2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Vanhanen named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Matias Vanhanen of the Everett Silvertips has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1.

This marks the second time this season Vanhanen has been recognized as Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week, after he was previously honoured February 2, 2026.

Vanhanen, an 18-year-old product of Nokia, Finland, recorded nine points (3G-6A) and a plus-7 rating in three games as the Silvertips went 3-0-0-0 during a busy weekend of U.S. Division competition, en route to locking up the No. 1 seed in the WHL’s Western Conference.

Ranked 76th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Vanhanen started his weekend Friday, February 27, with three points (2G-1A) in a resounding 8-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Vanhanen got Everett on the scoreboard with his 17th goal of the campaign 9:50 into the first period, tying the game 1-1. Late in the second period, Vanhanen set up Philadelphia Flyers prospect Luke Vlooswyk, as Everett pulled ahead 6-3 heading into the third period. Vanhanen tickled twine for the second time on the evening, registering his 18th goal of the season 1:12 into the third period, rounding out his damage on offense for the evening. He earned second star recognition for the performance.

Saturday, February 28, Vanhanen collected another three assists, factoring into every single Everett goal as the Silvertips skated to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds at accesso Showare Center. Vanhanen landed a secondary assist on a goal from Finnish linemate Julius Miettinen 1:25 into the third period, before setting up Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear for a game-tying goal on a power play with 14:12 remaining in regulation. In the extra period, Vanhanen sent Miettinen into the Seattle zone, and the big power forward took care of the rest, dancing three Seattle skaters before scoring the OT winner.

Closing out the weekend Sunday, March 1, at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Vanhanen recorded his third three-point outing of the weekend, securing a goal and two assists in a 6-4 Everett triumph over the Wild. Once again, Vanhanen and Miettinen were a force, with the draft-eligible forward setting up the Kraken prospect to open the scoring on a power play 1:35 into regulation. Midway through the first period, Vanhanen added another helper on a power-play tally by Rylan Gould to give Everett a 2-1 lead. After the Wild staked claim to a 4-3 lead through 40 minutes of play, the Silvertips used a late third period push to stun the hosts. After Miettinen tied the game with 5:20 to go in regulation, Vanhanen found the back of the net with his 19th goal of the season, putting the Silvertips in front 5-4 with only 2:31 to play. That strike stood up as the eventual game winner as Everett emerged with its third straight win of the weekend.

In his first WHL season, Vanhanen has racked up 80 points (19G-61A) in 54 games, leading the Silvertips in scoring while ranking fifth among all WHL skaters.

Originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (31st overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Vanhanen recently represented Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass.

With a record of 50-7-2-1, the Silvertips have locked up the No. 1 seed in the WHL’s Western Conference and are the first team in the WHL and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to reach the 50-win plateau this season.

Next up, Vanhanen and the Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks (27-26-5-1) Friday, March 6 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Watch every second of this all-important U.S. Division tilt for FREE on Victory+.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

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

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.