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2026 NHL Draft Profile | Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:40:26 +0000

The Ruck twins say they haven't spent more than a day apart in their lives. It was no different when they got a call from Medicine Hat Tigers General Manager and Head Coach Willie Desjardins back in April to talk about the finalists for the WHL's Player of the Year award. "Willie called me and Liam at home, and he said (Captain Bryce) Pickford got one of the nominations, and one of us got the other one, and he made us guess who got it," Markus chuckled. "Then he said he's just kidding, and we both got it. That was pretty funny. Put a little pressure on us, but no, that was awesome." "Playing with a guy your whole life and growing up with him, it's pretty cool to move up the ranks with him," Liam added. "Even for Picks, he had a bit of a slower development path, and seeing what he's doing now, it's unbelievable. To be nominated with those guys, it was unreal." While Pickford, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, would ultimately take home the award, embarking on their NHL Draft year together has been the real prize for the Rucks. The Tigers followed up their 2025 WHL Championship with a 50-win campaign and even reached Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championship- thanks in large part to the efforts of the twins from Osoyoos, B.C. The mirror twins (Liam shoots right, Markus left) finished first and second in the WHL regular-season scoring race. Liam was the runner-up with a 104-point (45G-59A) run and also tied for second in goals. His 45 markers included a hat trick, eight multi-goal games, and 10 game-winning strikes. It's a promising step forward for the 5-foot-11, 175-pound winger, who led all rookie skaters with 25 goals in 2024-25 before putting forward 10 points (6G-4A) in 18 playoff games to help the Tabbies clinch the Ed Chynoweth Cup. "It's nice having a bigger role," Liam said of his breakout year. "It's lots of fun and knowing you have that pressure, it's nice to deal with. I think the back half of the year, we just kind of enjoyed it. It's just been lots of fun coming to the rink with all these guys and I think that's the biggest part of why our success is kind of, kind of gotten a lot better here." Liam represented the Tigers at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored for Team East in a 5-4 overtime win. He's ranked 20th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency's final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, while Markus is right behind at 23rd. "He's the guy you want to have the puck on his stick when the game is on the line," NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. "He's got the offensive tools, just those offensive instincts, and he seems to know how to get open and get those types of shots. These are hard players to try to figure out how their game might translate to the NHL level. But, you know, you are talking about a Seth Jarvis, Brayden Point, Jordan Kyrou type of player." Liam and Markus have taken interviews with NHL teams together and individually. While they're not getting their hopes up, they'd love to be picked by the same team- much like the Sedin brothers, who their Tigers bench boss coached for several years. "You see how competitive they are with each other," Desjardins said of the Rucks. "The Sedins are so competitive with each other, and that's why they got to be so good, because they must have pushed each other so hard when they were young, but at the same time, they have each other's backs all the time. And, you know, they're just great to watch when they're together. Maybe Liam's a little bit more of a goal scorer, Markus, maybe a little bit more of a playmaker, but both are great defensively. They're our key guys when we're up by a goal or on the penalty kill. They're both really good defensively and great with structure." Now, the Rucks are playing the waiting game as they prepare for the Draft. Round 1 goes Friday, June 26, 2026, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., with Round 2-7 following on June 27.

Warriors, Winterhawks complete trade involving blueliner Griffin Darby

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:10:48 +0000

Moose Jaw, Sask. - The Moose Jaw Warriors have acquired 17-year-old defenceman Griffin Darby (2008) from the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for a 2027 CHL Import Draft first-round pick, a 2027 fifth-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2028 sixth-round pick. “Adding Griffin gives us more depth on our blue line. Griffin makes a good first pass, plays a good two-way game, and can play against top players,” said General Manager Jason Ripplinger. “He will bring experience, character, and leadership to our dressing room.” Darby (6’0, 176lbs) was originally a first-round pick of the Winterhawks at the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. In 110 games with the Winterhawks over the last two seasons, Darby has recorded two goals, 20 points, and 62 penalty minutes. Originally from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Darby notched his first WHL goal on February 12, 2026, when the Winterhawks hosted the Victoria Royals. With the Swift Current Legionnaires in the 2023-24 season, Darby notched four goals and 25 points through 39 games. In the 2022-2023 season, Darby led the Swift Current U15 AA Broncos defencemen with six goals and 35 points through 28 games. Season tickets for the 2026/2027 season are on sale now at the Warriors Business Office or online.

