Of the 16 NHL teams to advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, four will be captained by former WHL players, including the Anaheim Ducks (Radko Gudas), Dallas Stars (Jamie Benn), Minnesota Wild (Jared Spurgeon), and Vegas Golden Knights (Mark Stone).

KEY STORYLINES

Geekie, Minten guide Bruins back to post-season

Returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2024, the Boston Bruins can thank notable regular season performances from Morgan Geekie – who finished with a career-high 39 goals and 68 points – and Fraser Minten, whose rookie season featured 35 points (17G-18A) in 82 games.

Ruff, Byram & Co., lead Sabres back to Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons, led by Head Coach and WHL alumnus Lindy Ruff (Lethbridge Broncos, 1976-77 to 1978-79). Stanley Cup champions Bowen Byram and Luke Schenn help anchor the Sabres blueline.

Jarvis critical to Carolina’s success

Former Portland Winterhawks star Seth Jarvis currently ranks as the fourth highest playoff producer in Carolina Hurricanes / Hartford Whalers franchise history – safe to say that the product of Winnipeg is a catalyst. Jarvis will be vital if the Hurricanes hope to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time since 2006.

Kelly’s secondary scoring invaluable to Avalanche

WHL Champion and former Prince Albert Raiders forward Parker Kelly enjoyed a breakout season, reaching the 20-goal plateau and securing a career best 35 points for an Avalanche squad that isn’t short on firepower. Winners of the NHL regular season title, the Avalanche now aim to follow through on a Stanley Cup championship run. Kelly’s experience during the 2019 WHL Playoffs will help him be a valuable contributor down the lineup.

Captain Benn back for more with Stars

Jamie Benn won a WHL Championship during his time with the Kelowna Rockets, but he has yet to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup with the Dallas Stars. After 1,252 NHL regular season games and 13 seasons as captain of the Stars, will this be the year Benn reaches the promised land? He’s won an Olympic gold medal and a World Juniors gold medal on top of his WHL Championship. He has 120 games of NHL post-season experience.

Draisaitl ready to return to Oilers after missing time with injury

WHL Champion Leon Draisaitl is ready to return to the lineup for the Edmonton Oilers after missing the final month of the NHL regular season. The former Kelowna Rocket and Prince Albert Raider nearly reached the 100-point plateau for the fifth consecutive season, but injury held him just short as he finished 2025-26 with 97 points (35G-62A) in 65 games. The captain of Germany’s 2026 Winter Olympic team, Draisaitl has been a monster for the Oilers as they have made back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Final (2024, 2025).

Captain Spurgeon brings Championship experience to Minnesota

A veteran of 16 seasons and 1,012 NHL regular season games, Jared Spurgeon’s experience having won a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs will serve him well as the Wild make a second consecutive post-season appearance. The Wild haven’t advanced beyond the first round since 2015 – Spurgeon will play an important role if that is to change in 2026.

Cozens helps Sens to second consecutive post-season appearance

Former Lethbridge Hurricanes forward Dylan Cozens enjoyed a 59-point (28G-31A) campaign in his first full season in Canada’s capital, helping the Senators to a second consecutive post-season appearance. The product of Whitehorse, Yukon, is no stranger to post-season play, having laced up for 35 WHL Playoff games with the Hurricanes, where he recorded 29 points (14G-15A) along the way.

Sanheim set for shutdown role on Flyers blueline

Fresh off representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, former Calgary Hitmen blueliner Travis Sanheim will be tasked with slowing the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as the Philadelphia Flyers face the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his WHL tenure, Sanheim was a force – tallying 26 points (7G-19A) in 28 WHL post-season appearances with the Hitmen.

Kindel ready for Stanley Cup Playoffs debut

Former Calgary Hitmen star Ben Kindel exploded onto the scene as an 18-year-old rookie this season, registering 35 points (17G-18A) in 77 games. The product of Coquitlam B.C., was a reliable post-season performer in the WHL, collecting 15 points (8G-7A) in 11 WHL Playoff games over two seasons. He will look to compliment a long list of veteran Pens stars as they return to the NHL post-season.

Point looks to power Lightning once again

No NHL team has more post-season appearances (10), series wins (15), or Stanley Cups (2; tied) than the Tampa Bay Lightning have since 2015-16. Former Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Point led all players in post-season goals during Tampa Bay’s most recent Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021.

