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2026 WHL Graduates: Seattle Thunderbirds

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 03:51:24 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. These T-Birds have been cleared for takeoff after long WHL careers.

Coster Dunn (F) Hometown: Stony Plain, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 235 GP – 65 G-79 A – 144 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Seventh Round, 139th Overall (Seattle Thunderbirds) His time in the WHL may be 'Dunn', but 20-year-old Coster Dunn skates away from major junior hockey a champion. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward notched his first WHL point, an assist on Jared Davidson's game-winning goal, in his league debut on December 30, 2021, and never looked back. Dunn scraped together two goals and an assist in 11 call-up appearances in 2021-22 and suited up for 58 games the following season for his rookie year, scoring 10 points 4G-6A) in the process. While he only cracked the lineup for a pair of games in the 2023 WHL Playoffs, the Thunderbirds rolled the competition to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup and advance to the Memorial Cup. Dunn took on a bigger role as the team started to rebuild in 2023-24, but truly hit his stride in 2024-25, when he cracked the 20-goal milestone for the first time and poured out 56 points (26G-30A) in 67 games, tied for second on the team in goals, earned an 'A', and returned to the playoffs after a one-season absence. Dunn's final campaign saw him leave it all on the ice. The Stony Plain, Alta. product logged 25 goals (including three shorthanded strikes and five game-winners) and 30 assists for 55 points in 62 outings- good for second on the team in points and goals. He also led Seattle in postseason scoring with five points (3G-2A) in five games against the B.C. Division champion Penticton Vees. Dunn graduates from the WHL with 144 points (65G-79A) in 235 games over parts of five seasons Joe Gramer (D) Hometown: Moorhead, Minn.
WHL Career Stats: 29 GP – 1 G-14 A – 15 points
WHL Draft: Listed (Seattle Thunderbirds) Moorhead, Minn.'s Joe Gramer had a short but effective WHL career. The 6-foot, 200-pound defender signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Seattle Thunderbirds on January 7, 2026, and made his debut against the Lethbridge Hurricanes the same day. He didn't have to wait long to get his first WHL goal, lighting the lamp in his second game against the Medicine Hat Tigers just two days later. The 20-year-rookie closed out the campaign with 15 points (1G-14A) in 29 games and battled hard through the first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, where he buried two goals and a pair of helpers in five games versus the Vees. Ashton Cumby (D) Hometown: Bonnyville, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 256 GP – 6 G-30 A – 36 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Fourth Round, 80th Overall (Winnipeg ICE) Six-foot-6, 216-pound defender Ashton Cumby cut a fearsome figure on blue lines across the WHL. The Bonnyville, Alta.-born skater broke into the WHL with the then-Winnipeg ICE on December 29, 2021, and made the team full-time the following year, putting up a pair of assists and a +13 rating in his rookie season. 2023-24 saw the franchise move to Wenatchee, Wash., and become the Wild. Cumby dished out four assists and 57 penalty minutes in 38 games before the Seattle Thunderbirds snapped him up in a midseason trade. He'd close out the year with 124 penalty minutes and four helpers in 70 outings. His fearsome reputation held steady in his first full run as a T-Bird, but he stepped up his offensive contributions, too. Cumby posted 13 points (2G-11A) and 102 PIMs while playing all 68 games in 2024-25, which caught the eye of NHL teams. The Chicago Blackhawks picked up Cumby with the162nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, and he followed it up with a career-best 17 points (4G-13A) in 59 games this season. He bows out of major junior with six goals, 30 assists, 36 points, and 361 penalty minutes in 256 games over parts of five seasons. Cumby is preparing to turn pro after signing a two-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the Chicago Blackhawks' affiliate, in May of 2026.

