Miettinen, a 20-year-old product of Helsinki, Finland, recorded six points (2G-4A) as the Silvertips split the opening two games of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound centre posted two points (1G-1A) in Game 1 on Friday, May 8, as the Silvertips dropped a 4-2 decision to the Prince Albert Raiders at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Miettinen splashed his name on the scoresheet 6:07 into the start of the WHL Championship, providing a secondary assist on a first period goal by Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear. Later in the contest, Miettinen converted on a third period power play, pulling the Silvertips within one goal late in the proceedings. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough as Prince Albert iced the game with an empty-net tally moments later.

The following night, Miettinen served as the catalyst in a 6-2 victory, as the Silvertips evened the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. The Kraken prospect recorded four points (1G-3A) and was named second star of the game for his outstanding performance. Miettinen had jump from the opening faceoff, contributing a primary assist on the game’s opening goal by Bear only 3:20 into the proceedings. Before the first period came to a close, Miettinen had connected with Rylan Gould on a great set play on the man advantage, helping the Silvertips jump out to a 3-0 lead. Late in the second period, Miettinen connected with Bear once again, boosting the Silvertips lead to 4-1. To put the icing on the cake, the Finnish power forward hit the back of an empty net with 1:02 to go in regulation, securing the win for the home team.

With 24 points (12G-12A) in 15 games, Miettinen ranks second in WHL Playoffs scoring. His 12 goals lead the entire WHL Playoffs. All season long, he has been the centrepiece of a deadline Silvertips line featuring Bear and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Matias Vanhanen.

Miettinen is in the midst of a five-game point streak, in which he has collected 12 points (4G-8A) dating back to April 25 versus Penticton. Through 15 postseason outings, he has put together eight multipoint efforts.

Selected by the Seattle Kraken in the second round (40th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, the third-year WHL forward enjoyed an incredible season in Everett, notching 76 points (35G-41A) in 52 games. He was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team and finished third in Silvertips scoring.

Originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (30th overall) of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Miettinen has put together 182 points (77G-105A) in 154 career WHL regular season appearances. He has added another 37 points (20G-17A) in 37 WHL Playoff games dating back to 2024.

The best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is tied 1-1 through two games. Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 12, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

Tempo WHL Player of the Week

September 22, 2025: Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors September 29, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers October 6, 2025: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips October 14, 2025: Noah Kosick, Swift Current Broncos October 20, 2025: Kooper Gizowski, Prince George Cougars October 27, 2025: Caden Brown, Regina Pats November 3, 2025: Max Curran, Edmonton Oil Kings November 10, 2025: Luke Mistelbacher, Brandon Wheat Kings November 17, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers November 24, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers December 1, 2025: Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips December 8, 2025: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers December 15, 2025: Joby Baumuller, Brandon Wheat Kings December 22, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs December 29, 2025: Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers January 5, 2026: Lukas Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings January 12, 2026: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers January 19, 2026: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders January 26, 2026: Brandon Gorzynski, Prince Albert Raiders February 2, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets February 9, 2026: Carter Sotheran, Edmonton Oil Kings February 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips February 23, 2026: Owen Martin, Spokane Chiefs March 2, 2026: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips March 9, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets March 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips March 23, 2026: Cameron Schmidt, Seattle Thunderbirds March 30, 2026: Julien Maze, Calgary Hitmen April 6, 2026: Miroslav Holinka, Edmonton Oil Kings April 13, 2026: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars April 20, 2026: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers April 27, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips May 4, 2026: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

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.

Cripps, a 16-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., recorded two points (1G-1A) in two games as the Raiders split the opening two games of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

Friday, May 8, in Game 1 of the WHL Championship, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-shot rearguard tallied a primary assist on a power-play goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes. The marker put Prince Albert in front by a 2-1 score with 4:53 to play in the second period. The Raiders went on to a 4-2 victory.

Saturday, May 9, in Game 2, Cripps hit the back of the net with his first goal of the WHL Championship. With his team trailing 3-0, the rookie blueliner registered a power-play tally 4:24 into the second period, giving the Raiders life. Though Prince Albert wasn’t able to complete the comeback, Cripps finished with an even rating and two shots on goal in the contest.

Through 17 WHL Playoff games, Cripps has secured 19 points (4G-15A) to rank second in rookie scoring, trailing only Matias Vanhanen of the Silvertips (10G-11A–21 points). Heading into Game 3 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series, Cripps is riding a five-game point scoring streak, having tallied six points (1G-5A) along the way.