2026 NHL Draft Profile | JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 20:04:24 +0000

In a season filled with highlight reel goals, sensational comebacks, draft hype and showcase events, JP Hurlbert's first WHL game is still the moment he holds closest to his heart. A season-opening hat trick set the tone for the Allen, Texas product's monster campaign- and even saw him earn a new nickname. "On the third goal, he (the announcer) just goes over the broadcast and calls it the Texas Tornado in front of the whole building, and it just kind of stuck," Hurlbert smiled. As he prepares to take the next step at the NHL Draft, the Texas Tornado looks back on his WHL whirlwind fondly. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward piled up 42 goals (including four game-winners, three hat tricks and nine multi-goal games) and 55 assists for 97 points in 68 games, ranking fourth among all WHL skaters in points and goals. The Blazers alternate captain was crowned the winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year and was also named a finalist for Player of the Year, while helping Kamloops lock up a playoff berth. "His instincts are exceptional," Blazers General Manager and Head Coach Shaun Clouston said. "His offensive instincts, his anticipation, timing on breakouts, on transition, on attacks. I think he took some pretty big steps with the structure of the game. I think a lot of high-end players need a little bit more structure. We've been really fortunate here because we can talk about (Emmitt) Finnie, we can talk about (Fraser) Minten, and we can talk about (Connor) Zary and (Logan) Stankoven, but I think all those guys, they embraced that element, and I think to get to the highest level, you need to have some of that. There's very few players left, if any, that can just kind of go out there and do whatever they want and free-wheel, because it is a team game. I think JP got better in the D-zone, took a step there, and then there's the attack part of the game that he was really, really good at." Beyond regular-season play, Hurlbert was named an alternate captain for the CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, where he lit the lamp once. He also wore an 'A' for Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he tallied on the powerplay to force overtime, where the East ultimately prevailed on a Daxon Rudolph strike. There was growth off the ice, too, as Hurlbert forged new friendships through road trips, mini stick battles, and even weekly horror movie showings with his billet brother, Ty Bonkowski. His ebullient personality was a big part of why he was named an alternate captain for the Blazers before even suiting up for his first game. Keep in mind, this is all happening while he helped pave a new path for top American players looking to the WHL with recent college eligibility changes. "Playing a lot more games and playing a pro schedule has been a huge impact," Hurlbert said of the switch to the Dub. "Getting to learn how to deal with that, the travel aspect, and just the game itself. The WHL is so fast, so high-paced, so much talent, so learning how to use your strengths to your advantage, and you know, use it to outsmart some people... You just look at recent drafts and it's the best place in the world to go to the NHL each night you're facing a new challenge, a new task, you know, every team's different, and I think it just develops you." Hurlbert is ranked 12th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency's final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. He also attended the 2026 NHL Combine to participate in fitness testing (he gained roughly 10 pounds from training camp in September to the June combine) and meet with NHL teams. While more Texans have started to make a name for themselves at the NHL level in recent years, it's still fairly untrodden territory. Dating back to 1986, when full NHL Draft state breakdowns are last available, 30 Texas-born players have heard their names called at the draft. Twelve of them (including Portland Winterhawks graduates Seth and Caleb Jones and Kelowna Rockets defender Tyler Myers) have gone on to play in the NHL. Hurlbert hopes he'll be the next to join their ranks. "You really want to be walking across that stage representing an NHL club," Hurlbert said. "It'd mean the world. It's been a lifelong dream, and you know, for it to be so close, it's kind of scary, but so exciting at the same time. I just think about all the people who have helped me along the way- my family, my advisors, my teammates. So I think it'll be a pretty special moment, personally, especially since it's not as common for Texans to get selected in the NHL draft." Hurlbert has also planned to pay tribute to the Blazers and other impactful parts of his hockey journey with his draft day suit. "I really do love Kamloops," Hurlbert added. "I think it's such a beautiful spot, such a great team and staff, and it's just like one big family." Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft begins on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Rounds 2-7 to follow on June 27.

