Western Hockey League - Feed

WHL Morning Skate: April 11

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:27:10 +0000

NEED TO KNOW - With a goal and two assists in Game 1 against Saskatoon, Prince Albert's Daxon Rudolph leads all defencemen in postseason points with 10 (4G-6A) in six games - Sixteen-year-old Defenceman of the Year finalist Landon DuPont made a highlight-reel pass to spring Seattle Kraken pick Julius Miettinen for a breakaway beauty to take a 1-0 series lead on Kelowna - After scoring 45 goals in the regular season, Medicine Hat captain Bryce Pickford scored twice, including the OT winner, to down Calgary - Hitmen alternate captain Ethan Moore is the only active skater to score in every game these playoffs - Washington Capitals first-rounder Terik Parascak struck twice to lift Prince George to a 4-1 win over the B.C. Division champion Penticton Vees TOP PERFORMER The accolades and goals just keep piling up for Nokia, Finland's Matias Vanhanen. The 18-year-old scored twice, including the game-winner, to lift the regular-season champion Silvertips to a 1-0 lead over the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets on Friday night. Vanhanen, who is ranked 76th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, broke a second-period stalemate by ramming a Brek Liske rebound past Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger in the third period. He nabbed a secondary assist on his fellow Finn Julius Miettinen's beautiful breakaway insurance marker before putting a cherry on the night with an empty-net goal. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound winger leads Everett in postseason scoring with nine points (5G-4A) in five games. He's registered at least one point in every game, has two game-winning goals, and has only failed to score once. Vanhanen is a finalist for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year and the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy for WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player. RESULTS Kelowna 1, Everett 4 EVT leads 1-0 The Silvertips enjoyed a long break after sweeping Portland in Round One, but they didn't miss a step as they handed the Kelowna Rockets a 4-1 loss to open the second round. The Tips combined for an all-NHL prospect goal for the first strike of the series, with Florida Panthers pick Shea Busch hammering a powerplay one-timer from Seattle Kraken pick Julius Miettinen and 2025 Detroit Red Wings first-rounder Carter Bear. Ty Halaburda, who will close his WHL career with 315 games played, levelled the match just 23 seconds into the second period as the Rockets pressured off the opening faceoff. But Kelowna wouldn't get closer than that, as Vanhanen buried his first goal of the evening four minutes later. 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Landon DuPont made an incredible stretch pass from deep in his own zone to spring Miettinen for a breakaway and insurance marker before Vanhanen closed it up with an empty-netter. Everett held Kelowna to 22 shots and no powerplay goals, despite having five opportunities on the man-advantage. THREE STARS 1- Julius Miettinen, EVT – 1G-1A 2- Matias Vanhanen, EVT – 2G-1A 3- Shea Busch, EVT – 1G Saskatoon 1, Prince Albert 6 PA leads 1-0 The East Division champs bagged three goals in the first period and never looked back. Prince Albert's potent attack saw alternate captain Aiden Oiring twist and turn to evade his check and wrist the game-opener home less than four minutes into Game 1. Projected 2026 NHL first-round pick Daxon Rudolph (NHL CSS: 6) doubled the lead as the young defenceman jumped up into the slot to snap his fourth goal of the postseason past Evan Gardner. The onslaugh continued as Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes blocked a Saskatoon breakout pass to jump up and feed Alisher Sarkenov on a two-on-one rush. Dallas Stars pick Brandon Gorzynski, who scored the series-clincher in overtime against Red Deer in Round One, picked up the lone goal of the second period off another odd-man rush. From there, it was all gravy as Oiring and captain Justice Christensen converted on third-period powerplays just over a minute apart. Draft-eligible Zach Olsen (NHL CSS: 43) spoiled Michal Orsulak's (NHL CSS: 2) shutout bid with a clean redirection on the powerplay. THREE STARS 1- Aiden Oiring, PA – 2G 2- Daxon Rudolph, PA – 1G-2A 3- Justice Christensen, PA – 3A Prince George 4, Penticton 1 PG leads 1-0 For the first time in club history, the Penticton Vees trail in a WHL Playoff series. The Cougars took a bite out of their opponents with a gritty effort at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Jett Lajoie drew first blood after Kooper Gizowski prevented a clearing pass and sent Lajoie streaking to the Vees' net for a quick move. 2024 Washington Capitals first-round pick Terik Parascak made it 2-0 by tipping a Gizowski pass high on the powerplay. The Prince George powerplay is clicking at 55.6% in the playoffs to lead the entire WHL. Lee Shurgot kept the goals flowing in the third by snapping a rebound into a wide-open net after an Aiden Foster between-the-legs attempt. Parascak tallied his second of the night with an empty-netter, but Noah Milford ensured the Vees would get on the board by lighting the lamp with 1:02 left in regulation. THREE STARS 1- Terik Parascak, PG – 2G-1A 2- Joshua Ravensbergen, PG – 34 saves, .971 save percentage 3- Lee Shurgot, PG – 1G-1A Calgary 2, Medicine Hat 3 MH leads 1-0 The goals came in fits and spurts, but Calgary and Medicine Hat delivered a banger in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal. Kade Stengrim put the Tabbies up first after driving the net to rip a pass off the end boards from Jonas Woo home. The celebration was short-lived as Kale Dach tipped a Hunter Aura point shot past Carter Casey less than a minute later. WHL Player of the Year finalist and Montreal Canadiens prospect Bryce Pickford restored the lead by strolling through the high slot and threading a wrister through traffic. But as the clock ticked down, clutch Calgary alternate captain Ethan Moore ensured they'd play on by wheeling around the back of the net and ripping a high shot from a bad angle. Moore scored all four game-winning goals for the Hitmen in their first-round series against Brandon. But in the extra frame, captain Pickford reminded the crowd what a defender who scores like a forward can do. The two-time WHL champ called game after picking up a loose puck in the slot in a mad scramble to fire it glove side. Seventeen-year-old Eric Tu was sensational for Calgary, steering aside 40 shots to sit third among all goaltenders in saves (178) despite playing fewer games than the tenders ahead of him. THREE STARS 1- Bryce Pickford, MH – 2G 2- Carter Casey, MH – 27 saves, .931 save percentage 3- Eric Tu, CGY – 40 saves, .930 save percentage ON TAP

