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Silvertips coach Hamilton named winner of CHL’s Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:52:13 +0000

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 the Canadian Hockey League’s top coach.

Steve Hamilton of the Everett Silvertips (WHL) earned the honour after guiding Everett through the best season in franchise history. In just his second season with the Silvertips, Hamilton led the club to a 57-8-2-1 record and 117 points, helping Everett capture a second straight Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular-season champions.

Everett’s 57 wins and 117 points both set franchise records, while the Silvertips’ .860 points percentage ranked seventh all-time in CHL history among teams that played at least 50 games. The club was one of the CHL’s most complete teams, finishing third in the WHL with 304 goals for while allowing just 173 goals against, the second-fewest in the league.

Hamilton’s season continued into a historic postseason run, as Everett went 16-2 through the WHL Playoffs to capture the first Ed Chynoweth Cup title in franchise history. The Silvertips then made their first Memorial Cup appearance, recorded their first Memorial Cup win and shutout, and advanced to their first Memorial Cup Final. Hamilton becomes the first Silvertips coach to capture the CHL Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award.

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

Winners were recognized at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, Monday, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award were 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.

2026 NHL Draft Profile | Markus Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 21:03:26 +0000

It was one of the most hyped early events on the NHL Draft calendar. Decked out in the jerseys of their home clubs, dozens of top 2026 Draft-eligibles hit the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome for Game 1 of the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge on November 25, 2025. The annual two-game series draws swarms of NHL scouts and fans alike as top players from the WHL, OHL, QMJHL and U.S. NTDP fight to raise their draft stock and play for league pride. But Markus Ruck found himself sitting in the stands that night. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward hadn't been invited to represent the CHL. His twin brother, Liam, was a last-minute invite to replace another injured player. Still, there was no way Markus would miss the opportunity to watch his brother and peers. "I think not making that team... It was good for me," Markus reflected. "I think up until this point, I didn't see a lot of adversity. Watching Liam too, it was lots of fun, me and my dad (WHL alumnus Derek Ruck), kind of sitting back and watching some hockey." Funnily enough, Markus had scored the overtime winner to down the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 less than 48 hours before Game 1 of the showcase. Looking back, maybe it was a sign of what was to come. The Rucks went on to go first and second in the WHL scoring race, with Markus leading the entire CHL with 108 points (21G-87A) in 68 games. Needless to say, when the 2026 WHL Prospects Challenge rolled around, he got the invite to Team East and promptly teed up Prince Albert's Daxon Rudolph for the overtime winner. Markus and Liam- along with Tigers Captain and Canadiens Prospect Bryce Pickford- were all finalists for WHL Player of the Year, while Markus also earned the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's top scorer and was nominated for Most Sportsmanlike Player. "When I see how far they've come, because they've passed a lot of players on that (draft) list right now, I think it's just a tribute to them and how hard they work," Tigers General Manager and Head Coach Willie Desjardins said of the Rucks. "They're so smart, but it's their work ethic. They're in the gym all the time, and they're always working to get better." Scouts and pundits have dubbed Markus the playmaker and Liam the finisher as the twins dazzled the hockey world with their chemistry and sneaky plays. The other main difference is that the Rucks are mirror twins- Markus is a left-handed centreman, while Liam is a right-shot winger. Markus, 18 (and slightly older than Liam), added another 13 points (4G-9A) in 15 playoff games to help Medicine Hat reach the Eastern Conference Championship one year after winning it all and advancing to the 2025 Memorial Cup Final. While he didn't get the most ice time in his rookie campaign (playing left wing behind 2025 Player of the Year Gavin McKenna will do that), Markus still picked up four playoff points to win the 2025 WHL Championship and feels he was able to soak up the habits of McKenna and then-captain Oasiz Wiesblatt and bring a more rounded game to his draft year while shouldering the load of high expectations. "It feels great when the pressure's on you," Markus added. "That's what we all play for. We love playing in front of our fans and playing for the Tigers. Me and Liam, we played well within the structure last year, so this year kind of had to continue that. I think if you want to play at the next level, that's a big thing, you've got to play in all three zones, and I think I've been doing better at that." Markus is ranked 23rd among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the agency's final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft (Liam is a hair ahead at 20). The twins are fresh off of attending the annual NHL Combine, where they met with NHL clubs and participated in fitness testing. They've made no secret of their desire to play together at the next level, slim as those chances may be, but they're making sure to enjoy the experience together. "That's what helped us a lot this year," Liam said. "Yeah, we compete with each other a little bit to kind of improve, but we're more just happy to see the other one succeed." "It's one of the best years of my life so far," Markus added. "When I look back at this year, it's gonna be a lot of good memories on and off the ice." They're ready to make more memories on and off the ice. The Rucks told the NHL Draft Class podcast that they intend to return to the Gas City for another run in 2026-27. Round 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft begins on Friday, June 26, at 5:00 p.m. MT, with Rounds 2-7 continuing on Saturday, June 27.

