October 6, 2017

WHL powers CW: 150 WHL graduates set to open Canada West season

Highlights:

A total of 150 Western Hockey League (WHL) graduates open the 2017-18 CW men’s hockey season this Friday
The WHL grads combined to play 31,364 career games in the WHL and represent 70 per cent of the 214 players on CW rosters to open the season
CW men’s hockey rosters continue to be powered by the WHL, as players make the most of their WHL Scholarship at some of Canada’s finest post-secondary institutions

EDMONTON – When the puck drops on the Canada West men’s hockey season this Friday, there will be no shortage of Western Hockey League graduates suiting up as student-athletes.

A total of 150 players with WHL experience open the 2017-18 season, with representation on all eight CW men’s hockey rosters. The WHL continues to power excellence on the ice and in the classroom across Western Canada. WHL graduates account for 70 per cent of the 214 players on CW rosters to start the season.

In total, the 150 WHL graduates now playing Canada West combined to play in 31,364 career WHL games.

Thanks to a combination of the WHL Scholarship program, a continued ability to develop on the ice, and the opportunity to earn a degree at some of Canada’s finest post-secondary institutions, Canada West hockey remains a premier destination for WHL graduates.

The WHL Scholarship program continues to supply WHL players with tuition, compulsory fees, and required textbooks for each season played in the WHL.

“The WHL and our member Clubs are very proud to continue offering our players the most comprehensive hockey scholarship program of its kind in North America today,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “WHL Clubs are fully committed to providing a world-class experience for our players, which includes the opportunity to pursue both their academic and hockey goals while playing top calibre hockey at the Canadian university level. The WHL is very pleased to have a record number of WHL graduates accessing their WHL Scholarship and continuing their hockey careers in the Canada West university hockey league.”

Among the 150 WHL graduates in Canada West this season are 32 players entering their first season of eligibility, illustrating the continued flow of talent to university hockey from the WHL – Western Canada’s premier development league.

Through Canada West’s continued partnership with the WHL, players are given the opportunity to pursue high level hockey and a degree simultaneously, allowing student-athletes to achieve their athletic and career goals. Canada West’s eight hockey members provide additional scholarship opportunities, as well as excellent coaching and academic support.

WHL graduates who made the most of their WHL Scholarship at Canada West schools now compete in pro leagues across North America and Europe, while others are making an impact in their communities in various professions.

“Canada West is excited to continue to build our partnership with the WHL,” stated CW Managing Director Rocky Olfert. “Thanks in large part to WHL graduates, CW men’s hockey is one of the best hockey products in Canada. The conference’s eight hockey members provide excellent opportunities for WHL grads to get an education and continue to develop as leaders.”

The Canada West men’s hockey regular season begins this Friday with a trio of games, including the Mount Royal Cougars and their 13 WHL grads taking on the defending CW champion Alberta Golden Bears and their 25 WHL products. The season opener is also the Canada West TV Game of the Week and can be seen for free at 7 p.m. MDT by visiting Canada West TV.

For fans looking to catch all the CW hockey action this season, Canada West TV passes are now available and can be purchased by clicking here.

WHL graduates in CW men’s hockey by the numbers:

31,364 – total number of WHL games played by the WHL graduates turned CW players
150 – number of WHL graduates on Canada West rosters to start the season
32 – CW players entering their first year of eligibility, who played in the WHL
22 – the number of WHL member clubs, all of whom are represented on a CW roster
15 – the number of WHL graduate goaltenders now playing in Canada West

Current CW players by most recent WHL club:

Brandon Wheat Kings – 3
Calgary Hitmen – 5
Edmonton Oil Kings – 7
Everett Silvertips – 6
Kamloops Blazers – 5
Kelowna Rockets – 5
Kootenay Ice – 11
Lethbridge Hurricanes – 8
Medicine Hat Tigers – 6
Moose Jaw Warriors – 11
Prince Albert Raiders – 7
Prince George Cougars – 8
Portland Winterhawks – 6
Regina Pats – 6
Red Deer Rebels – 3
Saskatoon Blades – 10
Seattle Thunderbirds – 8
Spokane Chiefs – 6
Swift Current Broncos – 9
Tri-City Americans – 2
Vancouver Giants – 8
Victoria Royals – 8

Former WHLers by Canada West member

Alberta Golden Bears – 25 WHLers (6,538 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team (total WHL GP)