2006-born forward Miles Cooper named newest captain of Victoria Royals

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 02:40:25 +0000

Victoria, B.C., – The Victoria Royals announced today that Miles Cooper has been named the eleventh captain in team history. Cooper, a 2006-born forward hailing from Calgary, A.B., is entering his second season with the Royals. Cooper was acquired by the Royals via a trade with the Wenatchee Wild just prior to the start of the 2025-26 season. “Miles has been an important part of our team since he joined us last year, leading both on and off the ice.” said Royals’ Head Coach James Patrick. “When you look for a captain, you look for a player that is respected by his teammates, competes every day and leads by example, Miles checks all those boxes.” Originally drafted in the third-round of the 2021 WHL Draft by the Winnipeg ICE, Cooper has scored 143 points in 189 games in the WHL. Cooper is coming off a 2025-26 season that saw him score 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) in 50 games played. Assistant captains will be finalized at a later date.

McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective: Kelowna Rockets

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:19:49 +0000

WHL clubs may have up to 50 people on their protected lists, but the Kelowna Rockets blew that number out of the water as more than 350 fans hit the ice at Prospera Place to join the team for a family skate. The annual event sees fans get up close and personal with their favourite players while supporting the Central Okanagan Food Bank. The 350 participants mark the highest turnout the Rockets have ever seen for the event, while every rostered skater took part. "It was great to see so many fans come out and have the chance to meet our players and get to know them away from the rink," Rockets director of communications and social media Kohen Dengler said. "To be able to bring our community together while also supporting the Central Okanagan Food Bank made the day even more special." Each fan brought a non-perishable food item for the food bank, with an estimated 500 pounds ultimately making its way to the non-profit. The Central Okanagan Food Bank's programs include access to food hampers, specific bundles for new and expectant parents and newborns, and school meal and snack initiatives. An estimated 10,500 people utilize these programs every month. The Rockets hope to see the event continue to grow since bringing it back in the winter of 2022.

The Western Hockey League strives to promote and foster a welcoming environment in communities close to our 23 clubs in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Every team has the creative freedom to allow their players and staff to work with the organizations and groups that they are most passionate about. The end goal is to create and maintain long-lasting relationships and ongoing partnerships within their community. Through the McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective, we aim to highlight these outstanding initiatives done by each club throughout the season.

WHL Regular Season games to stream free on YouTube

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:28:32 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League today announced live streaming of WHL games for the 2026-27 season will shift to YouTube, on an interim basis.

The decision to move the livestreaming of WHL games follows uncertainty regarding the future of Victory+, the WHL’s exclusive livestreaming partner since March 2025.

“The WHL’s audience is growing rapidly. We continue to believe that providing easy access to games is of critical value and importance as we look to expand our reach and deliver WHL excitement to our fans,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “By moving WHL Regular Season games to YouTube on a short-term basis, we are protecting that access for fans to livestream their favourite WHL Club and watch their favourite WHL stars when the 2026-27 season gets underway Friday, September 18.”

Over two playoffs and one regular season livestreaming on Victory+, the WHL achieved great success with millions of viewers tuning in, generating unprecedented exposure and reach for WHL Clubs and players, representing a significant step forward in accessibility for fans. WHL Clubs invested in enhancements to their productions, including additional content, intermission programming, camera angles, and more.

“While we are disappointed to part ways, our time with Victory+ resulted in remarkable growth and exposure for the WHL as a result of the increased accessibility for fans,” Near said. “WHL Clubs pushed forward, investing in their production and exploring new ways to deliver games to fans via our livestreaming product. To this day, we hear accounts from fans who discovered the WHL because of our decision to work alongside Victory+, a company with Western Canadian roots. In today’s changing landscape, accessibility to the product is paramount and we will explore all options to deliver games to WHL fans around the world.”

The WHL remains committed to delivering a premium livestreaming experience for fans. Consistency with game production will be maintained as the WHL enters its next livestreaming chapter.

More information regarding the WHL on YouTube will be made available ahead of the start of the 2026-27 WHL Regular Season.

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.

2026 WHL Graduates: Saskatoon Blades

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:55:15 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. Today, we highlight some Blade City rollers.

