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2007-born forward Jake Stuart signs WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hurricanes

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:44:50 +0000

Lethbridge, Alta. - The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club have announced the signing of 2007-born forward Jake Stuart Western Hockey League Scholarship and Development Agreements. “A couple of years ago I didn’t think it would have been possible to play in the WHL, but with the [NCAA] rule changes, I thought the opportunity was really good for me and I’m super excited for next year,” said Stuart. “Last year, honestly, I didn’t have the year I wanted to have and I think I need one more year of Junior. I’m super excited for training camp, and I just can’t wait to get started and I’m excited to join the Hurricanes; it’s going to be a very exciting season.” Stuart, 19, was acquired by the Hurricanes from the Brandon Wheat Kings in May in a three-team trade. He was originally selected second overall by the Wheat Kings in the 2022 WHL US Priority Draft. The Manhatten Beach, California, product has split the 2025-2026 season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League where he collected 16 points (6g-10a) along with 31 penalty minutes in 51 regular season games. He has also tallied one assist in 10 post-season games helping the Stampede capture the USHL Clark Cup Championship. Jake has a commitment to the University of Denver. “Jake is a player we're excited to welcome to our organization. He's a talented player with a strong two-way game, excellent character, and significant upside,” said Hurricanes Interim General Manager Barclay Parneta. “He also brings valuable experience from a championship program in Sioux Falls, where he learned what it takes to compete and win a championship. We're pleased that Jake has chosen to continue his development with the Hurricanes, and the opportunity to see him play alongside his brother Logan makes this an especially exciting addition for our organization." The 5’9, 165-pound forward previously spent two seasons with the US National Team Development Program where he appeared in a combined 132 regular season games collecting 42 points (24g-18a) along with 46 penalty minutes with the NTDP U17 and U18 programs. Last year, Stuart amassed 31 points (17g-14a) along with 36 penalty minutes in 67 regular season games at the U18 level while also recording four penalty minutes with the USNTDP team in the inaugural CHL-USA Prospects Challenge where he appeared in two games. Before his time with the USNTDP, he spent three seasons in the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U and 14U programs. In his draft year, Stuart collected an impressive 90 points (50g-40a) along with 36 penalty minutes in 71 regular season games with the Jr. Kings 14U team. “I’m really excited to be able to go play with my brother [Logan] and [Dayne] Beuker, it’s going to be pretty cool, the last time that we played a full season together, I was 12. Joining my brother, not a lot of people get to do, and I think this is the best option for me and it was a no brainer [to sign],” added Stuart. “My parents, especially my mom, are really excited to be able to come see us in the same spot, and it’s really cool to be able to play in the same league as my Dad did.” Jake is the older brother of Hurricanes forward and Washington Capitals draft pick Logan Stuart, who signed with the club in June. He is also the son of former WHL and NHL defenceman Brad Stuart, who also spent parts of four seasons in the WHL with the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen before spending 18 seasons in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche.” “I think next year, I want to be a really consistent player who can be reliable. I’m a really good two-way forward, I take pride on the defensive side of the ice, but I can also contribute offensively. I’m not the biggest guy, but I like to to be really physical and do what I can in that aspect,” said Stuart. Season Tickets for the 2026-2027 season, which will mark the Hurricanes 40^th Anniversary season in Lethbridge, are now on sale. Premium Season Tickets are also available for an additional $250 per seat. Season Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Yates Memorial Theatre and VisitLethbridge.com Arena Ticket Centre, by calling 403-329-SEAT (7328) or online at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

Moncton Wildcats & Québec Remparts named finalists to host the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:26:56 +0000

