Western Hockey League - Feed

Medicine Hat signs Panthers prospect Arvid Drott To WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 20:05:17 +0000

Medicine Hat, Alta., - The Medicine Hat Tigers are proud to announce the signing of 2007-born forward Arvid Drott to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. “We’re excited to welcome Arvid to the Tigers. He’s a powerful skater with speed and strength to create separation." said Assistant General Manager Bobby Fox. "He brings skill and jam to his game, plays hard, and is effective along the walls and in puck battles. His puck protection, touch, and instincts around the net will make him a valuable addition to our group” The Stockholm, Sweden native was drafted with the 59th overall pick of the 2026 CHL Import Draft. He was also selected by the Florida Panthers in the sixth round (192nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. Drott has performed great over his past two seasons with Djurgårdens IF U20 posting 25 points in 28 games in 2025-26 and 36 points in 40 games in 2024-25. The 6-foot right winger has also represented Sweden on the national level, winning a Bronze Medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, A Silver Medal at the World Junior A Challenge, the U18 Men’s World Challenge, and the Swedish TV-Pucken tournament. The Tigers are excited to welcome Arvid to the organization and look forward to his continued development as part of Medicine Hat’s growing core of young talent.

McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective: Edmonton Oil Kings

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:29:03 +0000

Tucked into a densely treed area just off Range Road 32 is the Duffield School. The Kindergarten-Grade 9 school's body of 285 students is nearly five times the population of the hamlet of Duffield. It's a lively hub for kids living in rural communities, and though it's small, its heart certainly outpaces its size. In early March, Oil Kings defencemen Rhys Pederson and Austin Zemlak made the 64-kilometre voyage to spend a day reading books to eager students. “I still remember how happy I was when I got to interact with junior hockey players as a young kid,” Pederson, who hails from Stettler, Alta., reminisced. "I have absolutely no doubt that going to these smaller communities leaves a lasting impact on the kids for a long time." One week later, it was the students hitting the road for the Oil Kings' annual Hockey Hooky Game. More than 17,600 people from 135 schools as far away as Grande Prairie packed Rogers Arena for the marquee match, which saw the Oil Kings defeat the Wenatchee Wild 6-1. For many of the 58 students from Duffield School in attendance, it was their first time inside the NHL building. "They were so excited," Duffield School teacher Jennifer Gelinas told CTV News. "They've been talking about it all week, and we're just really thankful for the opportunity to be here." For their part, the Oil Kings hope to see the partnership continue for years to come, with plans to visit the school for a game of ball hockey already coming together.

The Western Hockey League strives to promote and foster a welcoming environment in communities close to our 23 teams in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Each club has the creative freedom to allow its players and staff to work with the organizations and groups that they are most passionate about. The end goal is to create and maintain long-lasting relationships and ongoing partnerships within their community. Through McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective, we aim to highlight these outstanding initiatives done by each club throughout the season.

Vees acquire Kings defensive prospect Pantelas in major trade with Wheat Kings

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:55:52 +0000

After putting the league on notice with a CHL record-setting inaugural season, the Penticton Vees are ready to prove year one was no fluke. The reigning B.C. Division champs have bolstered their blueline by adding Los Angeles Kings prospect Giorgos Pantelas in a trade with the Brandon Wheat Kings. In return, the Wheat Kings will receive the rights to 2010-born forward Carter Morris, a first-round pick in the 2029 WHL Prospects Draft, a conditional first-round selection in 2030, and a third-round pick in 2028.

Pantelas posted six goals and 31 assists for 31 points and a +19 rating in 68 regular-season games in 2025-26. Describing himself as a defensive defenceman with goals of developing his offensive touch, the 18-year-old finished second in scoring among Brandon defencemen while being trusted with increased minutes against opponents' top lines.

He was originally selected by the Wheat Kings with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.

Pantelas, who was born in Quebec but raised in B.C., has also represented Canada in a gold medal-winning turn at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

He won bronze for his country at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and suited up for the 2025 CHL USA Prospects Challenge and 2026 WHL Prospects Game, where he scored on the powerplay to help Team East to a 5-4 overtime win.

Los Angeles selected the 6-foot-2, 211-pound, right-shot defender with the 153rd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Penticton selected Morris, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound forward, with the fourth overall selection in the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

The Anchorage, Alaska product has spent the last two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary's.