Sasktoon Blades sign Teagan Dernisky to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:59:23 +0000

Saskatoon, Sask – The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the signing of 2011-born forward Teagan Dernisky to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreement. The 5-foot-7 winger was Saskatoon's first selection in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft at 15th overall in the first round. "Teagan attacks the game every time he's on the ice and inserts himself fully and willingly into the guts of the game in all areas," said Blades director of scouting, Dan Tencer, "His speed and tenacity heighten the impact of his high skill level and offensive creativity, and through the season he demonstrated his ability to play in tandem with other elite players but also be the driver when tasked with carrying a line. We think he's an ideal fit for how we like to play the game and fits with our already strong group of 2009 and 2010 prospects." The Delta, BC native led the U15 Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) in scoring with 43 goals and 55 assists for 98 points in 30 games. Dernisky continued his scoring ways in three postseason games with a trio of goals and assists for six points. The 5-foot-7 speedster was an animal in tournament play during the 2025-26 season. In six games at the 2026 John Reid Memorial Tournament, the left-handed sniper scored five goals and six assists for 11 points. Dernisky dropped three goals and three assists in four games with Team Red at the 2026 BC U16 Cup. The Blades would like to welcome the Dernisky family into the organization and community, and look forward to working with Teagan to help achieve his goals under the guidance of Dan DaSilva's coaching staff.

2026 NHL Draft Profile | Ryan Lin, Vancouver Giants

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:58:23 +0000

In the Lin household in Richmond, B.C., there's a special hockey stick hanging on the wall that's adorned with a mounting number of medals and awards. Its owner, Ryan Lin, has to admit, the load is getting pretty heavy. His accolades don't tell the whole story of the 18-year-old's hockey journey, but it certainly paints a picture of how much he's already achieved- and how hard he's willing to work for more. "Two highlights so far in my career have been winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the U17s and U18s last year," Lin said. "They're both just such good groups and like, for those two weeks, that was a lot of fun. It's probably the most fun I've had playing hockey, and then to cap it off with the gold medal for our country." In addition to those 2024-25 gold medals, Lin also owns a bronze from the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and paced all defencemen at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship with six points (1G-5A) in five games. But as the stages get bigger, he's never forgotten where he started. Lin grew up attending Vancouver Giants games and idolized his older brother, Teo. He even started his career as a forward, just like Teo. While the position didn't stick, Lin has gotten to live out his childhood dream after being drafted by his hometown Giants with the sixth overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The right-shot defender broke into the league with a 53-point (5G-48A) campaign in 2024-25, joining exceptional status defender Landon DuPont as the first rookie WHL defencemen aged 16 or younger to surpass 50 points since Hockey Hall-of-Famer and Kamloops Blazers legend Scott Niedermayer pulled it off in 1989-90. Despite seeing his sophomore season shortened by injury, Lin followed it up with a tremendous 57 points (14G-43A) in 53 games in 2025-26, nearly tripling his goal output, averaging more than a point per game and establishing himself as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. Lin was named an alternate captain for Team CHL at the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, which saw top draft-eligibles from around the CHL take on the U.S. National Team Development Program in November. He most certainly would have been a headlining player at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game in February, had he not been sidelined by a wrist injury. Despite not getting to showcase his game at that event, Vancouver Giants coaching staff say the adversity showcased Lin's mental strength and determination. "He would come in from the workouts with Pav (Pavel Dhah), our strength and conditioning coach, and he would be drenched," Giants assistant coach Wacey Rabbit recalled. "He'd always be on the bike, or he'd be doing something, and if not, he was watching practice, and he wasn't just watching to hang out, he was actually watching what we were doing, and so when he was ready, it was almost seamless to step into our lineup. That's the reason why he was our captain." What the 5-foot-11, 180-pound rearguard lacks in size, he makes up for in snarl. "I just make up for it in other areas," Lin shrugged. "I think my skating helps me, like, if I have a big forechecker come down on me, I think I can evade and make a move or do whatever I need to do to get around them. I don't think it's a disadvantage. I just think my other areas of my game are enhanced because of it. I'd say relentless would be a good one. I think everywhere on the ice, I work hard and do the right things for our team, and then individually, I think I can create a lot of offense for our team." For his part, Rabbit believes Lin has what it takes to thrive in a new-wave class of NHL defencemen under 6-feet tall that features players like two-time WHL Defenceman of the Year Olen Zellweger, Lane Hutson and Quinn Hughes, among others. After all, Rabbit has seen Lin take on more than his fair share of hulking opponents in the WHL- and even sees shades of 2026 Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski in Lin's game. "He's a breakout machine," Rabbit said. "They had some guys with some size, and he's so good with his angles that they run out of real estate, and going back, (he's) separating the man from the puck. He doesn't have a problem boxing out. He's very strong for his size... I've seen him put some guys on their back that are a little bit bigger than him. "He picks his spots, and if it doesn't work out, he's always the first guy back ready to defend and taking on those line rushes, so I think he's the perfect defenceman for today's NHL." NHL Central Scouting has ranked Lin 16th among all North American skaters heading into the 2026 NHL Draft. He's projected to become one of the highest-drafted Giants defencemen in franchise history. Lin was also among the prospects invited to the annual NHL Combine in Buffalo, N.Y., where he posted top-10 finishes in four of the 15 events (10-metre sprint, no arm jump, vertical jump and bench press power) and met with various team brass. "I'm grateful that it's all happening and that I'm in this situation to do all this stuff," Lin added. "Not many 17, 18-year-olds get to go through stuff like this. My parents said it only happens once, so you've kind of got to enjoy it- don't get too stuck up on it, though." The 2026 NHL Draft begins with Round One on Friday, June 26, at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Round 2-7 following on Saturday, June 27.