SERIES PREVIEW: Saskatoon Blades vs. Prince Albert Raiders

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:56:47 +0000

For Saskatchewan hockey fans, the only three words sweeter than 'Game 7, overtime' might be 'Raiders versus Blades'. Of course, Game 7 overtime is how the underdogs from Saskatoon have set the stage for a second-round tilt against their bitter foes from Hockeytown North. Saskatoon, which entered the postseason as the sixth seed in the East, took out Edmonton on the road thanks to a timely snipe from veteran Rowan Calvert, while the Eastern Conference-leading Raiders only needed five games to dispatch the Red Deer Rebels- albeit also in overtime, thanks to Dallas Stars prospect Brandon Gorzynski. Prince Albert cruised to a 6-1-1-0 record against the Blades in the regular season, including back-to-back 4-0 shutout wins to close out the campaign. But the playoffs are a whole new game, and the Blades have already shown they're capable of late comebacks and pulling off an upset. The Raiders and Blades both scored 21 goals in Round One. Projected 2026 NHL first-round draft pick Daxon Dudolph and rookie blueliner Brock Cripps paced PA with eight points each- including one game-winner each. Hulking Calgary Flames pick Hunter Laing and 2025 Edmonton Oilers selection David Lewandowski have also netted eight points, with both skaters burying three goals and five assists. The series also boasts a top goaltending matchup, with Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner taking on Michal Orsulak, who is ranked second among all North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting ahead of this year's NHL Draft. Gardner is battle-tested with three overtime games under his belt, plenty of playoff experience, and the most saves of any goaltender in the 2026 WHL Playoffs (217). Orsulak has only lost one match in regulation time dating back to January 10, 2026, and ranks third among all WHL goaltenders in playoff goals-against average with 1.99. He even got the primary assist on Cripps' game-winner in Game 2. On the awards front, Prince Albert has finalists in nearly every category, highlighted by top NHL Draft prospects Rudolph and Orsulak, who are up for Defenceman and Goaltender of the Year, respectively, while making the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team. Cootes is in the running for the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player, Cripps is in the mix for Rookie of the Year, and on the staff front, General Manager Curtis Hunt and Ryan McDonald are finalists for Executive and Coach of the Year. Saskatoon's Gardner has been named a finalist for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy as WHL Humanitarian of the year for a third-straight campaign. The last time these teams tangled in the postseason, Saskatoon was fresh off a 50-win campaign and the 2024 Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular-season champs. While the Raiders proved to be a handful, the Blades moved on in five and eventually reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship. The next chapter in this historic rivalry begins on Friday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. ST at the Art Hauser Centre, before shifting over to the SaskTel Centre for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m. ST. STAT PACK

	Saskatoon Blades	Prince Albert Raiders
Record	34-27-5-2 (3rd East)	52-10-5-1 (First East)
Playoff Leaders	Hunter Laing (3G-5A, 8 pts) David Lewandowski (3G-5A, 8 pts) Rowan Calvert (3G-5A, 8 pts)	Brock Cripps (3G-5A, 8 pts) Daxon Rudolph (3G-4A, 7 pts) Brayden Dube (2G-5A, 7 pts)
Season Leaders	David Lewandowski (17G-48A, 65 pts) Cooper Williams (23G-34A, 57 pts) Hunter Laing (24G-31A, 55 pts)	Daxon Rudolph (28G-50A, 78 pts) Aiden Oiring (28G-41A, 69 pts) Brandon Gorzynski (27G-42A, 69 pts)
Leading Goaltender (Playoffs)	Evan Gardner (4-1-2, 2.53 GAA, .916 save percentage)	Michal Orsulak (4-1-0, 1.99 GAA, .891 save percentage)
Power Play (Playoffs)	18.5% (11th)	25% (8th)
Penalty Kill (Playoffs)	66.7% (15th)	69.2% (14th)
First Round	Def. Edmonton (4-3)	Def. Red Deer (4-1)
Last WHL Championship	-	2019

2025-26 REGULAR SEASON SERIES Prince Albert leads 6-1-1-0

September 19, 2025- Saskatoon 2, Prince Albert 4 September 20, 2025- Prince Albert 2, Saskatoon 3 (OT) December 14, 2025- Prince Albert 5, Saskatoon 4 January 31, 2026- Saskatoon 4, Prince Albert 0 February 1, 2026- Prince Albert 3, Saskatoon 1 February 14, 2026- Saskatoon 4, Prince Albert 5 (SO) March 20, 2026- Saskatoon 0, Prince Albert 4 March 21, 2026- Prince Albert 4, Saskatoon 0

GAME BREAKERS Saskatoon: Six-foot-6 Hunter Laing and stalwart veteran Brayden Dube both enter Game 1 on five-game point streaks. Laing is coming off a second-straight 20-plus goal season and looks to find his scoring touch against the rough-and-tumble Raiders. The Calgary, Alta. product kicked off a second-period outburst against Prince Albert on February 14 to salvage a point in a 5-4 shootout loss. Prince Albert: Twenty-year-old Brayden Dube is in his final run with the team he's played more than 230 regular-season games for. He's netted seven points (2G-5A) in the postseason, including primary assists on two game-winners. The 5-foot-10, 184-pound winger was the top scorer on both teams in the regular season series with five goals in five games- including a two-goal outing in the season finale on March 21. GOALTENDING

Saskatoon: The 'Gard' of the goal brings plenty of spice to go along with his stellar goaltending. The 6-foot-1, 181-pound Gardner knocked out Prince Albert in Round 1 of the 2024 WHL Playoffs as a rookie, and while the wins haven't been there in 2025-26, his numbers have still been solid. The 20-year-old is 1-3-0-0 against the Raiders with a 3.14 GAA and a 9.22 save percentage. However, he's also iced a 36-save shutout against the rival team and had four games in which he surpassed 30 stops, including a 47-save effort in a 3-1 loss. Prince Albert: He may be a WHL rookie, but Michal Orsulak has seen his fair share of high-stakes games. The 19-year-old backstopped Czechia to a silver medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship (yep, he's the goalie who eliminated Canada in the semifinals). Orsulak hasn't seen much of Saskatoon, appearing in just three games against the Blades, but he's done well when called upon. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound netminder is 3-0-0-0 against the Blades with a 1.95 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and a 16-save shutout.