Penticton shattered the CHL record for wins by a club in its inaugural season with a 44-14-6-4 record.

The Vees topped the B.C. Division and finished second in the Western Conference, while going on to reach the Western Conference Championship in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.

Brandon hit its stride in the second half of the campaign to go 40-26-2-0, good enough for a second-place finish in the East Division.

The Wheat Kings will open the 2026-27 season at home on Friday, September 18 as they host the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Penticton will kick off its sophomore WHL season on the road as they visit their playoff foes in Prince George.

The 2026-27 WHL season will stream for free on Victory+.

Regina Pats sign import defenceman Tomas Cermak

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:16:44 +0000

Regina, Sask. – The Regina Pats Hockey Club is pleased to announce the signing of defenceman Tomas Cermak to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement.

Cermak, 18, was selected by the Pats in the second round (85th overall) of the 2026 CHL Import Draft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-shot defenceman from Plzeň, Czechia, spent the 2025-26 season with BK Mladá Boleslav U20 in the Czech U20 league, tallying five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 48 games. Cermak was also ranked 82nd among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

"We're very excited to get Tomas signed to a WHL Standard Player Education and Development Agreement," said Regina Pats General Manager Dale Derkatch. "I'm really looking forward to seeing Tomas in a Pats sweater as we feel he has the tools to be a dependable two-way defenceman for our squad."

Cermak becomes the latest addition to the Pats' growing young core as the Club continues preparations for the 2026-27 WHL season.

The Regina Pats would like to welcome Tomas and his family to the organization.

Royals, Hurricanes complete trade involving Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Filip Novak

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:16:56 +0000

Victoria, B.C., – The Victoria Royals announced today that they have acquired 2008-born forward Filip Novak from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for Victoria’s 2028 and a 2030 3rd round selections. Novak, who hails from Chomutov, Czechia, is a prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, having been drafted 206th overall in the 7th round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. A product of the HC Sparta Praha system, he spent time this past season with the Men’s and U20 side before being loaned to HC Stadion Litomerice in the Czech 2nd league. Across the leagues this year, he totalled 39 points (11 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games, and scored six points (four goals, two assists) in 10 playoff games. “Filip is a dynamic offensive player that we feel will be a key driver in our forward group“ said Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger. “We are very excited to add him to our team”. Novak has represented his native Czechia in a variety of international tournaments, including earning a silver medal at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games held in Gangwon Province, South Korea. The 6’1, 198 lbs. forward also played for Czechia at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, capping off the tournament by scoring a point per game. As a result of the move, the Royals have put 2007-born defenceman Mykola Kosarev on import waivers to get down to the allotted three import players clubs are allowed to carry.

Hitmen ink Flames prospect Jakob Leander to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:28:48 +0000

Calgary, Alta. – The Calgary Hitmen have signed Swedish defenceman and Calgary Flames prospect Jakob Leander to a WHL Scholarship and Development agreement.

Leander was selected by the Calgary Hitmen with the 48th overall pick in the 2026 CHL Import Draft.

The 6-foot-4 defenceman was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the seventh round (208th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft. A native of Jönköping, Sweden, Leander spent the past three seasons developing in the HV71 program. During the 2025–26 season, the 18-year-old recorded 12 points (2G, 10A) in 36 games with HV71's U20 team.

"We are excited to officially welcome Jakob to our organization," said Calgary Hitmen General Manager Cass Bruni. "He complements our existing group of defencemen as a hard-to-play-against, right-shot defender. His size, competitiveness, and ability to defend make him a valuable addition to our blue line."

JAKOB LEANDER – DEFENCE

HOMETOWN: Jönköping, Sweden

DOB: March 1, 2008

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 209 lbs

SHOOTS: Right

Regular Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
2025-26	HV71 U20	U20 Nationell	36	2	10	12	61
2024-25	HV71 J18	J18 Region	13	0	4	4	10

Royals sign Czech forward Marek Peroutka to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:27:38 +0000

Victoria, B.C., – The Victoria Royals announced the signing of 2007-born forward Marek Peroutka to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Peroutka, who stands at 6’4, 194 lbs., was selected by Victoria with the 58th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft on June 30th. Hailing from Most, Czechia, Peroutka grew up in the HC Litvinov system, playing this season primarily for the U20 team and making his Men’s league debut this past February. In 52 games this past season, Peroutka scored 26 goals and 19 assists for 45 points and followed it up with four points in four games in the playoffs, including the primary assist on overtime winning goal that helped Litvinov U20 stay in their current league.