Spokane Chiefs ink first-round selection Jack Arnold to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:12:14 +0000

Spokane, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs are proud to announce that 2011-born forward Jack Arnold has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. The 6’3”, 170 lb Arnold was the first American taken in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft when he was drafted by the Spokane Chiefs 16th overall in early May. “Jack is a big, athletic and skilled power forward with elite-level work ethic on and off the ice. He is skilled in his playmaking with a powerful and accurate shot. He is an enthusiastic and driven individual who we feel is just scratching the surface of what he can become as a hockey player and we cannot wait to help him with his development in Spokane,” said Spokane Chiefs Assistant General Manager George Ross. Playing for the Dallas Stars Elite 14 club last season, Arnold had 32 goals and 60 points in 51 games.  Arnold recorded three points in three games at the US 14U Nationals and eight points in five games at the U15 Toronto Exposure Cup. “Getting drafted by the Chiefs is a dream come true, and I’m super thankful for the opportunity to join the Chiefs organization,” Arnold said. “I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches, and everybody who has supported me throughout my journey. I’m super excited for what’s ahead and ready to get to work.” Arnold, from Dallas, Texas, is first able to join the team as a full-time player during the 2027-28 season. Spokane Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley on what Arnold can bring to the team, “Jack is an exciting player who brings excellent size, compete, and an all-around complete game who we believe will be a key contributor to our team and one who is hard to play against. We are excited to welcome Jack and his family to the Chiefs organization.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Western Hockey League mourns passing of Herman Elfring, former Governor of Lethbridge Hurricanes

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:22:10 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Herman Elfring, former Governor, President, and member of the Board of Directors of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Elfring passed earlier this week at the age of 76.

For over 23 seasons, Elfring was vital to the success of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, serving in many roles. From 1995 to 1999, Elfring was President of the Club, overseeing the Hurricanes run to the 1997 WHL Championship.

From 1994 through 2017, Elfring served as Governor of the Hurricanes. In his role on the WHL Board of Governors, he contributed for 10 years as a member of the finance committee.

Elfring’s impact on the Hurricanes and the community of Lethbridge was so profound, the Club has named its annual Community Relations Award after him. The Herman Elfring Community Relations Award is presented annually to a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes who best exemplifies a high commitment and contribution to the Lethbridge community.