X-FACTOR

Saskatoon: Captain Tyler Pass and 'A' Rowan Calvert are two of the longest-serving Blades in modern franchise history. Both were a part of the powerhouse 2024 team that knocked out the Raiders and came just shy of the Championship Series. Can they climb the mountain in their final playoff run? Calvert came in clutch with the Game 7 overtime winner to eliminate Edmonton, while Parr registered the game-tying goal in Game 5- and dropped the mitts in a heavyweight bout the same night. Calvert led the Blades with seven points (2G-5A) against Prince Albert in the regular season, and Parr added another lamp-lighter. Prince Albert: Rookie Brock Cripps has been playing with the poise of someone much older than his 16 years. Since the end of the regular season, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound defenceman has gotten a nod as a Rookie of the Year finalist and erupted to tie for the team lead in playoff points. Cripps has logged a goal and an assist in eight games against the Blades, but will try to build on his burgeoning game to send Prince Albert to the Eastern Conference Championship.

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game	Visitor		Home	Day	Date	Time
1	Saskatoon	@	Prince Albert	Friday	April 10	7pm ST
2	Saskatoon	@	Prince Albert	Saturday	April 11	7pm ST
3	Prince Albert	@	Saskatoon	Tuesday	April 14	7pm ST
4	Prince Albert	@	Saskatoon	Wednesday	April 15	7pm ST
5*	Saskatoon	@	Prince Albert	Friday	April 17	7pm ST
6*	Prince Albert	@	Saskatoon	Sunday	April 19	4pm ST
7*	Saskatoon	@	Prince Albert	Tuesday	April 21	7pm ST

* = if necessary

Four WHL coaches named to Canada’s staff for 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:23:07 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – Four members of Western Hockey League coaching staffs have been named to Canada’s staff for the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship.

Friday morning, Hockey Canada announced its staff for the U18 championship, including Lethbridge Hurricanes Head Coach Matt Anholt (Prince Albert, Sask.), Moose Jaw Warriors Head Coach Mark O’Leary (Owen Sound, Ont.) Kamloops Blazers Goaltending Coach Dan De Palma (Kamloops, B.C.) and Lethbridge Hurricanes Assistant Coach Ryan Aasman (Medicine Hat, Alta.).

Anholt and O’Leary will serve as assistant coaches alongside Head Coach Drew Bannister (Belleville, Ont.), while De Palma will assume the role of Goaltending Coach and Aasman serves as Video Coach.

“We are thrilled to announce the coaching staff that is tasked with leading Team Canada at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship with the goal of winning a third-straight gold medal,” Millar said. “With Drew’s résumé as a head coach in the National Hockey League, he is poised to be a great leader for our team, and Matt and Mark bring many years of experience in the Canadian Hockey League, as well as in international competition. We are confident in this group’s ability to proudly represent Canada in Slovakia.”

Anholt recently completed his first season as Head Coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes after being named Associate Coach in 2025. He has also served as an assistant coach with Canada Red at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2023 and 2024.

O’Leary is entering his sixth season as Head Coach of the Moose Jaw Warriors after serving as an assistant coach since the 2012-13 season, winning the WHL Championship for the first time in franchise history in 2024. Internationally, he was Head Coach of Canada Black at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and was an assistant coach for Canada Red at the 2018 edition of the tournament. The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship includes:

Athletic therapists Colton Reiley (Sydney, NS/Cape Breton, LHJMQ) and Terence Robertson (Red Deer, AB/Red Deer, WHL)
Team physician Dr. RJ MacKenzie (Albert Bridge, NS/Cape Breton, LHJMQ)
Equipment manager A.J. Murley (St. John’s, NL)
Academic advisor Stacey Meyer (Calgary, AB)
Coordinator of hockey operations Jared Power (Calgary, AB)

Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team will take on Sweden at Ondrej Nepala Arena in Bratislava on April 17 and Czechia at the Pavol Demitra Ice Hockey Arena in Trencin on April 19 in pre-tournament action.

The 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship kicks off on April 22, with Canada taking on Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Finland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 2. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 16 and 10 tournament games, respectively. TSN will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games, while RDS will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, two quarterfinals, the semifinals and medal games.

Four WHL alumni among those ranked No. 50 through No. 41 on CHL Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:22:29 +0000

The Top 50 players were identified through a media vote, with the final rankings determined by a weighted combination of media and fan voting. Full player bios are available at chl.ca/chl50.

