie of the Year. McKenna was also awarded CHL Rookie of the Year honours for his impressive effort. That same season, he was named to the WHL’s Central Division First All-Star Team and also earned nods on the CHL Third All-Star Team and CHL All-Rookie Team.

Prior to McKenna, the highest selection in Medicine Hat Tigers franchise history was second overall – Trevor Linden to the Vancouver Canucks in 1988, Barry Dean to the Kansas City Scouts in 1975, and Tom Lysiak to the Atlanta Flames in 1973.

McKenna joins WHL legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald as the second Medicine Hat Tiger to be selected by the Maple Leafs in the top five of the NHL Draft. McDonald went fourth overall to Toronto in the 1973 NHL Draft.

Finally, McKenna becomes the first Medicine Hat Tiger selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs since Dan Turner went 172nd overall in the ninth round of the 1984 NHL Draft.

On 11 occasions, the Maple Leafs have used a top 10 pick to select a player from the WHL:

• 2026, first overall – Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat Tigers
• 2012, fifth overall – Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw Warriors
• 2008, fifth overall – Luke Schenn, Kelowna Rockets
• 1985, first overall – Wendel Clark, Saskatoon Blades
• 1983, seventh overall – Russ Courtnall, Victoria Cougars
• 1982, third overall – Gary Nylund, Portland Winter Hawks
• 1981, sixth overall – Jim Benning, Portland Winter Hawks
• 1979, ninth overall – Laurie Boschman, Brandon Wheat Kings
• 1975, sixth overall – Don Ashby, Calgary Centennials
• 1973, fourth overall – Lanny McDonald, Medicine Hat Tigers
• 1969, ninth overall – Ernie Moser, Estevan Bruins

Internationally, McKenna has won a gold medal with Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. On two occasions, he has competed at the IIHF World Junior Championship, helping Canada to a bronze medal in 2026.

Following his time in the WHL, McKenna played the 2025-26 season with Penn State University.

History of WHL Developed Players Selected First Overall in NHL Draft

• 2026 – Gavin McKenna, Toronto Maple Leafs (Medicine Hat Tigers)
• 2023 – Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks (Regina Pats)
• 2011 – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers (Red Deer Rebels)
• 1996 – Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators (Prince Albert Raiders)
• 1988 – Mike Modano, Minnesota North Stars (Prince Albert Raiders)
• 1985 – Wendel Clark, Toronto Maple Leafs (Saskatoon Blades)
• 1982 – Gord Kluzak, Boston Bruins (Billings Bighorns)
• 1980 – Doug Wickenheiser, Montreal Canadiens (Regina Pats)
• 1975 – Mel Bridgman, Philadelphia Flyers (Victoria Cougars)
• 1974 – Greg Joly, Washington Capitals (Regina Pats)

About the Western Hockey League

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.