Brendan Burke / G / 2/ Arts / Scottsdale, Arizona / Calgary Hitmen (170)
Clayton Kirichenko / D / 1 / Native Studies / Sherwood Park, Alta. / Medicine Hat Tigers (249)
Jason Fram / D / 2 /Arts / Delta, B.C. / Spokane Chiefs (346)
Graeme Craig / D / 3 / Business / Red Deer, Alta. / Prince Albert Raiders (336)
Sawyer Lange / D / 3 / Physical Educ. & Recreation / Prince Albert, SK / Prince Albert Raiders (260)
Ryan Rehill / D / 2 / Arts / Edmonton, Alta / Kamloops Blazers (265)
Stephane Legault / F / 4 / Business / Edmonton, Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings (228)
Jamie Crooks / F / 5 / Physical Educ. & Recreation / Vermillion, Alta. / Victoria Royals (314)
Taylor Cooper / F / 2 / Business / Sherwood Park, Alta. / Regina Pats (230)
Luke Philp / F / 2 / Native Studies / Canmore, Alta. / Red Deer Rebels (309)
Steven Owre / F / 1 / Native Studies / Rocklin, CA / Medicine Hat Tigers (322)
Riley Kieser / F / 4 / Engineering / Sherwood Park, Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings (201)
Jayden Hart / F / 3 / Business / Spruce Grove, Alta. / Prince Albert Raiders (247)
Tyson Baillie / F / 2 / Native Studies / Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. / Kelowna Rockets (393)
Brandon Magee / F / 2 / Open Studies / Edmonton, Alta. / Victoria Royals (345)
Trevor Cox / F / 2 / Arts / Surrey, BC / Vancouver Giants (365)
Ben Carroll / D / 2 / Business / Sherwood Park, Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings (203)
Wil Tomchuk / D / 3 / Business / Fort McMurray, Alta. / Prince George Cougars (132)
Cole Sanford / F / 2 / Arts / Coldstream, BC / Regina Pats (308)
Dylan Bredo / D / 4 / Business / Edmonton, Alta. / Medicine Hat Tigers (400)
Kenny Cameron / G / 4 / Business / Edmonton, Alta. / Medicine Hat Tigers (14)
Zach Sawchenko / G / 1 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Moose Jaw Warriors (194)
Lucas Nickles / F / 3 / Native Studies / Salmon Arm, BC / Tri-City Americans (290)
Cole Linaker / F / 2 / Arts / Edmonton, Alta. / Kelowna Rockets (315)
Nick Charif / D / 2 / Arts / Edmonton, Alta. / Spokane Chiefs (102)

British Columbia Thunderbirds – 22 WHLers (5,218 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team (total WHL GP)

Devan Fafard / D / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Carlyle, Sask. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (262)
Wes Vannieuwenhuizen / D / 5 / Kinesiology / Chilliwack, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (207)
Shaun Dosanjh / D / 1 / Arts / Richmond, B.C. / Portland Winterhawks (191)
Tanner Faith / D / 2 / Arts / Wilcox, Sask. / Moose Jaw Warriors (155)
Riley Guenther / D / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Calgary, Alta. / Prince Albert Raiders (86)
Manraj Hayer / F / 4 / Kinesiology / Vancouver, B.C. / Everett Silvertips (208)
Matt Revel / F / 1 / Arts / Abbotsford, B.C. / Portland Winterhawks (336)
Nick Buonassisi / F / 5 / Arts / Coquitlam, B.C. / Brandon Wheat Kings (346)
Kyle Becker / D / 3 / Kinesiology / Langley, B.C. / Medicine Hat Tigers (229)
Raymond Grewal / D / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Prince George, B.C. / PA Raiders (145)
Adam Rossignol / F / 4 / Arts / Surrey, B.C. / Portland Winterhawks (252)
Carter Popoff / F / 2 / Arts / Richmond, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (283)
Austin Vetterl / F / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Surrey, B.C. / Kootenay Ice (299)
Tyler Sandhu / F / 1 / Arts / Richmond, B.C. / Tri City Americans (332)
Austin Glover / F / 1 / Arts / Saskatoon, Sask. / Red Deer Rebels (248)
Chase Clayton / F / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Abbotsford, B.C. / Saskatoon Blades (267)
Joe Carvalho / D / 2 / Arts / Burnaby, B.C. / Prince George Cougars (254)
Josh Connolly / D / 3 / Sauder School of Business / Prince George, B.C. / Prince George Cougars (207)
Graham Millar / F / 1 / Arts / Penticton, B.C. / Edmonton Oil Kings (267)
Jerret Smith / D / 2 / Sauder School of Business / Surrey, B.C. / Seattle Thunderbirds (320)
Matt Hewitt / G / 5 / Arts / New Westminster, B.C. / Regina Pats (150)
Rylan Toth / G / 1 / Arts / Saskatoon, Sask. / Seattle Thunderbirds (174)