Widely considered a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft, Cripps enjoyed a great rookie season in the WHL, posting 37 points (6G-31A) in 62 games. He was originally selected by the Raiders in the first round (second overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

The best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is tied 1-1 through two games. Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 12, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild January 5, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees January 12, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees January 19, 2026: Prab Bhathal, Brandon Wheat Kings January 26, 2026: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen February 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips February 9, 2026: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen February 16, 2026: Jonah Sivertson, Prince Albert Raiders February 23, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets March 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips March 9, 2026: Easton Daneault, Lethbridge Hurricanes March 16, 2026: Ben Harvey, Prince Albert Raiders March 23, 2026: Poul Andersen, Red Deer Rebels March 30, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders April 6, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets April 13, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips April 20, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees April 27, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders May 4, 2025: Owen Corkish, Prince Albert Raiders

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.

Miller, a 19-year-old product of Anchorage, Alaska, went 1-1-0-0 with a 2.54 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this past week, helping the Silvertips split the opening two games of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound puckstopper made 22 saves in Game 1 of the WHL Championship as the Silvertips fell by a 4-2 score on Friday, May 8, at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett.

The second-year WHL goaltender helped his team bounce back in Game 2, turning in a 37-save effort as Everett knocked off the Prince Albert Raiders by a 6-2 margin on Saturday, May 9.

Miller has been a steadying presence for the Silvertips throughout the 2026 WHL Playoffs, going 13-1-1-0 with a 1.89 GAA, .934 SV%, and one shutout. He ranks among the WHL leaders in wins (T-1st), GAA (second), and shutouts (T-2nd), and save percentage (third).

On October 13, 2025, the Silvertips acquired Miller from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a pair of picks in the WHL Prospects Draft. Upon landing in Everett, Miller proceeded to go 29-4-0-0 with a 2.12 GAA, .920 SV%, and four shutouts, helping the Silvertips claim a second consecutive Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season champions.

In 58 career WHL regular season appearances split between the Hitmen and Silvertips, Miller owns a record of 44-9-0-2 with a 2.32 GAA, .912 SV%, and five shutouts.

Miller originally signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hitmen on November 19, 2024.

The best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is tied 1-1 through two games. Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 12, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week

September 22, 2025: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals September 29, 2025: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers October 6, 2025: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings October 14, 2025: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades October 20, 2025: Burke Hood, Vancouver Giants October 27, 2025: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees November 3, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen November 10, 2025: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders November 17, 2025: Anders Miller, Everett Silvertips November 24, 2025: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets December 1, 2025: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars December 8, 2025: Matthew Hutchison, Regina Pats December 15, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen December 22, 2025: Marek Sklenicka, Seattle Thunderbirds December 29, 2025: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings January 5, 2026: Xavier Wendt, Tri-City Americans January 12, 2026: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals January 19, 2026: Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs January 26, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees February 2, 2026: Jayden Kraus, Brandon Wheat Kings February 9, 2026: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers February 16, 2026: Grayson Malinoski, Seattle Thunderbirds February 23, 2026: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings March 2, 2026: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings March 9, 2026: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees March 16, 2026: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets March 23, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees March 30, 2026: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets April 6, 2026: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen April 13, 2026: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders April 20, 2026: Josh Banini, Kelowna Rockets April 27, 2026: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers May 4, 2026: Anders Miller, Everett Silvertips

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.

The former Swift Current Broncos standout, Hockey Hall of Famer, and Olympic gold medallist is the highest-ranking Western Hockey League (WHL) player on the CHL’s Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list; full rankings and player bios are available at chl.ca/chl50.

Everett, Wash. – Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen recorded four points, including three assists, as the Everett Silvertips clawed back with a 6-2 victory in Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship presented by Nutrien on Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena.

GAME SUMMARY PLAYOFF STATISTICS

“It was certainly a very important game tonight,” said Steve Hamilton, Head Coach of the Silvertips. “We responded. I liked the directness of the game and how we played. They’re obviously a dangerous team so to get an early lead – I thought they had a pretty strong push in the second period – but we steadied the ship and had a good third [period].

“It was by design what we were trying to accomplish tonight. Guys were definitely dialled into that. There was a directness and a much better net presence than we had 24 hours earlier.”

Once again, the Silvertips showed strong bounce back the night after a loss. To date in the 2025-26 season, Everett has yet to drop back-to-back contests.

Miettinen, who hails from Helsinki, Finland, wasn’t the only NHL drafted prospect to enjoy a big night. Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear struck twice to help the Silvertips even the best-of-seven series after two games.