Not only was Elfring celebrated for his contributions to Lethbridge, but he was also recognized for the efforts he made to support the betterment of the WHL. In 2017, Elfring was named recipient of the WHL Distinguished Service Award. Introduced in 2004, the WHL Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to the individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of WHL franchises, and in doing so, have made an extraordinary contribution to the Club and League levels over an extended period.

In 2025, Elfring was inducted into the Lethbridge Hurricanes Wall of Honour, becoming the eighth member enshrined in the Builder’s Category.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Herman’s wife Carla, his children, grandchildren, extended family, and all of his friends during this difficult time.

2026 NHL Draft Profile | Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:02:48 +0000

Daxon Rudolph is more than familiar with carrying the weight of being a top draft pick. The Lacombe, Alta. product was called first overall in the WHL Prospects Draft by the Prince Albert Raiders back in 2023, joining the ranks of players like Connor Bedard, Matthew Savoie, Dylan Guenther, and, more recently, projected top NHL Draft picks Gavin McKenna and Landon DuPont. Needless to say, expectations have been high for the young man in Hockeytown North. "Being a first overall pick, it comes with a little bit of pressure," Rudolph admits. "But I mean, at the end of the day, hockey is fun, and we're all playing the game we love, so you try not to think about it. Once that puck drops, you're just playing the game you love and trying to do it to the best of your ability." The 6-foot-2, 205-pound, right-shot defenceman hasn't just brought his best- he's consistently been one of the best across the WHL. Rudolph's sophomore season saw him earn an 'A' before pumping out 28 goals and 78 points in 68 games to help the Raiders secure a 52-win season and a second consecutive East Division title while playing his way into the history books. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2001526917594275899 He ranked third in goals and points among all WHL blueliners. In addition to being named a finalist for WHL Defenceman of the Year (he was also a finalist for Scholastic Player of the Year in 2025) and making the Eastern Conference First All-Star Team, Rudolph set a franchise record for powerplay goals by a defenceman (13) while tying Raiders legend and current Winnipeg Jets alternate captain Josh Morrissey's record for single-season goals by a Prince Albert rearguard. "I honestly didn't know if I was going to get there," Rudolph added. "It was a kind of becoming news near the second half of the year when I was getting close, but just to hear a guy like that... He's obviously had such a great NHL career and been at the Olympics, Four Nations, things like that. So it's super special, and the stuff that he did here, it's awesome. To be able to tie that record was definitely a cool moment, and something I'll definitely remember forever." And that was just the regular season. At the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, Rudolph logged two helpers before captaining Team East to a 5-4 win at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored the overtime winner. The 18-year-old did some of his finest work in the playoffs, where he put up a whopping 27 points (9G-18A) in 19 games to reach the WHL Championship Series. https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/2038084848263500179 Rudolph tied Seattle Kraken prospect and Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen for the postseason scoring lead and tied for second in game-winning goals with three. "His offensive ability is one thing," Raiders bench boss and 2026 WHL Coach of the Year finalist Ryan McDonald said. "The way he can make reads, the way he makes plays, the way he gets his shots through the net, the way he creates time and space offensively. Then you flip to the defensive side- how he defends his stick, how he closes, how he communicates, how he gets in front of pucks again, how he continues to get pucks going north in a real hurry in a transition situation. Very hard pressed to look at him and only think he's 17 years old or just, you know, turning 18. He's mature beyond his years, and his leadership skills and his qualities and his care for his teammates are something that are just truly special." Those are the qualities that made him a first-overall pick at 15 in major junior. Now, he's expected to go in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Rudolph is ranked fifth among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency's final rankings and recently participated in the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine alongside 89 of the top prospects from around the world. In a draft class that has showcased a particularly talented crop of defencemen, Rudolph has done all he can to set himself apart. "He plays a unique game in this draft class," NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. " He's got the ability to drive the offence, generate offence and finish, and he does it while making it look like it's easy. He's such an effortless skater. And you know, he's thick from top to bottom. And I'm not saying in a way where he's heavy, he's just solid. So he's already a good physical package, and he's got all the offensive tools." Now, it's time to see which NHL team thinks Rudolph has the right tools to build a Stanley Cup contender. Round One of the 2026 NHL Draft is set for Friday, June 26, at the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, N.Y.