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is proud to announce that the Moncton Wildcats and Québec Remparts of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) have been selected as the two finalist clubs in the bid to host the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota. Moncton and Québec were selected by the 2028 Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee, an independent panel of five individuals with extensive experience across the sports landscape. As the first step in the process, the committee reviewed submissions from QMJHL clubs that declared their intent to bid before identifying the two finalist clubs that would advance. Both organizations will now be invited to submit formal written bids, before delivering bid presentations and hosting site visits. The committee will evaluate each bid across four categories: Business Operations; Local Atmosphere, Events & Community Engagement; Event Logistics; and Hockey Operations, before determining the host of the 2028 tournament. The 2028 host city is expected to be announced by the end of October. “The Memorial Cup holds a special place in our game because of the players, fans, volunteers, and communities who bring it to life each year,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “Moncton and Québec are two proud hockey markets with deep connections to this championship, passionate fan bases, strong organizational leadership, and a clear understanding of what it takes to host an event of this calibre. We are confident either city would provide an exceptional stage for the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, and we thank all of the QMJHL clubs that expressed interest in being part of this process.” “The Moncton Wildcats are thrilled to be named a finalist to host the 2028 Memorial Cup. We look forward to presenting our vision of this major event to the selection committee. We know we have the fans, sponsors, hockey organization, and community support both in the Greater Moncton Area and the province to host another successful national championship,” shared R.J. Irving, President of the Moncton Wildcats. “We also have state-of-the-art facilities and an established standard of winning on the ice. With additional events planned in the community to complement the on-ice competition, Moncton will be the place everyone will want to be in May 2028.” “We are very pleased to have been selected as finalists and are very confident that the bid we submit will be strong and meet the expectations of the CHL’s Site Selection Committee,” stated Tommy Castonguay, Vice-President of Operations for the Québec Remparts. “For the past three years, we have expressed our interest in hosting this tournament, which will coincide with our team coming into its own. The work is only just beginning, and we will put everything in place to demonstrate that the Remparts and the beautiful city of Québec are recognized for hosting major events like the 2028 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota.” The Moncton Wildcats and Québec Remparts each boast meaningful connections to the Memorial Cup and a proven track record of hosting major hockey events. Moncton proudly hosted the tournament in 2006, when the Wildcats reached the championship game against the Remparts, and later returned to the Memorial Cup as QMJHL champion in 2010 and 2025. The city has also welcomed several major CHL events, including the 1994 CHL All-Star Challenge, Canada/Russia Series games in 2005, 2017 and 2019, and the 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Avenir Centre. Québec, meanwhile, owns one of the richest Memorial Cup histories in the CHL. Across the original and current Remparts eras, the club has captured the Memorial Cup three times, winning in 1971, 2006 and most recently in 2023, when the Remparts capped a run of four straight Memorial Cup titles by QMJHL clubs — the longest championship streak by any CHL Member League since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972. Québec City has also served as a frequent stage for the event, staging the 1971 championship and hosting the Memorial Cup tournament in 1991, 2003 and 2015, while welcoming major CHL showcases such as the 2007 and 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Games and Canada/Russia Series contests in 2004 and 2011. The Remparts are also set to serve as one of two host clubs for the 2026 CHL USA Prospects Challenge, with Game 2 scheduled for Dec. 2 at Vidéotron Centre. The most recent Memorial Cup was held this past May in Kelowna, B.C., where the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Everett Silvertips 6-2 in the final to capture the third Memorial Cup title in franchise history. With the victory, Kitchener joined the Cornwall Royals, Kamloops Blazers, Windsor Spitfires, and London Knights as the only clubs to win three Memorial Cup titles since the tournament adopted its round-robin format in 1972. The championship marked Kitchener’s first since 2003, capped a perfect 4-0 run at the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, and extended the OHL’s Memorial Cup winning streak to three straight years following Saginaw in 2024 and London in 2025. Looking ahead, the 2027 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota will be hosted by the Guelph Storm of the OHL and staged in Guelph, Ontario, from Thursday, May 20, through Sunday, May 30, 2027. The 107th edition of the tournament will mark the Royal City’s third time hosting junior hockey’s premier championship and will coincide with Guelph’s bicentennial celebrations. About the Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is the Canadian Hockey League’s iconic championship event, bringing together the league champions of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), along with a host team, in a four-club round-robin tournament to crown the CHL champion. First awarded in 1919, the Memorial Cup has become one of the most storied and prestigious trophies in hockey, shaping more than a century of junior hockey history in North America. Originally donated by the Ontario Hockey Association to honour Canadian soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, the trophy was rededicated in 2010 to commemorate all fallen members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, the Memorial Cup stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance, sacrifice, and national pride, while showcasing the best junior hockey talent in the world.

