WHL Power Rankings: Week 11
Last week’s Power Rankings were just so professional and well-researched.
It’s going to be a tough act to follow, but dang it, we’ll give it a shot.
1. Everett Silvertips
1st U.S.- 21-3-2-1
The U.S. Division is the WHL gold standard right now… and the silver… and the bronze.
American teams have claimed the top three spots this week, with Everett continuing its Power Rankings reign.
The Tips are 8-0-1-1 in their last 10 games, including a pair of 7-1 wins against the Vancouver Giants and the Kamloops Blazers.
Dominik Rymon led the team with three goals and three assists- including a shorthanded goal in his 100th WHL game.
Tyler MacKenzie and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible Carter Bear are also both top five in the league in points with 42 and 45, respectively.
2. Spokane Chiefs
3rd U.S.- 18-9-0-0
This is Sparta Spokane.
The Chiefs have won six straight games- four of which came on home ice- to go 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 outings.
Most recently, Spokane dished the Portland Winterhawks back-to-back losses, with Captain Berkly Catton picking up two goals and two assists.
The Seattle Kraken prospect is nine goals away from 100 in his career, but he may have to wait a little longer to hit the milestone as he prepares to travel to Ottawa in hopes of snagging a spot on Team Canada for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.
3. Tri-City Americans
2nd U.S.- 18-6-1-0
The find-a-way Ams shocked Wenatchee when Carter MacAdams broke a four-four stalemate with the game-winning goal with 10 seconds left in a dramatic match on November 29.
However, the Wild bit back with a 5-2 win of their own in a rematch the following night.
Brandon Whynott and Jordan Gavin have continued to find ways to fill the net, along with WHL Rookie of the Month Gavin Garland, who has eight points in his last six games.
Tri-City will continue a four-game homestand as they welcome the Vancouver Giants on Friday night.
4. Saskatoon Blades
1st East- 17-6-1-2
The Blades picked up five of a possible six points this week by beating Lethbridge 4-1 before slipping by Swift Current in a 4-3 shootout and falling to Red Deer in another shootout.
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner nearly snagged his second shutout of the season against the Hurricanes but settled for WHL Goaltender of the Month honours instead.
Toronto Maple Leafs pick Brandon Lisowsky scored 16 seconds into Wednesday’s tilt against rival Red Deer for his 250th career point, and Tanner Molendyk has been in fine form ahead of his second swing at World Juniors.
The smooth-skating Nashville Predators prospect is one of the most hotly-anticipated blueliners attending Hockey Canada’s selection camp after making the squad last year before an injury held him out of the tournament.
5. Medicine Hat Tigers
1st Central- 16-11-1-0
Psst… The Tigers have quietly become the second-highest-scoring team in the WHL, averaging just over four goals a game.
Medicine Hat has points in four straight games and wins in three to maintain their Central Division lead.
WHL Player of the Week Gavin McKenna continues to pace the league with 57 points- 28 of which have come in 12 consecutive outings.
McKenna potted his first hat trick of the season in a 7-3 win over Calgary on Saturday and dazzled fans by capping off a four-goal comeback against Swift Current by potting the game-winner with 16 seconds left.
Get this- with a late birthday, McKenna will still be 16 years old when he travels to Ottawa to fight for a spot on Canada’s World Juniors squad.
6. Calgary Hitmen
3rd Central- 13-8-3-1
Calgary wasn’t too happy with their effort against Medicine Hat and channeled that frustration into a 9-0 win against the Moose Jaw Warriors on December 1.
Captain and San Jose Sharks prospect got the Teddy Bear Toss goal *and* a separate Gordie Howe Hat Trick in front of more than 17,000 fans.
But it wasn’t just raining bears- the hats came down on the ice as new acquisition and Pittsburgh Penguins Tanner Howe scored his first three goals in a Hitmen sweater (He also got the World Juniors nod).
To cap it all off, rookie Anders Miller earned WHL Goaltender of the Week honours with his first two career wins and a 19-save shutout.
Hitmen defenceman and Calgary Flames draft pick Axel Hurtig is also tagged to represent Sweden at the upcoming World Juniors.
7. Victoria Royals
1st B.C.- 15-8-3-2
The Royals have jumped the Prince George Cougars for first in the B.C. Division after allowing a paltry four goals in three games, while snagging five of a possible six points.
NHL ‘A’-rated prospect Cole Reschny had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 shootout loss to Seattle before putting up a total of six assists in a 6-1 defeat of Seattle and 7-1 takedown of the Regina Pats.
Not to be outdone, veteran Brayden Boehm had four goals and four assists on the week as he closes in on his 100th WHL point.
Up next, the Royals will host the Kelowna Rockets as they continue a six-game homestand.
8. Red Deer Rebels
2nd Central- 14-10-1-2
After a tough U.S. Division road trip, it would’ve been easy for Red Deer to tap out and cruise into the holiday break.