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to reveal the players ranked No. 50 through No. 41 on its Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list (see below), a signature initiative launched as part of the CHL’s 50th anniversary season. The countdown celebrates the greatest players from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) since 1975-76, honouring the stars who have shaped major junior hockey over the past five decades. Four WHL alumni find themselves ranked from 50 to 41 on the CHL's Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years, including Brian Propp (47), Mark Recchi (45), Cam Neely (43), and Leon Draisaitl (42). As part of the initiative, a panel of media members first identified the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years (since 1975-76). From there, the final ranking order was determined using a weighted formula that combined media and fan voting to rank the players from No. 1 through No. 50. KEY FACTS & MEDIA NOTES: CHL TOP 50 PLAYERS MEDIA RESOURCES (PHOTOS, LOGOS, VIDEOS & MORE) 50. Larry Murphy, Defenceman | OHL | Peterborough Petes (1978-80) | Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs & Detroit Red Wings (1980-2001): Murphy helped Peterborough win the 1979 Memorial Cup before breaking out for 89 points in 1979-80, earning OHL Defenceman of the Year and OHL First All-Star Team honours. He added 17 points in 14 playoff games as the Petes repeated as OHL champions in 1980. Murphy went on to a Hall of Fame NHL career, winning four Stanley Cups and recording 1,216 points in 1,615 games. 49. Scott Stevens, Defenceman | OHL | Kitchener Rangers (1980-82) | Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues & New Jersey Devils (1982-2004): Stevens starred on Kitchener’s 1982 championship team, collecting 42 points in 68 games and 11 more in 15 playoff contests while helping the Rangers win both the OHL title and the franchise’s first Memorial Cup. He later became a Hall of Fame NHL defenceman, captaining the New Jersey Devils to three Stanley Cups and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2000. 48. Taylor Hall, Forward | OHL | Windsor Spitfires (2007-10) | Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks & Carolina Hurricanes (2010-Present): Hall led Windsor through one of the most dominant runs in CHL history, winning OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year in 2007-08 before helping the Spitfires capture back-to-back Memorial Cups. He won the Stafford Smythe Trophy (Memorial Cup MVP) twice, the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award (OHL Playoffs MVP) in 2009, and later captured the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP in 2017-18. 47. Brian Propp, Forward | WHL | Brandon Wheat Kings (1976-79) | Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars & Hartford Whalers (1979-94):One of the WHL’s all-time great scorers, Propp recorded 511 points in 213 regular-season games, won back-to-back WHL scoring titles, and led Brandon to its first WHL championship in 1978-79. He went on to score 425 goals and 1,004 points in the NHL, appearing in five Stanley Cup Finals. 46. Steven Stamkos, Forward | OHL | Sarnia Sting (2006-08) | Tampa Bay Lightning & Nashville Predators (2008-Present): Stamkos scored 100 goals and 197 points in just two OHL seasons, winning the Bobby Smith Trophy in 2006-07 and CHL Top Prospect honours in 2007-08 after a 58-goal campaign. The first overall pick in 2008, he later became a two-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time NHL goal-scoring leader, and 600-goal scorer. 45. Mark Recchi, Forward | WHL | New Westminster Bruins & Kamloops Blazers (1984-88) | Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning & Boston Bruins (1988-2011): Recchi’s WHL career peaked with a 154-point season in 1987-88 with Kamloops, and he finished junior with 292 regular-season points and 50 playoff points. He later built a Hall of Fame career in the NHL, recording 1,533 points and winning three Stanley Cups with three different teams. 44. Guy Carbonneau, Forward | QMJHL | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (1976-80) | Montréal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues & Dallas Stars (1980-2000): Carbonneau was a cornerstone in Chicoutimi, recording 435 points in 274 games, posting back-to-back seasons with 140-plus points, and captaining the Saguenéens. He later became one of the NHL’s premier defensive forwards, winning three Selke Trophies, three Stanley Cups, and a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame. 43. Cam Neely, Forward | WHL | Portland Winterhawks (1982-84) | Vancouver Canucks & Boston Bruins (1983-96): Neely burst onto the WHL scene with 56 goals and 120 points as a rookie in 1982-83, then helped Portland win the 1983 Memorial Cup with a hat trick in the final. He went on to a Hall of Fame NHL career, scoring 395 goals and becoming one of the era’s most feared power forwards. 42. Leon Draisaitl, Forward | WHL | Prince Albert Raiders & Kelowna Rockets (2012-15) | Edmonton Oilers (2015-Present): Draisaitl totaled 216 points in 160 WHL regular-season games, highlighted by a 105-point season in Prince Albert and a standout 2015 playoff run with Kelowna that ended with WHL Playoff MVP and Memorial Cup MVP honours. In the NHL, he became one of the league’s top offensive stars, winning the Hart, Art Ross, Ted Lindsay, and Rocket Richard trophies. 41. Patrice Bergeron, Forward | QMJHL | Acadie-Bathurst Titan (2001-03) | Boston Bruins (2003-2023): Bergeron played just one full season in Acadie-Bathurst, but made it count, setting Titan rookie records with 73 points and 50 assists in 2002-03 and tying the QMJHL rookie record for points in a playoff game with six. He later spent 19 seasons with the Boston Bruins, winning a record six Selke Trophies, a Stanley Cup, and surpassing 1,000 points with the franchise. Further rankings from the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list will be revealed in the coming weeks. CHL Top 50 Evaluation Criteria and Eligibility The CHL’s Top 50 Players were selected by a panel of more than 40 media members who submitted ranked 1–50 ballots guided by a weighted evaluation framework designed to ensure consistency across eras. Panelists considered a player’s impact beyond the CHL — including NHL and international success, major awards and championships, and Hall of Fame recognition — alongside on-ice achievement in the Member Leagues, reflecting what players accomplished during their time in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through production, individual honours, team success, and sustained dominance. Selections also accounted for historical significance, recognizing milestones, era-defining influence, generational impact, and lasting contributions to CHL history. To be eligible, players must have competed in at least one full season in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL during the CHL’s 50-year history beginning in 1975–76; for players who competed in 1975–76 and also played prior to that season, their entire CHL career was considered when evaluating on-ice accomplishments.