VP Sports & Entertainment presents: 2025 WHL Player of the Year Gavin McKenna inks entry-level contract with Toronto Maple Leafs

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 14:29:46 +0000

2025 WHL Player of the Year and 2026 NHL first-overall pick Gavin McKenna has put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the club announced Friday. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound winger is the first player with WHL experience to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft since Regina Pats star Connor Bedard in 2023. "I think pressure is a privilege," McKenna said in a press conference after the pick was announced by pop star Justin Bieber on June 26. "When you go to a fan base like that, and you do well, it's the best spot to be. I mean, you said it's the biggest market out there, so I'm confident in myself, and I want to do good, so hopefully the fan base falls in love with me." McKenna, 18, broke into the WHL after being selected by Medicine Hat first overall in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft and put the league on notice with four assists in his debut in a call-up appearance. His first full season saw him bury 97 points (34G-63A) in 61 games and earn WHL Rookie of the Year and WHL East Division First Team All-Star honours. The Whitehorse, Yukon product erupted for 129 points (41G-88A) in 51 games in his sophomore spin to finish second in the league scoring race and help the Tigers top the Eastern Conference. The 2025 WHL Playoffs saw McKenna log a monster 38 points (9G-29A) in 16 playoff matches to help the Tabbies win the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions. He was also named the WHL and CHL Player of the Year and wrapped up his WHL career with a whopping 244 points (79G-165A) in 133 regular-season games. At the international level, McKenna has collected gold for Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and bronze at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he registered 14 points (4G-10A) in seven outings. He spent 2025-26 with the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he was named a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist. McKenna is the first WHL alumnus to be selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs since franchise legend Wendel Clark (Saskatoon Blades) topped the 1985 NHL Draft.

Regina Pats sign Montreal Canadiens Prospect Parker Trottier to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:57:42 +0000

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is proud to announce the signing of forward Parker Trottier to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Trottier, 18, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round (189th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft this past weekend. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound left-shot forward joins the Pats after spending the 2025-26 season with the U.S. National Under-18 Team, recording 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 61 games.

A native of Edina, Minnesota, Trottier is committed to the University of Notre Dame and was originally selected by the Pats with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. Prior to joining USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, he developed at Shattuck-St. Mary's, one of the premier hockey programs in the United States, from 2022-24.

Trottier also has deep Saskatchewan roots. He is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, the Val Marie, Sask. product who captured six Stanley Cups during his legendary NHL career. Bryan also played junior hockey in the WHL with the Swift Current Broncos and Lethbridge Broncos.

"We're thrilled to welcome Parker and his family to the Regina Pats organization," said Pats General Manager Dale Derkatch. "Parker plays a fast, direct game and is an exceptionally intelligent player. He's the type of player who can contribute in every situation. He competes hard, is responsible in all three zones, and does a lot of the little things that help teams win. We're excited to see him continue his development in Regina."

The Regina Pats welcome Parker and the entire Trottier family to the organization.

Americans sign forward Brock Cheslock to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:49:16 +0000

Calgary Hitmen sign Penguins prospect Carter Sanderson to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:10:13 +0000

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen have signed 2007-born forward Carter Sanderson to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Sanderson, 18, joins the Hitmen after spending the past two seasons with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he served as captain during the 2025-26 season. The Pierre, South Dakota native recorded 34 points (17G, 17A) in 54 regular-season games while leading the Lumberjacks to the Clark Cup Final. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound power forward is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2027-28 season and was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.

“We are excited that Carter has chosen the Hitmen as the next step in his development,” said Calgary Hitmen General Manager Cass Bruni. “He is a talented power forward who contributes in all situations.

“Carter is also a high-character individual who has shown strong leadership qualities. We believe he will be an impactful addition to our organization both on and off the ice.”

“I've loved my time in Muskegon – the community, the ownership, coaches, teammates, fans, and my billet family. I couldn't have asked for better,” said Sanderson. “As I look to my future in hockey, I need to get out of my comfort zone and experience new aspects of the game. I'm looking forward to that opportunity in Calgary.”