Rowan Calvert (F) Hometown: Moose Jaw, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 269 GP – 70 G-72 A – 142 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Ninth Round, 187th Overall (Saskatoon Blades) Rowan Calvert's winding WHL journey featured one of the most dramatic playoff series in modern WHL history, family showdowns, comebacks, and plenty of highlight-reel goals. And it all started with a ninth-round draft pick. The Saskatchewan-born-and-bred forward made his WHL debut on December 4, 2021, and scored his first goal on December 27- the game-winning strike against the Blades' greatest rival, the Prince Albert Raiders. Calvert slowly began carving out a role for himself on a Saskatoon roster that was steadily growing more dangerous. In 2023-24, he logged 25 points (10G-15A) as the Blades went 50-13-2-3 to capture the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular season champions. The 6-foot, 193-pound winger added another three goals and an assist in the 2024 WHL Playoffs, culminating in the epic Eastern Conference Championship, which saw Rowan face off against brother Atley and the Moose Jaw Warriors. Six of the seven games in the series required overtime, though the Warriors would ultimately move on. Despite many important players, including NHL prospects, moving on, Calvert and the Blades wouldn't follow the typical rebuilding cycle of many junior squads. Instead, Calvert took the increased ice time and put forward his first 20-plus goal season, netting 53 points (24G-29A) in 64 games. His final campaign saw the Moose Jaw product top that with a team-leading 31 tallies, in addition to 22 assists. Calvert's 53 points ranked fourth on the team The 2026 WHL Playoffs saw the Blades upset the higher-ranked Edmonton Oil Kings in another wild seven-game showdown. This time, it was Calvert pulling the trigger to put the Blades on top. While the Blades would come up short against the eventual Eastern Conference champion Raiders, the underdog Blades had plenty to celebrate. Calvert, who was an alternate captain for his final two seasons in Blade City, never missed the playoffs in his WHL career and graduates with 70 goals and 72 assists for 142 points in 269 games over parts of five seasons. Tyler Parr (F) Hometown: La Salle, Man.
WHL Career Stats: 285 GP – 48 G-101 A – 149 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Third Round, 55th Overall (Saskatoon Blades) Like Calvert, La Salle, Man.'s Tyler Parr basked in some of the best years in recent memory in Saskatoon and spent his entire major junior career in blue and gold. The do-it-all winger took his first laps at the SaskTel Centre on October 2, 2021, and scored his first goal in his third outing- an overtime thriller against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Parr seemed primed for a breakout in his sophomore season after posting 14 points (4G-10A) in 27 games, but an upper-body injury cut his season short in mid-December, though he managed to make it back in time for the 2023 WHL Playoffs. As the Blades embarked upon their regular-season championship season in 2023-24, Parr proved to be a dependable force with 31 points (11G-20A) in a full, healthy season that featured three shorthanded strikes. He played 11 matches in the 2024 postseason as the Blades marched to the conference championship and scored twice along the way. Parr earned an 'A' in 2024-25 and iced what would be his most prolific WHL campaign. He logged 20 goals and 41 assists for a team-best 61 points in 66 games. Parr was tapped to captain the Blades for his final season, becoming the 64th captain in franchise history. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound forward tallied 32 points (10G-22A) and 77 penalty minutes in his final campaign, and came through with four massive goals and three helpers in nine playoff matches. Parr won't be going far as he bids farewell to the WHL. He'll be heading across the city to join a strong contingent of former Blades with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Parr wraps up his time in major junior with 48 goals and 101 assists for 149 points in 285 regular-season games.