For the second consecutive night, it was the 19-year-old Bear, a product of West St. Paul, Man., opening the scoring. He found the back of the net 3:20 into the first period, giving Everett another quick start, with the primary helper being credited to the 20-year-old Miettinen. The difference in Game 2 – the Silvertips kept the pedal to the metal. A mere 2:11 later, defenceman Kayd Ruedig tickled twine to extend the advantage to 2-0. With 43 seconds to go in the period, it was veteran forward Rylan Gould striking on the power play and Everett was in front with a commanding 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Once again, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Miettinen registered the primary assist on the play as a near-capacity crowd of 7,987 raised the rafters at Angel of the Winds Arena.

“That was something else tonight,” Miettinen said. “I’ve never heard this place that loud.”

The Raiders weren’t about to pack it in after 20 minutes. 16-year-old defenceman Brock Cripps converted on a power-play opportunity 4:24 into the middle period, getting Prince Albert on the scoreboard.

“The scoreboard said 3-0 after the first period, but there was lots to like about our start,” said Ryan McDonald, Head Coach of the Raiders. “We came out quick, we had some opportunities, had pucks to the middle of the ice and just didn’t get them off our sticks quick enough. Again, we pushed the pace and they came back and capitalized on some of the opportunities they had. We continued to build as the game went on.”

But in a period where the Raiders outshot the Silvertips by a 15-9 margin, it was Everett getting the last laugh as the 6-foot, 177-pound Bear cashed in on a rebound to restore the three-goal cushion with only 46 seconds to go. From the left side, Miettinen sent a shot in on net, with the rebound coming straight out to Bear, who made no mistake to collect his sixth goal of the postseason and third of the WHL Championship.

“It all started in the morning with a fresh mindset,” Bear said. “Everyone came in not down on their self. It’s a fresh day, new day, new game. That was our mindset going into the morning. I love the effort from the group and obviously the result is what we needed.”

Midway through the third period, Raiders captain Justice Christensen registered his second goal in as many nights, wiring a heavy shot past Silvertips netminder Anders Miller to get Prince Albert back within striking distance.

The Silvertips managed to protect the two-goal advantage, adding a pair of empty netters from Miettinen and forward Jesse Heslop to secure the 6-2 win.

In the blue paint, Miller turned in an excellent performance for Everett. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound product of Anchorage, Alaska, made 37 saves to earn his 13th victory of the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

Special teams were a factor once again, with the Silvertips going 2-for-4 on the power play. On the other side, Prince Albert was 1-for-3.

The best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is tied 1-1 through two games. Game 3 of the WHL Championship Series is set for 7:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, May 12, at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

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.

Now, as his Club aims to even the best-of-seven WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien, Miettinen will be relied upon to help shift the balance.

“We’ve just got to find the back of the net,” Miettinen said looking ahead to Game 2. “We played well yesterday [in Game 1], we’ve got to play well today.”

Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is set for Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. PT. Fans can tune in live on TSN and Victory+.

With 20 points (11G-9A) in 14 WHL Playoff games, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound product of Helsinki, Finland, is tied for thing in post-season scoring. He added to his totals during Game 1, registering a goal and an assist, as the Silvertips fell 4-2 to the Prince Albert Raiders.

Miettinen’s late power-play goal was the product of a great individual effort, as the power forward gained the zone on his own, split the defence, and sent a backhand past Raiders netminder Michal Orsulak to make it a 3-2 game late in the third period.

The Silvertips will be looking for more of that from the Kraken prospect in Game 2.

Selected by the Kraken in the second round (40th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Miettinen has been a driving force in Everett all season long. He logged a career high 76 points (35G-41A) in 52 games and was named to the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team for his effort.

“It’s been big,” Miettinen said, reflecting on his season. “It gives me so much confidence knowing that I can score and the guys trust me.”

He’s been a central component on a deadly Silvertips line featuring Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Matias Vanhanen.

“It’s been clicking the whole year,” Miettinen said of his line. “We just play well together, and we know where we are when we’re on the ice. It’s nice to play with them.”

Selected by the Silvertips in the first round (30th overall) of the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Miettinen in his third season in Everett, having collected 182 points (77G-105A) in 154 career regular season games. He has added another 33 points (19G-14A) in 36 games across three postseasons.

Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is set for Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. PT as the Everett Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

The 5-foot-9, 191-pound product of Red Deer, Alta., isn’t short on jam. At 20 years old, the veteran leader is the heartbeat for a Raiders squad intent on claiming a franchise third WHL Championship.

“We’re excited, we thought we played a good game last night and looking to build on that here tonight,” Christensen said prior to Game 2.

“Overall, if we stick to our game and how we like to play, we’ll be alright.”

Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is set for Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. PT. Fans can tune in live on TSN and Victory+.

