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Oil Kings’ Stroeder adds three points on home ice, Pue continues offensive wizardry as Canada stays perfect at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 03:07:59 +0000

Edmonton, Alta.- Sixteen-year-old Liam Pue's Hlinka Gretzky Cup mastery was on full display as Canada trounced Sweden 7-4 in group stage action at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Pue, who played 34 games with the Regina Pats in 2025-26 as an underage player, scored his fourth goal and fifth point of the tournament in a win that guaranteed Canada first place in Group A and eliminated Sweden (0-1-2-0) from medal contention. Fresh off a two-goal performance in his home barn, Kaeden Stroeder (Edmonton Oil Kings / Saskatoon, Sask.) was named Player of the Game with a one-goal, two-assist effort. For a third straight game, Canada opened the scoring in the early goings, this time with 2026 Rookie of the Year finalist Brock Cripps (Prince Albert Raiders / Victoria, B.C.) outwaiting a sprawling Swedish defender to rip a shorthanded goal home from the slot. His defensive partner, Boston Tait (Wenatchee Wild / Estevan, Sask.), picked up the secondary assist. Stroeder bagged his first assist of the night shortly afterward as he teed up Benjamin Veitch (Newfoundland Regiment / QMJHL) for a one-timer near the midway mark of the first period. Two minutes later, Pats stars Pue (Langley, B.C.) and Maddox Schultz (Regina, Sask.) linked up again on a two-on-one break, with Schultz wiring a pass to Pue for a sizzling shortside wrister and a 3-0 lead. Canada capped off the period with two goals just 20 seconds apart. Stroeder had another assist on a Ryerson Edgar (Niagara Wolves / OHL) powerplay tally and lit the lamp himself as he made a dangerous one-timer in tight to the net, collected his own rebound, and whirled around for a low spinning shot. But Sweden wouldn't go quietly into the night. The 2025 silver medalists chipped away at the deficit with a pair of goals in the second period and a final, late marker, with two goals coming on the powerplay. Schultz and Canadian Captain Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.) added some necessary insurance with assists on a late powerplay goal from Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs / QMJHL), but the Swedes responded quickly with a late chip shot. However, the comeback attempt would be halted by Schultz and Pue, this time, with Pue setting up Schultz for an empty-netter. Leif Oaten (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Calgary, Alta.) made 23 saves for a .852 save percentage and a second consecutive victory. Canada (3-0-0-0) is off on Thursday before facing Finland in Semifinal action at 5:00 pm. MT on Friday. NOTES Vancouver Giants prospect Oliver Botka registered an assist for Slovakia in a 6-2 drubbing of Switzerland... Incoming Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Dominick Radim Byrtus assisted on Czechia's opening goal, but Finland would quickly pile up four goals en route to a 5-4 victory... Fellow Hurricanes import draft pick Oliver Vanha and Kelowna Rockets prospect Petr Hornig also earned helpers to confirm a semifinal matchup against the defending champions from the United States.

NHL Prospect Watch: Minnesota Wild

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:09:18 +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 Powerhouse Minnesota Wild's contingent includes a pair of WHL Goaltender of the Year finalists who have already inked their first pro deals.