Guenther & Mammoth make first playoff appearance in Utah history

For the first time in NHL history, there will be playoff hockey in the state of Utah, with two-time WHL Champion Dylan Guenther primed to play a pivotal role for the Mammoth. The former Edmonton Oil King and Seattle Thunderbird hit 40 goals for the first time in his NHL career, finishing the season with 73 points (40G-33A). In 38 WHL Playoff games, he registered 49 points (29G-20A). Will his regular season success and WHL experience translate to the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Golden Knights boast more WHL Alumni than any other Stanley Cup Playoff team

Led by GM Kelly McCrimmon – a longtime staple of the Brandon Wheat Kings – along with captain Mark Stone, the Vegas Golden Knights are boosted by 10 WHL Alumni – more than any NHL team to have qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Stone and defenceman Shea Theodore helped Vegas win it all in 2023 and they both represented Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

LIST OF WHL ALUMNI on ROSTERS FOR 2026 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

(last WHL Club listed) * = injured / non-roster player

ANAHEIM DUCKS (3)

Radko Gudas (Everett Silvertips), Jansen Harkins (Prince George Cougars), Olen Zellweger (Kamloops Blazers)

BOSTON BRUINS (5)

Morgan Geekie (Tri-City Americans), Tanner Jeannot (Moose Jaw Warriors), Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks), Mark Kastelic (Calgary Hitmen), Fraser Minten (Saskatoon Blades)

BUFFALO SABRES (6)

Zach Benson (Winnipeg ICE), Bowen Byram (Vancouver Giants), Tyson Kozak (Portland Winterhawks), Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg ICE), Beck Malenstyn (Swift Current Broncos), Luke Schenn (Kelowna Rockets)

CAROLINA HURRICANES (3)

Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks), Jordan Martinook (Vancouver Giants), Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers)

COLORADO AVALANCHE (2)

Parker Kelly (Prince Albert Raiders), Brett Kulak (Vancouver Giants)

DALLAS STARS (4)

Jamie Benn (Kelowna Rockets), Tyler Myers (Kelowna Rockets), Alexander Petrovic (Red Deer Rebels), Sam Steel (Regina Pats)

EDMONTON OILERS (7)

Colton Dach (Seattle Thunderbirds), Leon Draisaitl (Kelowna Rockets), Connor Ingram (Kamloops Blazers), Tristan Jarry (Edmonton Oil Kings), Curtis Lazar (Edmonton Oil Kings), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels), Matt Savoie (Moose Jaw Warriors)

LOS ANGELES KINGS (2)

Joel Edmundson (Kamloops Blazers), Darcy Kuemper (Red Deer Rebels)

MINNESOTA WILD (2)

Daemon Hunt (Moose Jaw Warriors), Jared Spurgeon (Spokane Chiefs)

MONTREAL CANADIENS (3)

Kirby Dach (Saskatoon Blades), Brendan Gallagher (Vancouver Giants), Kaiden Guhle (Edmonton Oil Kings)

OTTAWA SENATORS (4)

Dylan Cozens (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Ridly Greig (Brandon Wheat Kings), James Reimer (Red Deer Rebels), Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (3)

Rodrigo Abols (Portland Winterhawks), Noah Juulsen (Everett Silvertips), Travis Sanheim (Calgary Hitmen)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (5)

Connor Dewar (Everett Silvertips), Caleb Jones (Portland Winterhawks), Ben Kindel (Calgary Hitmen), Stuart Skinner (Swift Current Broncos), Parker Wotherspoon (Tri-City Americans)

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (4)

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland Winterhawks), Gage Goncalves (Everett Silvertips), Brandon Hagel (Red Deer Rebels), Brayden Point (Moose Jaw Warriors)

UTAH MAMMOTH (2)

Dylan Guenther (Seattle Thunderbirds), Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (10)

Carter Hart (Everett Silvertips), Adin Hill (Portland Winterhawks), Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors), Keegan Kolesar (Seattle Thunderbirds), Kaedan Korczak (Kelowna Rockets), Brayden McNabb (Kootenay ICE), Akira Schmid (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Colton Sissons (Kelowna Rockets), Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings), Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds)

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.

“We are excited to acquire Jonas’ rights,” stated T-Birds General Manager Bil LaForge. “We feel he has the ability to add to our strong group going into next season.” 

The 2008-born Kemps is listed at 6’6”, 196 lbs. and hails from Sebastopol, California.  He was originally listed by Tri-City in May of 2023. NHL Central Scouting ranks him 67th  among North American skaters for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.  

The Thunderbirds are sending a 2029 seventh round pick and a conditional 2029 third round selection to Tri-City as part of the deal.  The third round pick is conditional on Kemps, a Michigan State commit, signing with the T-Birds. 

“We will begin the recruitment process with Jonas and his family in the very near future,” said LaForge.

Meanwhile, LaForge and his staff are busy preparing for the WHL Prospects Draft which takes place in early May.  The T-Birds hold the eleventh pick in the first round.  

Prince Albert will host Games 1 and 2 on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, respectively, before the series shifts to Medicine Hat for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 28.

The Raiders and Tigers both punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Championship by sweeping their respective second-round series.

Prince Albert made quick work of the Saskatoon Blades, completing a four-game sweep Wednesday, April 15.