Blades sign Flyers prospect Martin Psohlavec to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:10:36 +0000

Saskatoon, Sask., – The Saskatoon Blades are thrilled to announce the signing of 2008-born goaltender Martin Psohlavec to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreement. The Ostrov, CZE native was drafted by the Blades in the first round (42nd overall) of the 2026 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft. “Martin was the number one player on our list for the last several months,” said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, “Myself and Jeff Harvey have gotten to know him, and he’s just an outstanding kid full of energy and enthusiasm, on top of being a world-class goalie going in the second round at the NHL Draft. Martin really wanted to be in Saskatoon, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him join our club." The 18-year-old netminder was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in June. Psohlavec attended his first NHL Development Camp a few days later with the Flyers. The 6-foot-5 goalie played for HC Energie Karlovy Vary of the U20 Czechia League last season. Psohlavec appeared in 42 games and posted a 31-11-0 record, .928 save percentage (SV%), 1.92 goals against average (GAA), and eight shutouts. Psohlavec appeared in 12 games internationally with Czechia’s U18 squad, going 7-5-0 with a .910 SV%, 2.15 GAA, and one shutout. In four games at the U18 IIHF World Junior Championship, Psohlavec went 3-1-0 with a .926 SV% and 1.68 GAA. We want to extend a warm welcome to the Psohlavec family to the organization and look forward to watching Martin continue his development under the guidance of goalie coach Jeff Harvey and the rest of the coaching staff.

Thunderbirds sign Mammoth prospect Reko Alanko to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:23:27 +0000

Five current and incoming WHLers to participate in USA Hockey’s 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:00:42 +0000

Three current WHLers and one incoming skater will battle for a roster spot on Team USA for next month's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Gavin Burcar (Spokane Chiefs), Brooks DeMars (Penticton Vees), Kaeden Tate (Kamloops Blazers), future Brandon Wheat King Colin Grubb and soon-to-be Penticton Vee Whitaker Rewertz are among the 36 players invited to USA Hockey's Selection Camp in Saint Paul, Minn., starting on July 23. The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from August 3-8 in Edmonton, Alta. Burcar netted 17 points (7G-10A) in his rookie spin with the Spokane Chiefs and even netted his first WHL Playoff goal in the spring. Demars helped the Penticton Vees set a CHL record for wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season with 37 and tallied 13 points (6G-7A) of his own. Six-foot-4 goaltender Kaeden Tate got his feet wet in the league with a pair of appearances with the Blazers, going 2-0-0-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Brandon selected Grubb with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. The 17-year-old inked a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement in April of 2026 and will join the Wheat Kings starting in 2026-27. Whitaker, who signed with Penticton on June 30, has previously skated with his future Vees teammate DeMars at last year's USA S16 Tournament for Team Grey. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will see eight teams (Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States) go head-to-head at Edmonton's Downtown Community Arena and Rogers Place- the home of the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings. The United States will open their title defence against Czechia on Monday, August 3, 2026. Last year's tournament saw the United States capture gold for the second time in program history and the first time since 2003, with six WHLers - including NHL prospects Will McLaughlin (Portland Winterhawks / Vegas Golden Knights) and Noa Ta'amu (Edmonton Oil Kings / Winnipeg Jets)- helping to cap off the championship win. USA Hockey- 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp roster

Last Name	First Name	WHL Team	Hometown	Ht	Wt	Pos
Burcar	Gavin	Spokane Chiefs	Cota De Caza, Calif.	6'2	180	F
DeMars	Brooks	Penticton Vees	Hugo, Minn.	6'2	188	F
Grubb	Colin	Brandon Wheat Kings	Burlington, N.D.	6'0	185	F
Rewertz	Whitaker	Pencticton	Hibbing, Minn.	5'11	170	D
Tate	Kaeden	Kamloops Blazers	Huntington Beach, Calif.	6'4	185	G