Nichols passed away Saturday at the age of 84.

From Paradise Hill, Sask., Nichols made his name as the founder of Gasland Oil – an independent petroleum retailer in Western Canada. He eventually became best known for his role in saving the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers from relocation in the mid-1990s.

In 1996, with the Oilers future at risk, Nichols co-chaired the Friends of the Oilers ticket drive, helping to double the club’s season ticket base. Nichols then assembled a group of 38 local investors to purchase the Oilers for $110 million in 1998, ensuring the franchise would remain in Alberta’s capital.

On June 26, 2006, the Oilers and Edmonton Investors Group reached an agreement with the WHL to launch an expansion franchise for the 2007-08 season.

“After a lengthy process, we are pleased and proud to have WHL hockey return to the capital of Alberta,” Nichols said at the time. “As one of the top development hockey leagues in the world, the WHL is a proven stepping stone for many great hockey players while providing great family entertainment for hockey fans living in Northern Alberta.”

The Edmonton Oil Kings began play in the WHL at the onset of the 2007-08 season, joining the Central Division.

Led by Nichols, the Edmonton Investors Group owned the Oilers and Oil Kings until their sale to Daryl Katz in 2008, which helped to spur the development of Edmonton’s downtown arena, now known as Rogers Place.

“He was a real gentleman, and he had a great love for the game of hockey,” Oil Kings Governor Kevin Lowe said of Nichols to NHL.com.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Cal’s wife Edna, their children Ken and Kristine; their five grandchildren; and his many friends and colleagues.

The trade was announced Saturday afternoon.

The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Kovich, who hails from Richmond, B.C., spent the bulk of the 2025-26 season with the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL), tallying 33 points (15G-18A) in 31 games. He also saw action in seven games with the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

Kovich was listed by the Silvertips on September 1, 2026. In three preseason games with Everett, he has registered one goal and five shots on goal.

Originally selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the fourth round (75th overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Kovich previously appeared in four preseason games with the Rebels in 2024, logging one goal and two shots on goal.

Kovich is expected to dress for the Giants tonight in preseason action when they host the Victoria Royals at Jon Baillie Arena in Port Coquitlam, B.C. (7 p.m. PT).

The 29-year-old product of Imperial, Sask., announced his retirement from hockey via Instagram Friday evening. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Ingram intends to return to school to study psychology.

“Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened,” Ingram wrote on Instagram. “Thanks hockey, I owe ya.”

Prior to embarking on his pro hockey journey, the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Ingram was a two-time WHL All-Star as a member of the Kamloops Blazers.

Ingram’s story is an inspiring one. Unselected in the WHL Draft, he was listed by the Blazers and signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement on August 29, 2014.

He made his WHL debut September 20, 2014, at Kelowna, entering the game in relief of veteran Bolton Pouliot. Ingram recorded his first career WHL victory October 18, 2014, at Seattle, backstopping the Blazers to a 5-4 overtime triumph with a 28-save effort.

Ingram was steady as a rookie, going 21-21-2-3 with a 2.96 goals-against average, .904 save percentage, and three shutouts.

The 2015-16 season saw Ingram emerge as one of the best goaltenders in the WHL, logging a record of 34-15-5-4 with a 2.61 GAA, .922 SV%, and four shutouts. He was named to the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team for his efforts as the Blazers finished fourth in the conference.

Ingram’s impressive campaign put him on the radar for NHL scouts, and the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the third round (88th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Returning to Kamloops for the 2016-17, Ingram was once again vital to the Blazers success, going 26-14-2-2 with a 2.44 GAA, .927 SV%, and five shutouts. For the second consecutive season, Ingram was named to the WHL’s Western Conference Second All-Star Team, helping the Blazers to a fifth-place finish in the conference.

That season, Ingram represented Canada at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping his country claim silver.

The Lightning liked what they saw and signed Ingram to a three-year, entry-level contract on April 4, 2017.  From 2017-18 through 2018-19, Ingram continued his development within the Lightning system.

He eventually got his NHL break with the Nashville Predators, appearing in three contests during the 2021-22 season, going 1-2-0.

Ingram’s first taste of full-time NHL duty arrived in 2022-23 as he joined the Arizona Coyotes. The netminder appeared in 27 outings, going 6-13-8.

On January 25, 2021, Ingram entered the NHL / NHLPA player assistance program, seeking help with what was an undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. He shared his experience in January 2024, as he was in the midst of a career campaign with the Coyotes.

The 2023-24 season saw Ingram take a hold of the Coyotes crease. Over 50 appearances, he went 23-21-3 with a 2.91 GAA, .907 SV%, and six shutouts. Ingram’s story of perseverance earned him recognition as the winner of the NHL’s Bill Masterton Trophy, presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA).

Ingram moved with the Coyotes to Salt Lake City, as the franchise became the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25.

He joined the Edmonton Oilers during the 2025-26 season, appearing in 32 games, going 16-10-3 with a 2.60 GAA, .899 SV%, and two shutouts.