CARTER SANDERSON – FORWARD

HOMETOWN: Pierre, South Dakota

DOB: September 12, 2007 HEIGHT: 6’2”

WEIGHT: 196 lbs

SHOOTS: Left

Regular Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2025-26	Muskegon Lumberjacks	USHL	54	17	17	34	88
2024-25	Muskegon Lumberjacks	USHL	48	5	8	11	62
2023-24	Sioux Falls Power 16UAAA	16U AAA	65	36	37	73	-

Ten players with WHL experience, incoming skaters to represent United States at 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:23:58 +0000

The march to the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship is on. USA Hockey has invited 10 WHL-developed players and incoming skaters to take part in the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase, which runs from July 26-August 1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ont. The group includes six NHL prospects, highlighted by reigning WHL Rookie of the Year JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers), who was selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Hurlbert is joined by Jacob Kvasnicka (Penticton Vees / New York Islanders), Carter Sanderson (Calgary Hitmen / Pittsburgh Penguins), Logan Stuart (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Washington Capitals), Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings / Seattle Kraken) and Timofei Runtso (Victoria Royals / Montreal Canadiens). Sanderson and Stuart have recently signed WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements and are preparing to embark upon their rookie seasons in the WHL. 2025 WHL Champion and 2027 NHL Draft-eligible forward Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (Medicine Hat Tigers) is the lone Utahn to earn the invitation. USA Hockey plans to split its 47 invitees into two teams (Team Blue and Team White) for the beginning of the World Junior Summer Showcase before trimming the group to a consolidated roster for the final three games. The Summer Showcase will feature teams from Canada, Finland and Sweden. The 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer and kicks off on December 26, 2026.

Last Name	First Name	Team	Hometown	Ht	Wt	Pos
Gordon-Carroll	Shaeffer	Medicine Hat Tigers	Salt Lake City, Utah	6'0	189	F
Hurlbert	JP	Kamloops Blazers	Allen, Texas	6'0	182	F
Kvasnicka	Jacob	Penticton Vees	Burnsville, Minn.	5'11	170	F
Sanderson	Carter	Calgary Hitmen	Pierre, S.D.	6'2	196	F
Stuart	Logan	Lethbridge Hurricanes	Manhattan Beach, Calif.	5'11	173	F
Fiddler	Blake	Edmonton Oil Kings	Frisco, Texas	6'5	210	D
Runtso	Timofei	Victoria Royals	Marina Del Ray, Calif.	6'2	185	D
Vauhkonen	Odin	Victoria Royals	Costa Mesa, Calif.	6'1	189	D
Boettiger	Harrison	Kelowna Rockets	Wheat Ridge, Col.	6'2	181	G
Wendt	Xavier	Tri-City	Plymouth, Minn.	6'1	179	G

VP Sports & Entertainment presents: 2024 WHL Champion Calvert signs on with Pittsburgh Penguins

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:50:00 +0000

Atley Calvert could barely get the words out as cheers rained down from the stands in the Temple Gardens Centre. Sure, the Moose Jaw Warriors had been a solid team, but few had expected them to knock off the regular-season champion Saskatoon Blades in the Eastern Conference Championship, let alone sweep the powerhouse Portland Winterhawks in the Championship Series. But they did. And Calvert, the hometown boy in his final season of WHL eligibility, had played a key role in bringing the Warriors their first WHL Championship in franchise history. "I can't even describe it," Calvert said. "So much work has gone into this. We've been together for the past four years and to see it all come to an end like this is something truly special." https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1789481241168720009 In the two seasons since, Calvert has continued to put in the work- and it's paying off. The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed the 22-year-old to a two-year, entry-level contract, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced Wednesday. It's a big step forward for the 6-foot-1, 194-pound forward who broke into professional hockey as an undrafted free agent. Calvert is coming off his first full season with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he posted 16 goals (including one game-winner and a shorthanded strike) and 22 assists for 38 points and a +19 rating in 70 games. He finished sixth on the team in points and goals while ranking fourth in assists and plus/minus. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Calvert chipped in another six points (3G-3A) in 15 outings. https://twitter.com/TheAHL/status/2061854975039258692 His rookie pro season saw him split time between the AHL and the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers. Calvert's dogged mentality stretched back to his junior hockey days, where he made the Warriors as an undrafted skater. He went on to carve out an important role for the team, logging 105 goals and 115 assists for 220 points over 237 games in parts of five seasons. Calvert's final season saw him crack the 2024 WHL East Division Second All-Star Team after a 95-point (47G-48) campaign. The 2024 WHL Playoffs saw him step up again with 20 points (8G-12A) in 20 games, where Moose Jaw developed a reputation for wild multi-goal comebacks. Calvert had a goal and two assists as the Warriors stormed back from a 4-2 deficit to defeat Brandon 5-4 in overtime in Game 2, and assisted the overtime goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship to send his team to the big dance. He signed an AHL deal with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton just weeks after the end of the WHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup.