Trio of Rucks run rampant in Tigers preseason win

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:53:03 +0000

Lethbridge, Alta.- Medicine Hat Tigers fans are used to seeing Markus and Liam Ruck whiz around the ice and light the lamp endlessly thanks to their preternatural chemistry. But on Tuesday night, the L. Ruck and M. Ruck name bars were flanked by a third- LA. Ruck. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospects suited up for the Tigers' first preseason game on a line with their younger brother, 2026 WHL Prospects Draft pick Landon Ruck. https://twitter.com/tigershockey/status/2094955458033541471 "Once I knew that I was gonna play in a preseason game with my brothers on the first line starting, it was a great feeling," Landon beamed postgame. "It was a great game, fast pace, and, you know, I loved it every shift. It might be the only time I'll ever play with them, so it was a dream." With Liam and Markus going 22nd and 39th overall, respectively, to the Penguins in the 2026 NHL Draft and gearing up for what will likely be their final WHL season, and 15-year-old Landon at least one year away from potentially making the Tigers full-time, that's probably the correct assessment. So they had to make the most of it. The top two scorers from the 2025-26 season got right back to business as Liam buried two first-period goals, with Markus providing both primary assists. With the Lethbridge Hurricanes leading 3-2 in the third period, Landon joined the party as he teed up Markus to tie the game. "I saw him kind of looking at me," Markus said. "He made a nice hard pass, right on the tape, gave me a lane. Both these guys are so fun to play with. I think Landon looks good up front there. Who knows? Maybe he'll be a forward one day." All told, the trio combined for four goals and three assists in a 5-3 victory. Not too shabby, especially considering Landon is a defenceman. "I love forward," Landon added. "I love scoring goals and making plays. I played one game, I think, this year (at) forward, got a goal, so yeah, I think I've been loving it. Defence is good too! But yeah, I think forward is pretty fun." What's more, the Rucks' win came against their dad Derek's former WHL club. Derek Ruck spent three seasons with the Hurricanes from 1998 to 2001, logging 67 points (18G-49A) in 206 games. Derek, mom Nina (who won the game's 50/50 raffle), and their grandparents were all in attendance for the momentous night. The three brothers have come a long way from mini-stick battles in the basement of their Osoyoos, B.C., home. The mirror twins captured the 2025 WHL Championship and followed it up by finishing first and second in scoring among all CHL skaters in their sophomore campaign (Markus was top dog with 108 points, while Liam clocked in with 104). During the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, Tigers General Manager and Head Coach Willie Desjardins called the twins and let them know the team planned to take Landon. At the time, several Medicine Hat players were at the Ruck home, and when Landon was revealed as the 171st overall pick in Round Eight, he got tackled by a swarm of Tabbies in celebration. Landon, who stands 5-foot-7 and 141 pounds, has been on deck watching his brothers dominate the hockey world, from the WHL Championship to the 2026 WHL Prospects Game and the 2026 NHL Draft. This season, he'll suit up for the Okanagan Hockey Academy's U17 side in the CSSHL after posting 19 points (4G-15A) at the U15 level in 2025-26. While the brothers prepare to split for the regular season and continue to chase their NHL dreams, Tuesday's preseason game will hold a special place in the hearts of their entire family. "I get to go out there every day with my twin brother; that's special in its own," Liam said. "But getting to go out there with both these guys, it's a different feeling, and it was so fun being out there with them."

NHL Prospect Watch: Winnipeg Jets

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:27:02 +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. We're closing out the 2026 NHL Prospect Watch with the fully-loaded Winnipeg Jets.