As the curtain closes on Ingram’s inspiring journey, he saw action in 134 NHL games, logging a record of 55-54-18 with a 3.01 GAA, .901 SV%, and nine shutouts. Through 158 career WHL regular season games, Ingram owns a record of 81-50-9-9 with a 2.68 GAA, .918 SV%, and 12 shutouts.

Peterson passed away following a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2002 and went on to found the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

The Nashville Predators announced Peterson’s passing Friday afternoon. He was 68 years old.

“It is with very heavy hearts that we announce today the passing of our friend, co-worker and our forever Nashville Predators family member, Brent Peterson,” read a statement from the Nashville Predators. “True to Brent’s nature, he thought of others before himself up until his passing this morning. Brent loved a good laugh and lived with Parkinson’s for 23 years, facing every day with a smile and a joke, no matter what his battle brought him that day.

“In addition to serving as a beacon to so many involved in the fight against Parkinson’s, Brent served as an inspiration to hundreds of Predators players, coaches, and staff members for nearly 30 years.

“He will always hold a special place in the hearts of our Predators family and all who knew him across hockey and beyond.”

Hailing from Calgary, Alta., Peterson broke into the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings during the 1974-75 season, recording 43 points (17G-26A) in 66 games. The right winger went on to become one of the great WHL players of his era. Following a second season with the Oil Kings, he stayed with the Club as it relocated to Portland and tallied a career high 112 points (34G-78A) in 69 games during the 1976-77 season. Peterson was the first captain in the Portland history of the franchise.

“Brent’s always-positive personality brought joy, smiles, and laughter to everyone he interacted with," read a statement from the Portland Winterhawks. “He loved his family, was passionate about hockey, and deeply cared for everyone.”

Adding another 83 points (33G-50A) in 51 games during the 1977-78 campaign, Peterson set himself up to be selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the first round (12th overall) of the 1978 NHL Draft.

Peterson made the immediate jump to pro hockey and went on to play 620 career NHL games, splitting time with the Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers. He was revered for his defensive responsibility.

Following the 1988-89 season, Peterson retired from the NHL. He jumped straight into coaching, serving as an assistant coach for the Whalers during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons.

In 1991, Peterson returned to the Winterhawks as Associate Coach. He filled that role for two seasons before taking the reins as Head Coach ahead of the 1993-94 season. Peterson spent five campaigns guiding the Winterhawks, culminating in a WHL Championship and Memorial Cup title in 1998. During the 1996-97 season, Peterson was named WHL Coach of the Year after leading the Winterhawks to a record of 46-21-5.

Peterson’s success behind the Winterhawks bench led him back to the NHL, where he joined the Nashville Predators as an assistant coach for the franchise’s inaugural season in 1998-99. He spent six campaigns as an assistant coach before being promoted to Associate Coach in 2003-04. Peterson logged seven more seasons as Associate Coach in Nashville before stepping away from the bench following the 2010-11 season.

Widely regarded as a beloved member of the Predators family, Peterson established the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2009, alongside his wife, Tami. The foundation endeavours to support and enhance the lives of people with Parkinson’s, their care partners and families to achieve their highest possible quality of life through awareness, education, and programs within a caring community.

On February 3, 2012, Peterson was inducted into the Portland Winterhawks Hall of Fame. During the Winterhawks 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025-26, Peterson was named to the Top 50 Winterhawks of All-Time, landing 17th on a list that featured the likes of Ken Yaremchuk, Cam Neely, Ty Rattie, Adam Deadmarsh, Perry Turnbull, and more.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Brent’s wife, Tami, along with his son Brad, daughter Kristin, extended family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Brent.

Melrose passed away Wednesday at the age of 70. He retired from ESPN after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023.

Prior to becoming a star on ESPN’s coverage of the NHL, Melrose got his start in the WHL. Hailing from Kelvington, Sask., Melrose patrolled the blueline for two seasons with the Kamloops Chiefs (1974-75 to 1975-76) before making the jump to pro hockey.

With the Chiefs, Melrose enjoyed a career year in 1975-76, tallying 61 points (12G-49A) in 72 games.

Following 10 seasons of pro hockey, including 300 NHL games played, Melrose retired and moved into coaching. Once again, he got his start in the WHL.

Melrose led the Medicine Hat Tigers during the 1987-88 season, guiding the Club to a record of 44-22-6. From there, Melrose’s Tigers marched through the WHL Playoffs to win their second consecutive WHL Championship before then claiming the Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League champions.

Following his one season in Medicine Hat, Melrose moved behind the bench of the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season, coaching the Club to a record of 33-35-4.

After two seasons as a head coach in the WHL, Melrose once again advanced to the ranks of pro hockey, becoming the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Adirondack Red Wings, where he spent three seasons, culminating in a Calder Cup victory at the conclusion of the 1991-92 campaign.

Melrose ascended to the NHL ranks, spending three seasons as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 1992-93.

In 1994, Melrose was part of ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, contributing to an Emmy Award-winning production. He

He joined ESPN on a full-time basis in 1996, where he would spend the remainder of his career, aside from a 16-game stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2008-09 season.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew Barry.