Tigers sign Osgood to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:56:41 +0000

Medicine Hat, Alta - The Medicine Hat Tigers are proud to announce the signing of 2011-born forward Max Osgood (Plymouth, MI) to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. "Osgood is a smart, agile forward with quickness and slippery skill. He’s hard on pucks, possesses strong vision, and reads the ice well. A detail-oriented player who competes at both ends of the rink." said Assistant General Manager Bobby Fox. "We are really excited with this signing and see Max as a key piece to our team moving forward." The 5-foot-9 center was drafted 21st overall in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft. In his 2025-26 campaign with the Little Caesars 14U AAA of the MAHA 14U league he totalled 43 points in 20 games and capped off his season with the league championship. "Max is an elite two-way player that we expect to be a big part of our future." said General Manager and Head Coach Willie Desjardins. "The Osgood name is a special name in Tigers history and we are really excited to have Max sign with us." Max's father, Chris Osgood, was a goaltender for the Tigers from 1988 to 1992. He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round (54th overall) of the 1991 NHL Draft, and went on to be one of the greats in Red Wings history. Across 744 NHL games Osgood totalled 401 wins and 50 shutouts, posting a .905 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average. Osgood is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion and a two-time winner of the William M Jennings Trophy. The Tigers are excited to welcome Max to the organization and look forward to his continued development as part of Medicine Hat’s growing core of young talent.

Rockets sign defenceman Dane Sorensen to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:40:48 +0000

Kelowna, B.C. — The Kelowna Rockets have signed 2007-born defenceman Dane Sorensen to a WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement. Earlier this offseason, the Rockets acquired Sorensen's rights from the Victoria Royals. Sorensen, 19, is a 6'1", 183-pound left-shot defenceman from Los Angeles, California. He spent the 2025-26 season split between the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL and the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL. In Sioux Falls, the blue-liner established himself as a physical presence, posting 91 penalty minutes in 41 games. After moving to Brooks, he recorded a goal and eight assists for nine points in 12 regular-season games before taking his play to another level in the postseason. Sorensen added a goal and four assists for five points and 32 penalty minutes in 13 playoff games, averaging close to 19 minutes a night during the Bandits' championship-clinching final series against the Nanaimo Clippers, helping Brooks claim the 2025-26 BCHL title. The season prior, Sorensen won the US 18U National Tier I Championship with Shattuck-St. Mary's 18U Prep, giving him back-to-back championship seasons entering his WHL career. Sorensen's path to this point runs through one of the most respected development programs in North American hockey. He spent five seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary's from the 14U AAA level through the 18U Prep program, accumulating 261 games of experience and consistent growth at each level before stepping into junior hockey. That foundation has produced a player who is reliable and detailed in his own end, strong on the puck, physical in front of the net, and difficult to play against. He is an effective penalty killer who uses his size, leverage, and active stick to disrupt opponents' plays. While his defensive game is his calling card, he has shown the ability to contribute offensively and move the puck efficiently out of his own zone. "Dane is the type of defenceman that makes your team harder to play against," said President & General Manager Bruce Hamilton. "He's physical, he competes every shift, and he has a high hockey IQ in his own end. The experience he has from winning championships in back-to-back seasons tells you about the competitor he is. We are excited to get him to Kelowna." Sorensen previously played alongside Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger on the Shattuck-St. Mary's 14U AAA program during the 2021-22 season, an existing connection that should help ease his transition into the organization.