WHL Stars & NHL Debuts: Winterhawks grad Alscher logs heavy minutes for Panthers

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:03:01 +0000

Two seasons after reaching the WHL Championship Series in the Rose City, Florida Panthers defenceman Marek Alscher made his NHL debut in Canada's capital with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. The 22-year-old took his first strides in the big show on Thursday night. https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers/status/2042371499089166539 Though the Panthers would fall to the surging Ottawa Senators 4-1, Alscher had a strong showing with two shots, a block, a hit and an even rating in 19:28 of ice time. "It’s sweet and sour," Alscher told reporters. “First NHL game, that’s big for me. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to win, which... that'd be awesome, but like I said, sweet and sour." Two-time Stanley Cup-winning Head Coach Paul Maurice had high praise for the rookie, who debuted alongside another defender, Ludvig Jansson. "First game, and he played almost 20 minutes," Maurice assessed. "They've got a lot of speed on their team. Really, really happy with his game. I think Marek got a little more opportunity tonight to play and play against the other team's best, got up the ice a few times, use the size a little bit. Didn't look like he was afraid to make a play or trying not to make a mistake." Alscher is in his second season of professional hockey after graduating from the Portland Winterhawks in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound rearguard has piled up 21 points (5G-16A) in 104 regular-season games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers before getting the nod from the big club. Maurice added that Alscher will likely be back in the lineup as the Panthers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. "Gives me huge motivation," Alscher said. "I felt like, as the game progressed, I started feeling better. Every period was better and better for me, how I felt, and just gives me huge motivation to work hard and to be here." For Alscher, it's a journey that started years ago in his hometown of Kladno, Czechia. He made the jump from Europe to Portland after being selected by the Winterhawks with the 26th overall pick in the 2021 CHL Import Draft. Alscher brought a steady presence to the Hawks' blueline, bagging 66 points (22G-44A) in 178 regular-season games over three seasons. His sharply detailed play led the Panthers to snap him up in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Alscher's final season saw Portland claw its way to the 2024 WHL Championship Series. Though the Hawks would fall to the Moose Jaw Warriors, the youngster still netted five points (2G-3A) in 18 games in a tremendous run and set the stage for future success. "This is a dream, to play a game in the National Hockey League," Maurice said. "And it's not just the player, man, I think the players is not the most important thing. You think of the moms and dads and the families and every amateur coach that had something to do with that young man getting to live a dream. So there's a lot that goes into it." And a lot more to come. Alscher and the Panthers will take the ice against Toronto on Saturday, April 11, at 5:00 p.m. MT.

SERIES PREVIEW: Kelowna Rockets vs. Everett Silvertips

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:59:21 +0000

On paper, it wouldn't be crazy to see this series as a potential Memorial Cup matchup. The regular-season champion Everett Silvertips are coming off the winningest season in franchise history, while the Kelowna Rockets have caught fire as they prepare to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. Both teams are coming off statement first-round sweeps. Everett found some playoff absolution by downing the rival Portland Winterhawks, who had eliminated the Silvertips for the last three years. Kelowna flexed just how far their group has come by taking out their longtime foes, the Kamloops Blazers. The Silvertips are tied for most playoff goals in 2026 with 25, though no skater has more than four (a credit belonging to Seattle Kraken prospect Julius Miettinen). A staggering 14 Everett skaters have lit the lamp, including draft-eligible Matias Vanhanen, the WHL's first exceptional-status defenceman, Landon DuPont, and Florida Panthers prospect Shea Busch, who scored in his return to the lineup after being sidelined since October with an injury. Eight Silvertips have recorded multi-goal outings. It's a sharp contrast to the Rockets, who are the fourth-highest scoring team with 21 tallies, 11 of which have come from superstars Tij Iginla, a Utah Mammoth prospect, and Los Angeles Kings pick Vojtech Cihar. Cihar, who was named MVP at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, is second in goals across the league with six in four games, while alternate captain Iginla is a hair behind with five. The duo is tied for second-most points with 10 each. On the back end, Everett has allowed a league-low five goals while Kelowna has the second-fewest with eight. Beyond standout netminders Anders Miller and Harrison Boettiger, both teams boast defensive corps that would be the envy of any major junior team. DuPont and Anaheim Ducks prospect Tarin Smith, along with draft-eligible Brek Liske and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Luke Vlooswyk, helped make Everett the stingiest team in the West in the regular season. Kelowna loaded up with active WHL games-played leader Mazden Leslie, who was a finalist for Defenceman of the Year in 2025, Vancouver Canucks prospect Parker Alcos, and 2026 WHL Trade Deadline pickup Keith McInnis. Everett swept the regular-season series between these teams with four wins, though two were decided by a single goal, and only one meeting came after the 2026 WHL Trade Deadline. On the awards front, Iginla and DuPont have both been named to the 2025-26 WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team, while Smith, Miettinen and Bear all earned berths on the Second All-Star squad. Vanhanen is in the running for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL Rookie of the Year and the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanlike Player. Silvertips goaltender Raiden LeGall and Rockets forward Shane Smith are finalists for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy for Humanitarian of the Year. On the staff side, Silvertips bench boss Steve Hamilton has gotten the nod as a finalist for the Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year, and General Managers Mike Fraser (Everett) and Bruce Hamilton (Kelowna) are finalists for the Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy for Executive of the Year. This marks the fourth time these teams have met in the postseason and the first time since 2010, when Kelowna edged Everett 2-1 in Game 7 of a first-round series. All three previous playoff meetings have required at least six games, including a seven-game showdown in the 2004 Western Conference Championship that saw Everett move on to the league final in its inaugural season. Angel of the Winds Arena will host Game 1 on Friday, April 10, at 7:05 p.m. PST, before the series shifts to the Okanagan and Prospera Place for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:05 p.m. PST. STAT PACK

	Kelowna Rockets	Everett Silvertips
Record	38-21-6-3 (3rd B.C.)	57-8-2-1 (1st U.S.)
Playoff Leaders	Vojtech Cihar (6G-4A, 10 pts) Tij Iginla (5G-5A, 10 pts) Nate Corbet (1G-3A, 4 pts)	Julius Miettinen (4G-2A, 6 pts) Matias Vanhanen (3G-3A, 6 pts) Landon DuPont (2G-4A, 6 pts)
Season Leaders	Tij Iginla (41G-49A, 90 pts) Carson Wetsch (22G-50A, 72 pts) Shane Smith (33G-35A, 68 pts)	Matias Vanhanen (21G-66A, 87 pts) Carter Bear (36G-41A, 77 pts) Julius Miettinen (35G-41A, 76 pts)
Leading Goaltender (Playoffs)	Harrison Boettiger (4-0-0), 2.00 GAA, .934 save percentage)	Anders Miller (4-0-0, 1.25 GAA, .949 save percentage, one shutout)
Power Play (Playoffs)	25% (8th)	29.4% (5th)
Penalty Kill (Playoffs)	80% (7th)	70% (13th)
First Round	Def. Kamloops (4-0)	Def. Portland (4-0)
Last WHL Championship	2015	-