Instead, the Rebels have dug in to go 5-1-0-0 in their last six games north of the border.
2025 NHL Draft-Eligible forward Matthew Gard had a major assist and scored the shootout-winner against rival Saskatoon in Wednesday Night in the Dub, while Nashville Predators prospect Kalan Lind has a goal and three assists in his first two games back.
Between the pipes, Minnesota Wild prospect Chase Wutzke made exactly 100 saves in three games, earning first star twice and putting up a monster .926 save percentage to go with his three wins.
9. Lethbridge Hurricanes
4th Central- 13-10-1-1
Despite falling to the Blades 4-1 and the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2, Lethbridge’s stock is climbing.
The Canes have pulled of the biggest move of the season- so far- by adding a pair of 2024 WHL Champions in Brayden Yager and Jackson Unger.
That’s the third member of the 2024 Moose Jaw Warriors Lethbridge has acquired, with Anaheim Ducks prospect Vojtech Port coming over in early November.
Unger made 18 saves in a 5-3 win against his former team on December 3, while Yager picked up the empty net goal.
They’ve got a spicy Central Division matchup on tap as the Tigers roll into Lethbridge on Friday.
10. Prince George Cougars
2nd B.C.- 13-8-3-2
Regroup time.
The Cougars are on a season-high three-game pointless streak after falling 3-2 to the Rebels and getting blanked 5-0 by the Edmonton Oil Kings.
There are few positives to take away from this week- other than rookie Carson Carels getting his second WHL goal- but the last time the Cougars were shut out 5-0, they followed it up with an 8-1 victory.
So the Pats better be ready for a storm when they face off against the Cats on Friday night.
11. Prince Albert Raiders
4th East- 11-9-3-0
The Raiders don’t sweat in tight situations.
Prince Albert picked up one-goal wins over Swift Current (6-5) and Lethbridge (3-2) before getting clipped by Red Deer (3-2).
St. Louis Blues prospect Tomas Mrsic earned his second hat trick of the season against the Broncos and scored his 50th career goal against the Hurricanes.
He’s also pacing all WHLers with 10 powerplay markers.
12. Swift Current Broncos
2nd East- 14-11-0-1
It just wasn’t Swift Current’s week.
The Broncos fell to Prince Albert (6-5), Saskatoon (4-3 SO) and Medicine Hat (4-3).
Unfortunately, they also struck first and had a healthy lead in every game.
Seattle Kraken prospect Clarke Caswell had three goals and two assists to hit 100 career helpers and the team will look to get back in the win column against Moose Jaw on Friday.
13. Brandon Wheat Kings
3rd East- 12-8-3-1
Brandon struggled as it started a road trip by falling to Medicine Hat (7-5) and Red Deer (5-1) before closing things out with a big 5-1 win over Edmonton.
Jaxon Jacobson was named WHL Rookie of the Week after putting up two goals and four assists for six points in three games, while Brady Turko shined with two goals and an assist in the victory against the Oil Kings.
The Wheat Kings still boast two of the most statistically sound netminders in the league, but they’ll be temporarily losing Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carson Bjarnson as he joins Seattle’s Scott Ratzlaff (Buffalo Sabres) as they vie for roster spots on Team Canada for World Juniors.
14. Edmonton Oil Kings
5th Central- 12-12-1-1
Edmonton took tough losses at the hands of the Hitmen (4-2) and Wheat Kings (5-1) but had a shining moment with a 5-0 win over the Cougars.
Florida Panthers prospect Gracyn Sawchyn and projected 2025 NHL first-round draft pick Blake Fiddler had a goal and an assist each as the Oil Kings posted their second 5-0 win in less than two weeks.
Stick taps are also in order for rookie Parker Snell, who turned aside all 29 shots faced for a shutout victory in his WHL debut, and Fiddler, who will try out to represent the United States at World Juniors this winter.
15. Portland Winterhawks
4th U.S.- 13-11-2-0
Despite back-to-back losses, Portland is keeping pace in the Western Conference playoff race thanks to a 6-4 win over Kelowna on November 29.
Captain Kyle Chyzowski is continuing his career-best season with three goals on the week, while Josh Zakreski also lit the lamp three times.
Now, they’re heading back to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum to host the Vancouver Giants for a pair of matches this weekend.
Speaking of…
16. Vancouver Giants
3rd B.C.- 11-10-4-0
Vancouver is looking to get back on track after a disappointing end to November.
The Giants kicked off December by splitting a 5-2 win against Seattle with a 5-3 loss to Regina.
Rookie defenceman Ryan Lin chipped in four assists while Adam Titlbach and Ty Halaburda added two goals each.
Top 2025 NHL Draft prospect Cameron Schmidt also picked up his 24th goal of the year to stay atop the WHL goals race, by Shea Van Olm and Carter Bear are hot on his heels.
The Giants will hit the road for a clash against Tri-City on Friday night.