Caedan Bankier Twenty-three-year-old Caedan Bankier showed he was about more than just points in 2025-26. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound centreman notched 20 points (10G-10A) on an Iowa Wild team that struggled to score, but he did tie for sixth in goals among Wild skaters, while nabbing two game winners and converting three of five shootout attempts. While Iowa just missed out on the AHL playoffs, Bankier did earn a one-year, two-way contract that will take effect in 2026-27. The White Rock, B.C. product logged 188 points (76G-112A) in 202 regular-season tilts over four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers, highlighted by a 37-goal run in 2022-23. The former Blazers alternate captain also earned a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, WHL B.C. Division Second Team All-Star honours and contributed four points (1G-3A) at the 2023 Memorial Cup. He was selected with the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft. Riley Heidt Welcome to the pro ranks! Former Prince George Cougars captain Riley Heidt battled hard in his first AHL season, scoring in his professional debut and tallying eight goals (including three game-openers) and 17 assists for 25 points and 38 penalty minutes in 71 tilts with the Wild. He led all Iowa rookies in scoring and ranked fifth on the squad in shot percentage. Heidt, 20, stands as the Cougars' all-time top scorer since the club moved to Prince George ahead of the 1994-95 season, racking up 370 points (116G-254A) in 281 regular-season games over parts of five seasons. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound forward is the franchise leader in assists and heard his name called 64th overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Justin Kipkie Clocking in at a staggering 6-foot-4, 216-pound, defenceman Justin Kipkie tried his hand at the NCAA level in 2025-26, registering 13 points (4G-9A) in 35 tilts with Arizona State University. The former Royals captain helped elevate Victoria to a B.C. Division title in 2025 and posted 147 points (36G-111A) over 206 games in four seasons. The Calgarian was named a B.C. Division First Team All-Star in 2024 and made the second team the following season, while earning Victoria's captaincy. Originally drafted by Arizona in 2023, Kipkie re-entered the NHL Draft and was snapped up by Minnesota with the 141st overall pick in the fifth round in 2025. The 21-year-old is slated to suit up for the University of St. Thomas for the upcoming season. Carter Klippenstein Six-foot-3, 186-pound centreman Carter Klippenstein was on pace for a career-best season with the Brandon Wheat Kings before a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery in January. The Lethbridge, Alta. product posted 28 points (11G-17) in 38 games, including seven multipoint games, while finishing fourth on the team in faceoff wins with 336 (51.9%). The 19-year-old was drafted by the Wild in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft and owns 77 points (35G-42A) in 164 games and a well-earned hardworking reputation over four seasons in Manitoba. Carson Lambos A milestone season for 23-year-old Carson Lambos saw the defender make his NHL debut and earn a one-year, two-way contract. The Winnipeg, Man. product picked up a shot, a block, and a +1 rating in 10:16 of ice time in a 5-2 win over Columbus in December. His AHL season was on par with previous years, with the 6-foot-1, 193-pound rearguard notching 19 points (8G-11A) in 70 games, ranking third among Iowa defenders. Drafted by the Wild with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Lambos spent his entire junior career with the Kootenay/Winnipeg ICE, now known as the Wenatchee Wild. He wore a letter in three of his four seasons, closed out his career with 128 points (31G-97A) in 176 games, was named to the 2022 WHL East Division First All-Star Team and won gold at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. Kayden Lemire 2026 fourth-round selection Kayden Lemire has brought a physical, heavy presence to the Prince George Cougars' forward group. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound winger tabbed nine goals (including two game-winners) and 20 assists for 29 points in 68 outings with the Cats, finishing fourth on the team in penalty minutes (62). Originally selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, the Edmonton, Alta. native has scored 35 points (13G-22A) in 134 regular-season contests with Prince George. Ryder Ritchie Twenty-year-old Ryder Ritchie stepped into a new league with a 17-point (7G-10A) run in 36 games at Boston University. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger was selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft after winning WHL Rookie of the Year in 2023. Ritchie, who hails from Calgary, Alta., was just shy of a point-per-game in his WHL career, tallying 160 points (68G-92A) in 161 games across three seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Prince Albert Raiders. Ritchie's major junior tenure was highlighted by a 25-point (12G-13A) run in the 2025 WHL Playoffs that saw the Tabbies capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup Final. Filip Ruzicka The Wild feature two goaltending prospects who happen to be WHL Goaltender of the Year finalists who've also inked their three-year, entry-level deals! Filip Ruzicka became the first goalie selected in the 2026 NHL Draft (fifth round, 136th overall) to sign an ELC when he put pen to paper on July 14. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Ruzicka went 26-14-1-0 with a 3.19 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage and two shutouts in the regular season, finishing seventh among all qualified WHL netminders in save percentage and wins, while making headlines for a wild goalie fight against Regina's Taylor Tabashniuk. After being named a finalist for WHL Goaltender of the Year, the Trinec, Cze. product turned in a 64-shot performance in a 1-0 triple-overtime loss to the Calgary Hitmen in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Despite the loss, Ruzicka was lauded as one of the stars of the series. Chase Wutzke Twenty-year-old Chase Wutzke suited up for four different teams in 2025-26 while making his professional debut. The Debden, Sask. product went 16-24-3-1 with a 3.33 goals-against average, .904 save percentage, and one shutout with Red Deer Rebels and Moose Jaw Warriors. Wutzke, who stands 6-foot-3 and 156 pounds, finished second in saves (1,404) while facing the third-most shots of any WHL goalie (1,553) en route to his first nomination for WHL Goaltender of the Year. The 2024 fifth-round Wild draft pick signed his ELC back in September. Upon the conclusion of Moose Jaw's season, Wutzke jumped to the ECHL's Iowa Heartlanders, going 2-1-2 with a 2.98 GAA and .898 save percentage. He closed out the campaign with a 31-save effort in his AHL debut, a 6-1 loss to the Manitoba Moose.

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.