Tigers forward Markus Ruck named CHL Top Scorer

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:27:04 +0000

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. Markus Ruck of the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) captured the honour after leading the WHL and the entire CHL with 108 points during the 2025-26 season.

The 18-year-old from Osoyoos, B.C., recorded 21 goals and a CHL-best 87 assists while posting a plus-45 rating in 68 games. His exceptional vision and playmaking ability helped drive a Medicine Hat team that led the WHL in goals, owned the league’s top power play, and finished atop the Central Division.

Ruck’s twin brother, Liam, finished second in both the WHL and CHL scoring races with 104 points, making Markus and Liam the first siblings in CHL history to finish first and second in league scoring in the same season. They also became the first brothers ever to place 1-2 in scoring within a CHL Member League.

The 2026 NHL Draft prospect became the first Medicine Hat skater since Linden Vey in 2010-11 to lead the CHL in scoring and just the second Tigers player to win the CHL Top Scorer Award. Ruck was held off the scoresheet just 12 times all season and recorded at least three points in a game on 11 occasions.

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

Winterhawks forward Weiermair named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:26:34 +0000

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.

Alex Weiermair of the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) earned the honour after excelling academically while enjoying a standout overage season on the ice. The 21-year-old from Los Angeles, Calif., maintained a 4.0 GPA across challenging university coursework, including chemistry, business, history, and psychology. His academic background also includes advanced-level calculus and physics, while away from formal coursework, Weiermair speaks German and is teaching himself Italian.

On the ice, the Vegas Golden Knights prospect recorded 93 points, including 37 goals and 56 assists, in 66 regular season games. He led the Winterhawks in scoring and finished fifth overall in the WHL while contributing consistently in all situations.

Despite playing a heavy-minute role, Weiermair recorded just 28 penalty minutes and was also named a finalist for the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. An alternate captain in Portland, Weiermair was recognized throughout the organization for his maturity, humility, integrity, and leadership both on and off the ice.

With the honour, Weiermair becomes the second Portland Winterhawks player to be named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, joining Dan Hulak, who captured the award following the 2000-01 season.

Winner – Alex Weiermair (Portland Winterhawks / WHL) Nominees – Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) & Nathan Brisson (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL)

Six WHL Alumni win 2026 Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 19:02:35 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – Six WHL Alumni have won the Stanley Cup as members of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Carolina’s run to the 2026 Stanley Cup championship included contributions from three former WHL forwards – Logan Stankoven (Kamloops Blazers), Seth Jarvis (Portland Winterhawks), and Jordan Martinook (Vancouver Giants).

Stankoven finished third in voting for the Conn Smythe Trophy – awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as voted upon by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA).

The Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a 3-0 score in Game 6 to secure the crown.