2025-26 REGULAR SEASON SERIES Everett leads 4-0-0-0 October 18, 2025- Everett 3, Kelowna 2 November 16, 2025- Kelowna 2, Everett 3 (OT) November 21, 2025- Everett 6, Kelowna 3 January 21, 2026- Kelowna 3, Everett 5

GAME BREAKERS Kelowna: Vojtech Cihar has been unstoppable since making tracks for Kelowna after World Juniors. The 6-foot, 181-pound winger netted 31 points (12G-19A) in 31 regular-season games and has exploded for 10 points (6G-4A) in four postseason contests- including a one-goal, three-assist effort in Game 3 against the Blazers. However, the 19-year-old did not get a point in his lone game against the Silvertips on January 21, 2026. If recent history is any indicator, it could simply be a matter of when, not if, he scores his first goal against Everett. Everett: Julius Miettinen has beefed up his resume as a formidable netfront presence to include a slew of end-to-end highlight-reel goals. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound centreman leads Everett with six points (4G-2A), including the game-winning goal in Game 3 against the Winterhawks. Miettinen only suited up for two games against Kelowna in the regular season (he missed one match with a day-to-day upper body injury and another with an illness), but picked up a goal and three assists in that short span. GOALTENDING

Kelowna: Harrison Boettiger has brought a tremendous presence to the Rockets' crease as he's settled into the WHL life. The draft-eligible netminder is fourth among all goalies with a 2.00 goals-against average and .934 save percentage in four postseason contests. Whether it was by design or a matter of schedule, Boettiger hasn't played the 'Tips often in his rookie season. The 18-year-old is 0-1-0-0 against Everett with a 3.13 GAA and .929 save percentage, having made one start (a 5-3 loss that included an empty-netter) and one relief appearance that saw Boettiger stop 28 of 29 shots. Everett: Anders Miller leads all WHL goaltenders in playoff GAA (1.25) and save percentage (.949), while adding a 19-save shutout in Round One. The Anchorage, Alaska product owns a sparkling 4-0-0-0 record against Kelowna in the regular season with a 2.50 GAA and .912 save percentage, including a 35-save effort in a 3-2 win on October 18. The 19-year-old may not face a ton of rubber thanks to Everett's stingy defensive play, but he's been more than up to the task when needed.

X-FACTOR

Kelowna: Rockets captain Carson Wetsch brings sandpaper and stealth to the ice on a nightly basis. The San Jose Sharks prospect has already logged two goals in the postseason and is looking for more. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound winger is coming off a career-best 72-point (22G-50A) season in the Okanagan, though he didn't hit the scoresheet against Everett in four regular-season meetings. With 80 regular-season penalty minutes under his belt, Wetsch has shown he's capable of getting opponents off their game while teeing up his own squad. Everett: Casual reminder. Landon DuPont is among the WHL's top defencemen at just 16 years old. After his CHL Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024-25, DuPont has popped off for 73 points (18G-55A) in 63 regular-season outings, tying for fourth among all WHL defenders in points. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound rearguard notched four points (2G-2A) in four games against Portland and had three points (2G-1A) against Kelowna in the regular season.

SERIES SCHEDULE

Game	Visitor		Home	Day	Date	Time
1	Kelowna	@	Everett	Friday	April 10	7:05pm PT
2	Kelowna	@	Everett	Saturday	April 11	6:05pm PT
3	Everett	@	Kelowna	Tuesday	April 14	7:05pm PT
4	Everett	@	Kelowna	Wednesday	April 15	7:05pm PT
5*	Kelowna	@	Everett	Friday	April 17	7:05pm PT
6*	Everett	@	Kelowna	Sunday	April 19	5:05pm PT
7*	Kelowna	@	Everett	Tuesday	April 21	7:05pm PT

* = if necessary

WHL announces finalists for Four Broncos Memorial Trophy

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:55:20 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 finalists for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Player of the Year.

The most prestigious individual award in the WHL, the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is named in memory of the four members of the Swift Current Broncos who died in a tragic bus crash December 30, 1986. Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff all died when the Broncos bus crashed while en route to a game in Regina.

Finalists for WHL Awards are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

Winners of 2026 WHL Awards will be announced from Tuesday, April 21, through Wednesday, May 6.

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy – Eastern Conference Finalists

Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers Markus Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers

Four Broncos Memorial Trophy – Western Conference Finalists

JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets Cameron Schmidt, Seattle Thunderbirds

Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers

The 19-year-old product of Chauvin, Alta., had a breakout campaign, registering 45 goals, 83 points, and a plus-55 rating in 55 games as captain of the Tigers. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound right-shot blueliner’s 45 goals were tied for second in the WHL, while his 83 points finished second among all WHL defencemen. With 11 game-winning goals, the smooth-skating defender finished tied for first in among all WHL skaters. Pickford’s 45 goals set a Medicine Hat Tigers franchise record for goals by a defenceman, surpassing the previous mark of 32 set by Kris Russell in 2006-07. A two-time WHL Champion (Seattle – 2023; Medicine Hat – 2025), Pickford was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round (81st overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round (38th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Pickford has played 224 career WHL regular season games, tallying 165 points (73G-92A).

Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers

The 18-year-old product of Osoyoos, B.C., finished second in WHL scoring with 104 points (45G-59A) in 68 games. The 6-foot, 175-pound right winger’s 45 goals were tied for second in the WHL, while his 59 assists ranked fifth across the League. Ruck’s 16 power-play goals were tied for third best in the WHL, and his 10 game-winning goals were also tied for third in the League. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Ruck is ranked 26th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. In November, he was selected to represent Team CHL at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. He followed that in February by being named to Team East for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. Originally selected by the Tigers in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Ruck has skated in 132 career WHL regular season games, recording 147 points (71G-76A). Ruck was a member of the Tigers 2025 WHL Championship.