Chiefs sign forward Brody Antignani to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:58:41 +0000

WHL represented with nine finalists for 2026 CHL Awards

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:48:54 +0000

Nineteen CHL clubs represented among 2026 finalists, led by historic seasons from Bryce Pickford, Tommy Bleyl, Nikita Klepov, and Maxim Massé

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce the finalists for its 10 major awards for the 2025-26 season, with the complete list of finalists available below. Winners will be honoured at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, taking place Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award are determined by the winners of the corresponding honours presented by the CHL’s three Member Leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL.

Four players enter the 2026 CHL Awards with multiple nominations after seasons that rewrote record books across the CHL. Bryce Pickford of the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) is a finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Defenceman of the Year Award after scoring 45 goals — the most by a CHL defenceman in nearly 40 years. The Montreal Canadiens prospect is the first defenceman to be named a finalist for the CHL’s top individual honour since Ryan Ellis (Windsor Spitfires / OHL) in 2010-11. If selected, Pickford would become just the fifth defenceman to win the award and the first since Ellis.

Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) is also nominated twice, earning finalist recognition for both CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year after setting a new QMJHL record for points by a rookie defenceman with 81. The 2026 NHL Draft prospect also became just the second player in QMJHL history to win both the league’s Rookie of the Year and Defenceman of the Year honours in the same season, joining Dmitry Kulikov (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL), who accomplished the feat in 2008-09. Should Bleyl capture both CHL awards, he would become the first player in CHL history to win CHL Rookie of the Year and CHL Defenceman of the Year in the same season.

Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) and Maxim Massé of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) round out the group of multi-award finalists. Klepov, a 2026 NHL Draft prospect nominated for both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL Top Scorer Award, became the first rookie to lead a CHL Member League in scoring since Patrick Kane did so with the London Knights in 2006-07 — a feat achieved by only one other rookie since 2000, Sidney Crosby with the Rimouski Océanic in 2003-04. Massé, an Anaheim Ducks prospect and finalist for both the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award and CHL Top Scorer Award, captured the QMJHL scoring title with 102 points and was one of only two CHL players to surpass both the 50-goal and 100-point marks this season.

Some of the other compelling storylines to watch heading into the 2026 CHL Awards include:

Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers led the entire CHL with 108 points, while his twin brother Liam finished second with 104, making them the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season.
This year marks the first time in CHL history that all three Member League Rookie of the Year recipients are U.S.-born players, with JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers (WHL), Klepov (OHL), and Bleyl (QMJHL) all nominated for CHL Rookie of the Year.
Should Bleyl be named CHL Rookie of the Year, he would become just the fourth defenceman to receive the honour, joining Philippe Boucher (Granby Bisons / QMJHL, 1990-91), Bryan Berard (Detroit Jr. Red Wings / OHL, 1994-95), and Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / WHL, 2024-25), who captured the award last season.
Massé, the CHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23, could become just the sixth player in CHL history to win both CHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award over the course of his career, joining Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, Alex DeBrincat, Alexis Lafrenière, and Gavin McKenna.
Sam O’Reilly of the Kitchener Rangers enters the ceremony as a finalist for the CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award following a remarkable campaign in which he was named OHL regular-season MVP, OHL Playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup MVP while leading Kitchener to a Memorial Cup title. Should he win the CHL’s top individual honour, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect would join Brad Richards and Mitch Marner as the only players to capture CHL Player of the Year after completing that rare MVP sweep in the same season.
Ryder Fetterolf of the Ottawa 67’s is a finalist for CHL Goaltender of the Year after leading the CHL with a .923 save percentage, posting a CHL-best 2.07 goals-against average, and setting a new OHL rookie record with six shutouts. If selected, the 2026 NHL Draft prospect would become only the second rookie goaltender to win the CHL Goaltender of the Year Award — and the first in 31 years — following Martin Biron of the Beauport Harfangs (QMJHL) in 1994-95.
Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips is nominated for the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award after guiding Everett to a franchise-record 57-win regular season, the first WHL Championship in club history, the Silvertips’ first Memorial Cup appearance, and their first Memorial Cup Final appearance.
Marcus Kearsey of the Charlottetown Islanders could help make CHL history, as an Islanders win would mark the first time a club has captured the CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award in consecutive seasons. With Kearsey earning his second nomination for this CHL honour in the last three seasons, a Charlottetown Islanders player has now represented the QMJHL as a finalist for the award in four of the last five seasons, including each of the last three.