Friday night, Christensen showed he can do it at both ends of the rink – putting the finishing touches on a great exchange of the puck in the offensive zone to score his second goal of the 2026 WHL Playoffs. The marker stood up as the eventual game-winner in a 4-2 triumph over the Everett Silvertips. He finished the night with a plus-2 rating, proof that he took care of his own end of the rink as well.

“We’re two very similar teams and that’s why the pace is so high,” Christensen said. “The pace we like to play with and the structure that both teams play with makes it a tough series and it’s fast.”

Christensen is a testament to perseverance.

Undrafted into the WHL, he has played four seasons and 263 career regular season contests, amassing 148 points (55G-93A) along the way. In 2026, he is enjoying his best postseason to date, having logged 10 points (2G-8A) and a plus-11 rating in 16 games.

On April 9, 2026, the veteran blueliner signed a two-year AHL contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins – affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. It was important recognition for Christensen’s unrelenting desire to compete.

Now, the task for Christensen and the Raiders is to do something no team done this season – hand the Everett Silvertips a second consecutive loss.

“We know they will come out right from the start and be ready to go and probably give us a good effort,” Christensen said. “We’re prepared for that and on the flip side, we know we have to come out and we have to be ready to go right from the start.”

Game 2 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien is set for Saturday, May 9, at 6 p.m. PT as the Everett Silvertips host the Prince Albert Raiders. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota in Kelowna, B.C., which is scheduled for Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 31.

All seven games of the WHL Championship Series are available in Canada on TSN. Viewers can also stream the entire series globally and for FREE on Victory+.

McLean passed away Friday at the age of 93, following a single car crash in northern B.C.

Hailing from Estevan, Sask., McLean was the longtime coach of the WHL’s Estevan Bruins and New Westminster Bruins.

He got his start in 1957-58 as an assistant coach in Estevan, when the team was still part of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In 1964-65, ‘Punch’ took over as Head Coach, starting a long journey to five WHL Championship, two Memorial Cup titles, and more than 1,000 games coached in the WHL.

No coach in WHL history has won more League titles than McLean’s five. Longtime Kamloops Blazers coach Don Hay is closest with three.

McLean’s WHL career concluded with 1,067 regular season games coached, and a record of 548-429-90. He was behind the bench for another 148 WHL Playoff games, going 87-52-9 along the way.

In 1967-68, McLean guided the Estevan Bruins to the WHL Championship, defeating the Flin Flon Bombers in five games (4-0-1).

Following the 1970-71 season, the Estevan Bruins relocated to New Westminster, where they kept the Bruins moniker. McLean stayed with the team and guided it to its next championship in 1974-75, as the Bruins edged the Saskatoon Blades in a seven-game series.

In 1975-76, McLean led the Bruins to a second straight WHL crown, once again knocking off the Blades in seven games (4-2-1). With an impressive regular season record of 54-14-4, McLean was named WHL Coach of the Year for the first and only time in his career.

The 1976-77 season saw McLean’s Bruins win a third consecutive WHL Championship, defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings in five games. At the 1977 Memorial Cup, hosted at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, McLean and the Bruins took home the most challenging trophy to win in all of hockey – the Memorial Cup. Fuelled by the likes of Barry Beck and Stan Smyl, the Bruins defeated the Ottawa 67’s by a 6-5 score in the tournament finale.

McLean and the Bruins continued their legendary run in 1977-78, winning a fourth straight WHL Championship and second consecutive Memorial Cup. In the 1978 WHL Championship, McLean’s Bruins swept the Billings Bighorns in four games. From there, they advanced to the 1978 Memorial Cup in Sudbury, Ont., where they knocked off the Peterborough Petes by a 7-4 score to once again hoist the most prized trophy in Canadian Major Junior hockey.

McLean would coach the Bruins for three more seasons – 1979-80, 1985-86, and 1986-87.

Outside the WHL, McLean coached Canada’s National Junior Team to a bronze medal at the 1979 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In his later years, he was a fixture at the Langley Events Centre, taking in Vancouver Giants games right through the end of the 2025-26 WHL regular season.

This past week, the Ernie Punch McLean Foundation launched a campaign to build a permanent statue honouring McLean at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster, B.C. McLean was in attendance at the press conference Wednesday, May 6.

On behalf of the WHL and its 23 member Clubs, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to family, friends, and all those who knew Ernie ‘Punch’ McLean.

The disciplinary action is in response to inappropriate remarks made by a member of the Vancouver Giants staff during the broadcast of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft Show on Wednesday, May 6.

“Accountability is a cornerstone value of our League – that includes both players and staff.  In this instance, regardless of intent, the remarks are not reflective of the organization’s standards of respect and inclusion,” commented WHL Commissioner, Dan Near.

The WHL remains committed to holding players and staff to the highest standards of conduct both on and off the ice.

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.