Markus Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers

The 18-year-old product of Osoyoos, B.C., and twin brother of Liam, finished first in WHL scoring with 108 points (21G-87A) in 68 games. The 6-foot, 167-pound centre’s 87 assists were tops in the WHL this season, leading the next best skater by 21. Ruck’s 38 power-play assists were best in the WHL. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Ruck is ranked 31st among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. In February, he was selected to represent Team East for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. Originally selected by the Tigers in the first round (21st overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Ruck has played in 132 career WHL regular season games, tallying 137 points (29G-108A). Ruck was a member of the Tigers 2025 WHL Championship.

JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

The 17-year-old product of Allen, Texas, exploded onto the WHL as a rookie, posting 97 points (42G-55A) in 68 games with the Blazers. Hurlbert’s 97 points were fourth in the WHL, while his 42 goals were tied for fourth. He led all WHL rookies in scoring. The 6-foot, 182-pound right winger served as an alternate captain for the Blazers in his first WHL season. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Hurlbert is ranked 10th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. The first-year WHL forward was named to Team CHL for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge in November, before representing Team West in the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. He was originally selected by the Blazers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets

The 19-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., returned following an injury-shortened 2024-25 season to lead the WHL in points per game (1.88), registering 90 points (41G-49A) in 48 games with the Rockets. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound centre established new career highs in both assists and points, best his previous marks from 2023-24 when he tallied 37 assists and 84 points in 64 games. Iginla finished sixth in both goals and points among all WHL skaters. Selected by the Utah Mammoth in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Iginla has played 184 career WHL regular season games, posting 225 points (108G-117A). Prior to arriving in Kelowna, he was a member of Seattle’s 2023 WHL Championship squad. Iginla was originally selected by the Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Cameron Schmidt, Seattle Thunderbirds

The 19-year-old product of Prince George, B.C., finished third in WHL scoring with 100 points. He was one of only three WHL players to reach the 100-point plateau and was the lone WHL player to register 50 goals in 2025-26. Having split the season between the Vancouver Giants and Thunderbirds, the 5-foot-8, 158-pound right winger finished tied for first in the WHL with 11 game-winning goals. Selected by the Dallas Stars in the third round (94th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Schmidt has collected 237 points (123G-114A) in 195 career WHL regular season games. Schmidt was originally selected by the Giants in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.

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.

WHL announces finalists for Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:55:09 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 finalists for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Defenceman of the Year

Bill Hunter was a founder and builder of the WHL. He served as Owner, General Manager, and Coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings from 1966 through 1972, while also serving as the first Chairman of the Board for the WHL. Hunter was the driving force that kept the WHL at the forefront of Major Junior hockey in Canada.

Finalists for WHL Awards are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

Winners of 2026 WHL Awards will be announced from Tuesday, April 21, through Wednesday, May 6.

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy – Eastern Conference Finalists

Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy – Western Conference Finalists

Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars

Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers

Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers

The 19-year-old product of Winnipeg, Man., posted a career best campaign, logging 86 points (29G-57A) in 56 games to lead all WHL defencemen in scoring. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound right shot blueliner’s 29 goals were second among all WHL rearguards, while his 57 assists were tops among defencemen across the League. With four shorthanded goals to his credit, Woo finished tied for first among all WHL players. Originally selected by the Winnipeg ICE in the first round (18th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Woo has played 259 career WHL regular season games, securing 187 points (51G-136A). He helped the Tigers claim the WHL Championship in 2025.

Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders

The 18-year-old product of Lacombe, Alta., posted incredible numbers in his NHL Draft season, including 28 goals and 78 points, along with a plus-32 rating for the East Division champion Raiders. Rudolph’s 28 goals and 78 points both finished third among all WHL defencemen. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound right-shot blueliner tied a Raiders franchise record for goals by a defenceman, matching the mark established by Josh Morrissey in 2013-14. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Rudolph is ranked sixth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. In November, Rudolph was selected to represent Team CHL at the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. He followed that up in February by captaining Team East at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. Originally selected first overall by the Raiders in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Rudolph has played 132 career WHL regular season games, tallying 119 points (35G-84A).

Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips

The 16-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., registered career highs in all major offensive categories, including 18 goals, 55 assists, 73 points, and a plus-59 rating in 63 games this season. DuPont’s 73 points were tied for fourth among all WHL rearguards, while his 55 assists were tied for second. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound right-shot blueliner took home the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL Rookie of the Year in 2024-25 having entered the WHL at 15 years old after being granted Exceptional Player Status by Hockey Canada. DuPont tallied 28 power-play assists in 2025-26, good enough for second in the entire WHL. Eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, DuPont has played 127 career WHL regular season games, collecting 133 points (35G-98A) and a plus-90 rating. He was selected by the Silvertips with the first overall pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.

Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips

The 20-year-old product of Porcupine Plain, Sask., enjoyed his best WHL season yet, scoring 71 points (16G-55A) in 65 games while serving as captain of the Silvertips. Smith’s 55 assists left him tied for second among all WHL defencemen. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-shot blueliner was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the third round (79th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. In 208 career WHL regular season games, Smith has secured 176 points (41G-135A). Smith was originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (20th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars

The 17-year-old product of Cypress River, Man., emerged as a dominant force in 2025-26, recording 73 points (20G-53A) in 58 games. Carels’ 73 points tied for fourth among WHL blueliners, while he was one of only six rearguards to reach the 20-goal plateau. Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound left-shot Carels is ranked third among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings. In November, he was selected to represent Team CHL in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. Come February, Carels was named captain of Team West for the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass. Originally selected by the Cougars in the first round (16th overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Carels has played 125 career WHL regular season games, securing 111 points (26G-85A).

About the Western Hockey League

2026 Player Tracker: WHL to AHL

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:04:30 +0000

As WHL seasons wrap up, NHL prospects and WHL free agents can be invited to compete with professional hockey clubs in the American Hockey League via assignment from their NHL teams or by signing Amateur Tryout Agreements (ATOs). The WHL will keep track of these opportunities until the conclusion of the AHL season.