Tyrel Bauer What heavyweight defenceman Tyrel Bauer lacks in teeth, he more than makes up for in heart. The 24-year-old has continued to make an impact on and off the ice in Manitoba in his fourth season of AHL hockey. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound blueliner netted five points (1G-4A), a +11 rating and 110 penalty minutes in 52 matches with the Manitoba Moose in 2025-26. Bauer, from Cochrane, Alta., led the Moose in penalty minutes and earned a two-year contract extension with the Jets organization in the process. The big man was also honoured as the AHL Man of the Year in recognition of his numerous volunteer efforts. At the junior level, Bauer spent four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds and captained the squad for two campaigns, including an inspirational comeback from a knee injury to reach the 2022 WHL Championship Series. Bauer bagged 48 points (12G-36A) and 256 penalty minutes over 181 career regular-season games. He was selected by the Jets with the 164th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Brad Lambert 2022 first-round pick (30th overall) Brad Lambert is gunning to make the NHL full-time in 2026-27 after breaking into 25 games with the Jets last season. The 22-year-old buried his first NHL goal in a 5-2 win over Pittsburgh on November 25, 2025, and went on to total six points (3G-3A) while averaging 10:48 of ice time. At the AHL level, Lambert tallied 13 points (6G-7A) in 34 contests. Now entering the final year of his three-year, entry-level contract, Lambert has plenty to prove as he hunts for a spot on the opening-night roster. The 6-foot, 183-pound forward from Finland made a major splash in his lone WHL season, scoring 38 points (17G-21A) in 26 regular-season games with the Seattle Thunderbirds before marching to a WHL Championship with 26 points (6G-20A) in 17 playoff games. Markus Loponen Twenty-year-old Markus Loponen returned to his native Finland for 2025-26 after spending the previous season with the Victoria Royals. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward racked up six points (3G-3A) and 24 penalty minutes in 40 contests with HPK in Liiga action, in addition to six helpers with the club's U20 squad in the U20 SM-sarja (Finland's top junior league). Loponen enjoyed a productive campaign with the Royals in 2024-25 with 44 points (19G-25A) in 65 games. His goals were good for sixth on the team as the Royals clinched the B.C. Division. Loponen also nabbed four goals and two assists in 11 playoff games. Winnipeg added him to the flight list with the 155th pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Owen Martin The hometown kid has made major strides since being selected with the 92nd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NHL Draft. This season saw Owen Martin earn an 'A' for the Spokane Chiefs and register 26 goals (including three shorthanded strikes and six game-winners) and 30 assists for 56 points in 65 games. His 799 faceoff wins (55.6%) also ranked second among all WHL centermen. The 6-foot, 185-pound forward picked up another five goals in six playoff games one year after climbing all the way to the 2025 WHL Championship Series. The 19-year-old has surpassed the career 100-point mark with 53 goals and 61 assists, and is gearing up for a final spin with the Chiefs- and another shot at the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Thomas Milic 2023 WHL Goaltender of the Year Thomas Milic's first NHL reps may not have been smooth, but the former champion was hardly put in a position for success. The 23-year-old went 0-1-0 with a 3.46 goals-against average and an .871 save percentage in one start and two relief appearances for the Jets. Still, the 6-foot, 179-pound puckstopper was praised for his skill and composure, and thrived at the AHL level with a 20-13-8 record, a 2.64 GAA, a .905 save percentage and four shutouts. He was also named to the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. Drafted by the Jets with the 151st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Milic shone at the junior level. The New Westminster, B.C. native spent his entire WHL career with the Seattle Thunderbirds, stringing together a 60-23-3-3 career record with a 2.35 GAA, a .917 save percentage and eight shutouts over parts of four seasons. He backstopped the T-Birds to the 2023 WHL Championship with a 16-3-0 run, a 1.95 GAA, a .933 save percentage and one clean sheet. In addition to capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup, Milic was recognized as the 2023 WHL Playoff MVP and WHL Goaltender of the Year. Isaac Poulter Six-foot-2, 174-pound goaltender Isaac Poulter continues to make his way up the hockey ranks as an undrafted free agent. The 24-year-old signed with the Jets as an unrestricted free agent after previously earning a two-year, entry-level deal with the New Jersey Devils back in 2024. Poulter went 2-0-0 with the Moose, logging a 2.83 GAA and an .885 save percentage. He spent most of the campaign with the ECHL's Norfolk Admirals, going 25-17-1 with a 2.76 GAA, a .905 save percentage and two shutouts. All told, it was enough to earn a one-year, two-way contract extension with Winnipeg. The Winnipeger came up through the Swift Current Broncos as the team rebuilt after its 2018 WHL Championship and enjoyed a 20-win season in his final run in 2021-22. Poulter, 24, owned a 35-87-8-4 record at the junior level, including a 3.76 GAA, an .898 save percentage and six shutouts. Noa Ta’amu Remember the (full) name: Alofa Tunoa Ta'amu. The formidable 6-foot-2, 237-pound shutdown defenceman is fresh off prowling the Edmonton blueline for a second season, where he posted 12 points (3G-9A), a +29 rating and 81 penalty minutes in 62 games. Ta'amu scored his first playoff goal in 2026, though the injury-riddled Oil Kings would bow out in the first round. The San Diego, Calif. product also helped the United States win a historic gold medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and represented the East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game. With plenty of high-end opportunities to showcase his game, Ta'amu found himself selected with the 199th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old also makes history as the first player of Samoan descent drafted to the NHL. Now, he'll try to get one step closer to making his debut as he returns to Edmonton for a third season. Brayden Yager Will next season see 2024 WHL Champion Brayden Yager get his shot in the show? The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward made his NHL debut on April 13, 2026, and suited up for Winnipeg's final three games of the season. This comes after the talented youngster put up 30 points (10G-20A) in 68 contests with the Moose in his first professional season, leading all Moose rookie skaters in scoring and finishing fourth on the team in assists. Yager added another four helpers in seven playoff games to cap off his rookie run. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Yager was acquired by Winnipeg as part of the Rutger McGroarty trade in August of 2024. The Saskatoon, Sask. product was a star from the jump in the junior ranks, claiming WHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honours with a 59-point (34G-25A) run in 2021-22. Yager never dipped below 28 goals in the WHL, and erupted for 95 points (35G-60A) in 2023-24. The 2024 WHL Playoffs saw him take flight with 27 points (11G-16A) in 20 games to bring Moose Jaw its first-ever WHL Championship and he followed it up by netting three goals and three assists at the Memorial Cup. He capped off his time in major junior with the Lethbridge Hurricanes as part of their playoff push, and totalled 332 points (129G-203A) in 265 games over parts of five seasons. His accolades include back-to-back wins as the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player, CHL Sportsman of the Year honours and two nominations to the WHL East Division Second All-Star Team.

