Raiders defenceman Cripps named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Brock Cripps has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, April 26.

Cripps, a 16-year-old product of Victoria, B.C., recorded three assists in two games as the Raiders split the first two games of the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship presented by Nutrien.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound right-shot defenceman served as a catalyst Friday, April 24, as Prince Albert claimed a Game 1 triumph with a decision 8-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers at Art Hauser Centre. Cripps’ first helper came with 6:07 to go in the second period, as he factored into a power-play goal by San Jose Sharks prospect Max Heise. The marker gave the Raiders a 4-1 lead and went on to stand as the game-winning goal. Cripps stayed involved on offense, gathering another power-play assist 3:37 into the third period, this time on a goal by veteran forward Aiden Oiring. Cripps finished his evening with an even-strength assist on Oiring’s second tally of the night, giving the Raiders a 7-3 advantage with 4:20 remaining in the third period. Cripps was named second star of the game for his outstanding performance.

The first-year blueliner was held off the scoresheet in Game 2 as the Raiders dropped a 5-0 decision to the visiting Tigers.

With 13 points (3G-10A) in 11 WHL Playoff games, Cripps leads all rookie defencemen in scoring. His 13 points are also good enough to see him tied for second in scoring among all Raiders, trailing 2026 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Daxon Rudolph and his team-leading 14 points (5G-9A). With 10 helpers, Cripps leads the Raiders this postseason.

Cripps enjoyed a stellar rookie season in the WHL, posting 37 points (6G-31A) in 62 games. He was named a finalist for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Rookie of the Year.

Originally selected by the Raiders in the first round (second overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Cripps has appeared in 66 career WHL regular season contests, tallying 38 points (6G-32A).

Cripps is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft.

The Raiders continue their pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup when the WHL’s Eastern Conference Championship resumes with Game 3 scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 (7 p.m. MT) at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat. Stream 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
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
March 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Easton Daneault, Lethbridge Hurricanes
March 16, 2026: Ben Harvey, Prince Albert Raiders
March 23, 2026: Poul Andersen, Red Deer Rebels
March 30, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders
April 6, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
April 13, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
April 20, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees

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.