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS F- Luke Mistelbacher- Belleville Senators- ATO* KAMLOOPS BLAZERS D- Harrison Brunicke- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins- Reassigned F- Tommy Lafreniere- Bakersfield Condors- ATO MOOSE JAW WARRIORS G- Chase Wutzke- Iowa Wild- Reassigned PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS F- Ryan Miller- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins- ATO SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS D- Radim Mrtka- Rochester Americans- Reassigned TRI-CITY AMERICANS D- Charlie Elick- Cleveland Monsters- Reassigned *Mistelbacher signed an AHL contract that will take effect at the start of the 2026-27 season

WHL announces finalists for Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:56:11 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2025-26 finalists for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL’s Humanitarian of the Year

The Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy recognizes the work players do to help enhance the community in which they play in. The trophy was named in honour of former Regina Pats forward Doug Wickenheiser in May 2001, as recognition for his contributions on and off the ice.

Finalists for WHL Awards are voted upon by WHL General Managers.

Winners of 2026 WHL Awards will be announced from Tuesday, April 21, through Wednesday, May 6.

Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy – Eastern Conference Finalists

Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades Axel Hurtig, Calgary Hitmen Brady Ness and Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors

Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy – Western Conference Finalists

Raiden LeGall, Everett Silvertips Shane Smith, Kelowna Rockets Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs

Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades

The 20-year-old product of Fort St. John, B.C., went 25-16-4-2 with a 2.96 goals-against average, .902 save percentage, and three shutouts in a career-high 52 appearances. Selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round (60th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, Gardner finished among WHL goaltending leaders in shutouts (T-7th) and wins (T-8th).

Living with Type 1 diabetes, Gardner has been a passionate voice for awareness, raising funds for Diabetes Canada and educating youth through school visits and outreach initiatives. He expanded his community efforts with an autism awareness campaign this season, auctioning off goaltending equipment to support local charitable programs. Outside his dedication and advocacy around diabetes and autism, Gardner committed significant time to hospital visits, minor hockey, and more.

Axel Hurtig, Calgary Hitmen

The 20-year-old product of Hogas, Sweden, enjoyed a career season on the ice, registering 19 points (6G-13A) in 64 games. Selected by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round (208th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Hurtig served as the 33rd captain in Hitmen history this past season.

Hurtig’s leadership extended off the ice and away from the rink. He was deeply involved in HEROS Hockey, a volunteer-driven charity that teaches life skills and empowers marginalized youth through hockey. Off the ice, Hurtig delivered a large-scale, online educational program on the importance of health and wellness, to more than 100 schools reaching 1,600+ students in partnership with the Calgary Public Library. This season, Hurtig became the face of Farley’s Friends – an initiative that welcomed groups from Kids Up Front, an organization focused on enriching the lives of kids and their families, mentors, foster parents, and friends by giving them the opportunity to create lifelong memories. Hurtig has also served as a Hockey Gives Blood ambassador to raise awareness about blood donation.

Brady Ness and Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors

Ness – a 19-year-old product of Sedgewick, Alta. – served as captain of the Warriors and posted 14 points (3G-11A) in 62 games.

Semeniuk – a 20-year-old product of Calgary, Alta., – enjoyed a career campaign, tallying 43 points (16G-27A) in 63 games.

Off the ice, Ness and Semeniuk worked together to demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service. Throughout the season, Ness and Semeniuk volunteered regularly with Moose Jaw Diversified Services – a non-profit organization that provides person-centred programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, focusing on quality of life through vocational training, life skills development, volunteerism, and recreational activities. Ness and Semeniuk eventually expanded their efforts with Moose Jaw Diversified Services to include the entire Warriors team.

Outside Moose Jaw Diversified Services, Ness and Semeniuk regularly participated in school visits, minor hockey practices, and volunteered with the Moose Jaw Humane Society.

Raiden LeGall, Everett Silvertips

The 19-year-old product of Morden, Man., had a career season in Everett, going 27-4-2-1 with a 2.80 goals-against average and two shutouts.

In the community, LeGall showed leadership and compassion through his “Brick in LeWall” mental health initiative, which raised more than $14,000 for Camp Erin – a Washington-based bereavement camp for children who have lost a loved one – and Eden Health Care Services – a non-profit organization in Manitoba, providing comprehensive mental health services. LeGall’s campaign was inspired by his goalie coach, Tim Morison, who dealt with depression after he and his wife had a stillborn son in 2022.

In addition to his “Brick in LeWall” initiative, LeGall involved himself in the Everett community through school visits, youth coaching, and other local fundraisers.

Shane Smith, Kelowna Rockets

The 21-year-old product of Cessford, Alta., boasted a career campaign in Kelowna, collecting 68 points (33G-35A) in 61 games.

Leading by example with school visits, fan engagement, Smith made a personal pledge this season, donating $25 for each point he scored to the Canadian CMV Foundation, in honour of his niece, Maia, who was diagnosed with congenital CMV at birth. In total, Smith donated $1,675, and in the process raised awareness of congenital CMV – a common viral infection that can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy. CMV can cause health problems in some babies, which is why awareness, prevention, and early detection are important. CMV impacts one in 200 newborns in Canada.

Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs

The 17-year-old product of Okotoks, Alta., appeared in a career-high 44 games with the Chiefs this season, going 24-18-1-0 with a 2.80 goals-against average, .903 save percentage, and five shutouts. With a late 2008 birthday, the 5-foot-10, 166-pound Esler is eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.

Through his exceptional leadership, Esler development an innovative, season-long fundraising initiative benefiting multiple local causes. He designed custom goalie pads for each of the Chiefs special theme nights throughout the season, including Teddy Bear Toss, Military Appreciation Night, Chiefs Fight Cancer, and Turn Back the Clock Night.

The first set of gear – Esler’s Teddy Bear Toss design – benefited the Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. As part of this, Esler visited with children at the hospital, who contributed to the designing of the pads with their own artwork.

Esler’s other designs benefited the Washington State Fallen Heroes Project, Every Woman Can PNW, and local youth hockey programs in the Inland Northwest. In total, Esler raised nearly $9,000 for local charities through the auctioning of his special theme equipment.

About the Western Hockey League