2026 WHL Graduates: Regina Pats

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:23:26 +0000

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. Today, we check in on the Kings of the Queen City.

Caden Brown (F) Hometown: Prince George, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 289 GP – 80 G-91 A – 171 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – First Round, 17th Overall (Prince George Cougars) 2020 first-round pick Caden Brown's tour of the WHL saw him light the lamp for teams in three different divisions, while ultimately graduating as a member of the Blue Brigade. The Prince George, B.C. native was selected by his hometown team at 17th overall in 2020 and got his first shot to prove himself in 2021-22, scoring his first WHL goal against the Victoria Royals on October 22, 2021. Brown churned out 16 points (7G-9A) in 67 games in his first campaign, but more than doubled his totals as he logged 18 goals (including two game-winners) and 15 assists for 33 points in 2022-23. With seven points (3G-4A) in 10 playoff games, Brown helped the Cats reach the second round of the WHL Playoffs for the first time since 2007. He went from one contender to another, as the Everett Silvertips acquired the speedy forward in August of 2023. Brown only suited up for 37 games in 2023-24, but continued to see his production rise. 2024-25 saw him head north of the border to his final team in the Queen City, piling up 36 points (19G-17A) in 55 games with the Pats and Silvertips. Named an alternate captain for his final WHL season, Brown flexed the talent that made him a first round draft pick, logging 28 goals and 33 assists for 61 points in 64 games. Brown led the Pats in points, finished second in goals and third in assists and led the squad with 25 powerplay points. He graduates from the Dub with 171 points (80G-91A) in 289 games over five seasons. Ephram McNutt (D) Hometown: Ponoka County, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 237 GP – 23 G-82 A – 105 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Fifth Round, 92nd Overall (Prince George Cougars) The sky is the limit for Ephram McNutt. Over four seasons, the steady defender showed that where you're drafted doesn't reflect the impact you can have on a team. After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 WHL Draft, McNutt debuted for the Prince George Cougars in the 2022 WHL Playoffs, suiting up for a single game, along with Brown. His first regular-season spin saw the 6-foot, 181-pound defender score a goal and an assist against the Tri City Americans. McNutt ultimately closed out his rookie campaign with eight points (1G-7A) in 55 outings. The Ponoka County, Alta. product's sophomore run saw the Cougars climb to new heights, netting 15 points (3G-12A) in 64 outings to claim the B.C. Division title and battle to the 2024 Western Conference Championship (McNutt scored the game-winning goal in Game 1 against Kelowna in Round Two). 2024-25 brought major changes as McNutt was traded to Regina to help lead the rebuilding Pats, and while the team wouldn't make the postseason, he helped lay the groundwork for the team to make its return to the postseason in his final campaign. In September of 2025, McNutt was named the 83rd captain in franchise history and delivered with a career-best 53-point (13G-40A) run in 66 games. McNutt led the Pats in assists and finished fourth on the team in overall scoring and 14th among all WHL blueliners. He also scored a critical goal in Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, which saw the underdog Pats take a game off the defending champion Medicine Hat Tigers. McNutt closes out his WHL caareer with 105 points (23G-82A) in 237 regular-season games over parts of five seasons, while also attaining his pilot license.

