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, February 1.

Vanhanen, an 18-year-old product of Nokia, Finland, posted five points (2G-3A) and a plus-5 rating in three games as the Silvertips went 3-0-0-0 this past week.

Though this marks the first time Vanhanen has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week, he was previously recognized as Tempo WHL Player of the Week, Fuelled by Co-op, on Monday, October 6.

Ranked 76th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, Vanhanen registered four points (1G-3A) Saturday, January 31, in the Battle of the Sound, as the Silvertips bounced the Seattle Thunderbirds by a 5-1 score in front of more than 7,000 fans at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. With one second remaining in the first period, Vanhanen found the back of the net, registering his 11th goal of the season to give Everett a 2-0 lead. Early in the second period, he set up Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear on a power play, extending the advantage to 3-0. In the opening moments of the third period, Vanhanen tallied another helper, this time on a power-play effort from Rylan Gould. The first-year Finn rounded out his night with another primary assist on a marker from defenceman Kayd Ruedig.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound left winger found the back of the net once again Sunday, February 1, as the Silvertips doubled up the Tri-City Americans by a 6-3 score back at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. With 41 seconds remaining in the first period, Vanhanen made the most of an opportunity to register his 12th goal of the season, giving Everett a commanding 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.

In his first WHL season, Vanhanen leads the Silvertips in scoring with 58 points (12G-46A) in 42 games. His 46 assists rank third among all WHL skaters.

Vanhanen was selected by the Silvertips in the first round (31st overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Earlier this season, he represented Finland at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting six assists in seven games.

Winners of seven consecutive games, the Silvertips lead the WHL with a record of 39-6-2-1.

Next up, Vanhanen and the Silvertips host the Kamloops Blazers (23-15-6-4) Friday, February 6 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Catch all the action 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

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.