Medicine Hat took care of the Calgary Hitmen, wrapping up a four-game run Wednesday, April 15.

The two beasts from the east split their four-game regular season series down the middle, which each Club winning two games. The Tigers claimed the first two games of the season set, claiming 3-2 and 7-1 victories on November 29 and December 3, respectively. The Raiders secured the final two contests, beating Medicine Hat by scores of 8-5 and 5-1 on January 17 and January 24, respectively.

Jonas Woo, who was ranked 179th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, the Tigers in scoring against the Raiders this regular season, tallying six points (3G-3A) in four games. Fellow 2026 NHL Draft eligible Markus Ruck, who is ranked 23rd among North American skaters, also registered six points (1G-5A) in four games.

San Jose Sharks prospect Max Heise recorded seven points (4G-3A) in four games for the Raiders, while Dallas Stars prospect Brandon Gorzynski played a season high seven games against the Medicine Hat – two as a member of the Raiders and five as a member of the Calgary Hitmen. Gorzynski collected six points (3G-3A) over his seven outings.

Between the pipes, 2026 NHL Draft eligible netminder Michal Orsulak went 2-2-0-0 with a 3.94 goals-against average and .876 save percentage for the Raiders, while Jordan Switzer went 2-2-0-0 with a 3.52 GAA and .870 SV% for the Tigers.

The two teams last met during the second round of the 2025 WHL Playoffs, with Medicine Hat sweeping Prince Albert in four games en route to winning the 2025 WHL Championship.

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League heads into the 2026 NHL Draft as the No. 1 development league in North America, with four of the top five skaters and 80 total players ranked by NHL Central Scouting.

NHL Central Scouting unveiled its Final Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft on Thursday morning. The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled to be held June 26-27 in Buffalo, N.Y.

“While a lot has changed in hockey’s development landscape, the WHL has further solidified itself as the best environment for players to be developed, scouted, and then drafted to the NHL,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “With four of the top five skaters having developed in the WHL, and nearly a 20-per-cent increase in the players ranked by NHL Central Scouting, the WHL is once again reinforced as an exceptional path to professional hockey.”

Across the member Leagues of the Canadian Hockey League, including the WHL, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, a total of 197 players are ranked among the 261 players identified by NHL Central Scouting. This reinforces the CHL Member Leagues as the top development path for junior hockey players, with 75.5 per cent of North American-ranked players coming from the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL.

Four of the top five ranked North American skaters developed in the WHL, including Medicine Hat Tigers alumnus Gavin McKenna (first) and Prince George Cougars defenceman Carson Carels (third), Victoria Royals alumnus Keaton Verhoeff (fourth), and Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph (fifth).

NHL Central Scouting’s top 32 North American skaters features 12 players developed in the WHL, including JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers, Ryan Lin of the Vancouver Giants, Liam Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Ben MacBeath of the Calgary Hitmen, Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers, Chase Harrington of the Spokane Chiefs, Jakub Vanecek of the Tri-City Americans, and Mathis Preston of the Vancouver Giants.

Five WHL netminders rank among the top 10 goaltenders in North America, including Michal Orsulak of the Prince Albert Raiders, Filip Ruzicka of the Brandon Wheat Kings, Marek Sklenicka of the Seattle Thunderbirds, Tobias Tvrznik of the Wenatchee Wild, and Harrison Boettiger of the Kelowna Rockets.

Of the 80 players developed in the WHL to be identified by NHL Central Scouting, 47 are forwards, 24 are defencemen, and nine are goaltenders.

In total, NHL Central Scouting has identified 224 skaters and 37 goaltenders from North America, with 75.5 per cent of the list having spent time developing in the member Leagues of the CHL. The WHL accounts for 30.7 per cent of the North American list, while the OHL follows at 29.1 per cent and the QMJHL contributes 15.7 per cent.

In 2025, the WHL accounted for 67 players on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings. The rise from 67 players in 2025 to 80 players in 2026 represents an increase of 19.4 per cent.

Of the WHL’s 23 Clubs, 22 are represented in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings, led by the Medicine Hat Tigers, who boast nine players. The Prince Albert Raiders follow closely with seven players ranked by NHL Central Scouting. The Edmonton Oil Kings and Portland Winterhawks both boast six players, while the Calgary Hitmen, Prince George Cougars, and Vancouver Giants all have five players ranked by NHL Central Scouting.

NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings features 197 players developed in the member Leagues of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), including 76 from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and 41 from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Currently in its 51st year of operation, NHL Central Scouting provides evaluation and scouting of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Group Vice President Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time scouts throughout North America.

Full rankings are available on NHL.com.

2025-26 NHL Central Scouting – Final Rankings – WHL Skaters

* = Played 2025-26 in NCAA

2025-26 NHL Central Scouting – Final Rankings – WHL Goaltenders

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.