NHL Prospect Watch: Washington Capitals

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:20:06 +0000

Andrew Cristall If fans had questions about how one of the greatest modern WHL scorers would fare at the next level, Andrew Cristall had answers. The 2025 WHL top scorer dazzled with 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in 72 games with the AHL's Hershey Bears, forming a tremendous one-two punch with AHL rookie of the year and OHL graduate Ilya Protas. Cristall ranked third in scoring among all AHL rookies and even nailed his first AHL hat trick in a five-point (3G-2A) performance against Hartford on April 4. Washington's 2023 second-rounder (40th overall) bagged 412 points (157G-255A) in 248 games over five seasons with the Kelowna Rockets and a brief sojourn with Spokane that saw the Chiefs reach the 2025 WHL Championship Series. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound forward is the first WHLer of the 21st century to surpass 400 points, thanks in part to his back-to-back hundred-plus point seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Now, the 21-year-old is ready to fight for his chance to show he can fill the net at the NHL level. Brett Hyland It hasn't been an easy road to pro for the former Brandon Wheat Kings alternate captain, but Brett Hyland is still ready to show his drive and skill. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound forward has returned to Capitals development camp after a year away. Hyland, 23, spent 2025-26 with the NCAA's University of Nebraska-Omaha, potting 16 points (8G-8A) in 32 games and adding 54 penalty minutes. The Edmontonian transferred south after suiting up for his hometown University of Alberta, where he had 33 points (13G-20A) in 21 outings to earn a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie and Second All-Star Teams. He spent his entire WHL career with the Wheaties, piling up 145 points (75G-70A) in 195 games over parts of five seasons, highlighted by a 59-point (32G-27A) run in 2023-24. Washington selected Hyland 200th overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Lynden Lakovic The 2024 WHL Champions' tenure as the Moose Jaw Warriors' captain was short-lived as he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, but the 6-foot-4, 203-pound forward looked to be on the right track. Lakovic still put up 29 points (18G-11A) in 22 regular-season outings, averaging 1.32 points per game. Now 19, Lakovic is expected to make the jump to the AHL for 2026-27. The West Kelowna, B.C. product has piled up 133 points (65G-68A) in 175 regular-season games over parts of five seasons in the Friendly City, but his Warriors legacy will likely be defined by his postseason success. The 2024 WHL Playoffs saw Lakovic bury five goals, four of them game-winners, and three assists in 20 games to bring Moose Jaw its first WHL Championship. None of the goals were bigger than his back-to-back overtime winners in Games 6 and 7 to eliminate the rival Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern Conference Championship. Lakovic went to the Capitals at 17th overall in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Terik Parascak Cristall isn't the only WHL franchise great on this list... 2024 17th overall pick Terik Parascak ranks as one of the most prolific scorers in Prince George's history. While the 20-year-old's overall production dipped slightly in 2025-26, his goals were actually up, with 33 tallies (including a hat trick) and 46 assists for 79 points in 61 outings to lead the Cats in points and goals. The WHL seventh-round pick has never dipped below 28 goals in a full WHL season. The 6-foot, 187-pound winger also showed up in a big way in the postseason with seven goals (including two game-winners) and 10 assists for 17 points in 12 playoff games. The Lethbridge, Alta. product, who wore an 'A' for Prince George in 2025-26, signed his entry-level contract with Washington in July of 2024 and is expected to suit up for Hershey next season. With 266 points (104G-162A) in 192 regular-season games, Parascak is second in franchise scoring since the Cougars moved to Prince George ahead of the 1994-95 season. Alexander Suzdalev After spending most of his rookie professional season in the ECHL, Alexander Suzdalev stuck around with the Bears in 2025-26, registering 24 points (10G-14A) in 41 contests. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward did some of his best work in the later stages of the season, with seven goals and six assists coming in his last 18 games. Suzdalev, 22, played two seasons in the WHL with the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades, totalling 111 points (47G-64A) in 96 games. The 2022-23 campaign with Regina saw him lead all WHL rookies in points (86), goals (38), and assists (48), while making the CHL All-Rookie team. Suzdalev was selected with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Tyus Sparks Crafty winger Tyus Sparks is looking to catch fire as he prepares for his third WHL campaign. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward split his draft year between the Vancouver Giants and Spokane Chiefs, having been acquired by Spokane at the 2026 WHL Trade Deadline. After registering 37 points (16G-21A) in 40 games in the Lower Mainland, Sparks finished the season as the Chiefs' leading scorer with a 65-point (28G-37A) campaign. The Meridian, Idaho product also put up two goals and an assist in five playoff games before being selected with the 101st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. While he's still travelling an unconventional path through the hockey ranks, Sparks has proved there's plenty to be excited about as he fine-tunes his raw game. Logan Stuart The hockey winds are blowing 2026 seventh-round (208th overall) pick Logan Stuart to Lethbridge! The 5-foot-11, 174-pound forward (and his brother, Jake) will suit up for the Hurricanes for their first WHL season in 2026-27. Stuart, 18, spent last season with the U.S. National Team Development Program, posting 30 points (10G-20A) in 57 games with the NTDP and 15 points (3G-12A) at the USHL level. The Manhattan Beach, Calif. product has also represented the United States at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2024 Youth Olympic Games, where he won a gold medal.

McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective: Red Deer Rebels

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:02:43 +0000

It takes plenty of bravery to hit the ice in front of thousands of hockey fans. But the Red Deer Rebels are also focused on learning about courage. Courage to speak up. Courage to do the right thing. Courage to use their platform for good. The team has a longstanding partnership with the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, a not-for-profit organization designed to help children, youth and families experiencing abuse seek help and find resources during difficult times. RCMP and Children & Family Services can refer people in need to CACAC, which can build a collaborative response encompassing everything from forensic interviews in a supportive environment to court preparation and accompaniment to trauma referral and mental health support. Each October, the Rebels participate in the CACAC's Go Blue Campaign as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, hosting CACAC volunteers at a game and attending the facility's annual open house at the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence. According to the CACAC, one in three Canadians have experienced a form of child abuse. "One in three is a staggering statistic," Rebels Vice-President, Marketing and Sales Dean Williams said. " Not only do we want to change those numbers, but we want to show our young players the effects of child abuse firsthand. We obviously want to develop good hockey players, but we also want our players to become great citizens in whatever communities they end up in after their playing days... Volunteering, helping shed light on an issue, spending your time to help where you are able. Even if you become a famous NHLer, or you end up being a doctor or a business owner in your hometown, giving back is tremendously rewarding and beneficial to those you help."

On October 25, 2025, the CACAC was out in full force for Red Deer's match against Regina, with an extra-special guest on hand for the ceremonial puck drop- CACAC's accredited facility dog, Quinn, who is trained to support individuals in schools, courthouses, hospitals and care facilities.

The team looks forward to teaming up with the CACAC for the next Go Blue Day in 2026 and hopes to remind people throughout Central Alberta that it takes a team to raise awareness and amplify voices in hopes of ending child abuse.