In addition to the three players that hoisted hockey’s holy grail, three members of Carolina’s staff celebrate the lifetime achievement – Eric Fink (Amateur Scout, Portland Winterhawks), Cody Nickolet (Amateur Scout, Saskatoon Blades), and Kevin McCarthy (Development Coach, Winnipeg Clubs).

In clinching the 2026 Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes laid claim to the hardest trophy to win in all of sport for the second time in franchise history, doing so during the 20th anniversary of the Club’s first victory. The Hurricanes went 16-3 en route to the title.

The 23-year-old Stankoven, who not only hails from Kamloops, B.C., but starred for his hometown Blazers, led the Hurricanes in goal scoring with 11 tallies in 19 games. In total, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound forward collected 16 points (11G-5A) and a plus-8 rating over the course of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Against the Golden Knights, the former WHL Player of the Year (2021-22) notched four points (2G-2A), including an all-important goal in Game 2, which helped the Hurricanes slash into a 2-0 Vegas lead en route to mounting a comeback overtime victory to even the series 1-1.

Originally selected by the Dallas Stars in the second round (47th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Stankoven was acquired by the Hurricanes in a blockbuster trade that sent Finnish star Mikko Rantanen to the Lone Star State. The 2025-26 campaign represented a career best for Stankoven, as he posted 44 points (21G-23A) in 81 games with the Hurricanes.

A veteran of 180 career WHL regular season games, Stankoven amassed 260 points (115G-145A) over a decorated four seasons with the Blazers. Prior to Sunday’s Stanley Cup victory, Stankoven’s trophy cabinet already held awards for WHL Player of the Year (2021-22), CHL Player of the Year (2021-22), WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player (2021-22), WHL Humanitarian of the Year (2022-23), Memorial Cup Most Sportsmanlike Player (2023), and Memorial Cup Top Scorer (2023).

The 24-year-old Jarvis, who hails from Winnipeg, Man., spent three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks. Over 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he tallied 11 points (4G-3A) and a plus-3 rating. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward came through with a series-altering strike in Game 2, registering the overtime-winning goal for Carolina to even the best-of-seven set at 1-1.

Originally selected by the Hurricanes in the first round (13th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Jarvis has been nothing short of outstanding over five seasons in Raleigh, N.C. The former Winterhawks star has strung together three consecutive 30-goal, 65-point campaigns, while also representing Canada on the international stage – including the 2025 4 Nations Cup and 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

A veteran of 154 career WHL regular season contests, Jarvis posted 166 points (73G-93A) as a member of the Winterhawks. At the conclusion of the 2019-20 WHL campaign, Jarvis was named WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player and was also a member of the WHL’s Western Conference First All-Star Team.

The 33-year-old Martinook, who hails from Brandon, Man., spent two seasons with the Vancouver Giants. Over 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he notched five points (2G-3A) and a plus-1 rating. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound forward made his mark in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, scoring Carolina’s first goal of the game 7:03 into the third period, chipping away at a 4-0 lead for the Golden Knights. The Hurricanes went on to score three times in a span of 39 seconds, including Martinook’s marker, before eventually tying the game and forcing overtime. Ultimately, the Golden Knights emerged victorious in the second overtime period, but Carolina’s comeback showed there was plenty more to come from the Hurricanes.

Originally selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the second round (58th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Martinook was acquired by the Hurricanes, along with a fourth-round pick, on May 3, 2018, in exchange for forward Marcus Kruger and a third-round pick. Since the 2019-20 season, Martinook has served as an alternate captain for the Hurricanes.

A veteran of 144 career WHL regular season games, Martinook collected 92 points (51G-41) as a member of the Giants

On the other side of the outcome, 12 former WHL players represented the Vegas Golden Knights, including forward Brett Howden (Moose Jaw Warriors), who led the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs in goal scoring with 14 markers.

On the blueline, it was Shea Theodore (Seattle Thunderbirds) who led all defencemen in scoring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, registering 18 points (6G-12A) in 22 games.

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.