Presented annually, the CHL Awards celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of players from across the CHL, with 10 trophies presented based on individual performances.

For more information on each award and its three finalists, please visit chl.ca/tag/chl-awards.

David Branch Player of the Year Award Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Sam O’Reilly (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL David Branch Player of the Year Award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year), the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL Most Outstanding Player), and the Michel-Brière Trophy (QMJHL MVP). The trophy was renamed in 2019-20 in honour of David Branch, who was OHL Commissioner from 1979-2024 and served as CHL President from 1996-2019.

Defenceman of the Year Award Nominees: Bryce Pickford (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Kashawn Aitcheson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (WHL Defenceman of the Year), the Max Kaminsky Trophy (OHL Defenceman of the Year), and the Émile-Bouchard Trophy (QMJHL Defenceman of the Year).

Goaltender of the Year Award Nominees: Joshua Ravensbergen (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Ryder Fetterolf (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Rudy Guimond (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

The CHL Goaltender of the Year Award is given out annually to the top goaltender in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy (WHL Goaltender of the Year), the Jim Rutherford Trophy (OHL Goaltender of the Year), and the Patrick-Roy Trophy (QMJHL Goaltender of the Year).

Rookie of the Year Award Nominees: JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats / QMJHL)

The CHL Rookie of the Year Award is given out annually to the top rookie in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year), the Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year), and the Sidney-Crosby Trophy (QMJHL Rookie of the Year).

Top Scorer Award Nominees: Markus Ruck (Medicine Hat Tigers / WHL), Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL Top Scorer Award is given out annually to the highest-scoring player in the Canadian Hockey League. It was first awarded in 1994. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL Top Scorer), the Eddie Powers Trophy (OHL Top Scorer), and the Jean-Béliveau Trophy (QMJHL Scoring Champion).

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award Nominees: Steve Hamilton (Everett Silvertips / WHL), Dave Cameron (Ottawa 67’s / OHL), Sylvain Favreau (Drummondville Voltigeurs / QMJHL)

Named in recognition of former Ottawa 67’s head coach and CHL all-time wins leader Brian Kilrea, the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is presented annually to one of the winners of the CHL’s Member League coaching honours: the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (WHL Coach of the Year), the Matt Leyden Trophy (OHL Coach of the Year), and the Ron-Lapointe Trophy (QMJHL Coach of the Year).

Top Draft Prospect Award Nominees: Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds / OHL), Maddox Dagenais (Québec Remparts / QMJHL)

The CHL Top Draft Prospect Award is presented annually to the top eligible prospect for the NHL Draft from the Canadian Hockey League. The award was first presented in 1991.

Sportsman of the Year Award Nominees: Braeden Cootes (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts / OHL), Alex Huang (Chicoutimi Saguenéens / QMJHL)

The CHL Sportsman of the Year Award is given out annually to the most sportsmanlike player in the Canadian Hockey League. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy (WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), the William Hanley Trophy (OHL Most Sportsmanlike Player), and the David-Desharnais Trophy (QMJHL Most Sportsmanlike & Effective Player).

Scholastic Player of the Year Award Nominees: Alex Weiermair (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), Nathan Brisson (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL)

The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a Canadian Hockey League player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Daryl K. “Doc” Seaman Memorial Trophy (WHL Scholastic Player of the Year), the Bobby Smith Trophy (OHL Scholastic Player of the Year), and the Marcel-Robert Trophy (QMJHL Scholastic Player of the Year).

Humanitarian of the Year Award Nominees: Shane Smith (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Carson Woodall (Windsor Spitfires / OHL), Marcus Kearsey (Charlottetown Islanders / QMJHL)

The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to the CHL player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community. The winner of this award is chosen from the recipients of the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL Humanitarian of the Year), the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL Humanitarian of the Year), and the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year Award.