Calgary Dinos – 18 WHLers (5,128 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Dan Gibb / D / 5 / Arts / Prince George, B.C. / Prince George Cougars (270)
Ryan Gagnon / D / 1 / Arts / Quesnel, B.C. / Victoria Royals (358)
Drydn Dow / D / 5 / Kinesiology / Calgary, Alta. / Tri-City Americans (241)
Trent Lofthouse / F / 2 / Arts / Surrey, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (159)
Adam Kambeitz / F / 5 / Arts / Lethbridge, Alta. / Seattle Thunderbirds (349)
Cain Franson / F / 4 / Arts / Sicamous, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (257)
Chris Collins / F / 5 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Saskatoon Blades (219)
Tim Vanstone / F / 1 / Business / Swift Current, Sask. / Prince Albert Raiders (305)
Matt Alfaro / F / 1 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (290)
Coda Gordon / F / 3 / Business / Cochrane, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (273)
Riley Sheen / F / 1 / Arts / Edmonton, Alta. / Red Deer Rebels (273)
Logan Fisher / F / 2 / Arts / Red Deer, Alta. / Victoria Royals (321)
Ryan Graham / F / 1 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (270)
Luke Harrison / F / 2 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Prince George Cougars (253)
Josh Uhrich / F / 1 / Open Studies / Rosetown, Sask. / Seattle Thunderbirds (282)
Jared Hauf / D / 2 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Seattle Thunderbirds (383)
Jordan Papriny / G / 1 / Arts / Edmonton, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (282)
Dylan Busenius / D / 4 / Arts / Sherwood Park, Alta. / Saskatoon Blades (343)

Lethbridge Pronghorns – 20 WHLers (4,362 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Tyler Hansen / D / 3 / Arts & Science / Magrath, Alta. / Kamloops Blazers (283)
Dallas Valentine / D / 1 / Management / Lousana, Alta. / Kamloops Blazers (273)
Jeff Rayman / D / 1 / Management / Fernie, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (205)
Russell Maxwell / F / 2 / Arts & Science / Magrath, Alta. / Seattle Thunderbirds (287)
Spenser Jensen / D / 3 / Management / Airdrie, Alta. / Moose Jaw Warriors (254)
Ryan Chynoweth / F / 2 / Management / Calgary, Alta. / Kootenay Ice (233)
Dalton Sward / F / 3 / Arts & Science / Abbotsford, B.C. / Vancouver Giants (304)
Blake Orban / D / 3 / Management / Calgary, Alta. / Edmonton Oil Kings (271)
Jay Merkley / F / 3 / Arts/Education / Calgary, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (281)
Sam McKechnie / F / 3 / Management / Airdrie, Alta. / Saskatoon Blades (288)
Mitchell Maxwell / F / 5 / Arts/Education / Magrath, Alta. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (142)
Ryon Moser / F / 5 / Management / Calgary, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (260)
Clint Filbrandt / D / Arts & Science / Calgary, Alta. / Kootenay Ice (40)
Torrin White / F / Arts & Science / Medicine Hat, Alta. / Moose Jaw Warriors (257)
Bryson Gore / F / 3 / Management / Lethbridge, Alta. / Moose Jaw Warriors (137)
Evan Wardley / D / 2 / Arts & Science / Vulcan, Alta. / Seattle Thunderbirds (230)
Garret Hughson / G / 2 / Management / Foremost, Alta. / Spokane Chiefs (112)
Jonny Hogue / G / 1 / Arts & Science / Lethbridge, Alta. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (18)
Connor Sanvido / F / 4 / Arts & Science / Maple Ridge, B.C. / Saskatoon Blades (259)
Ty Edmonds / G / 1 / Arts & Science / Winnipeg, Man. / Prince George Cougars (229)

Manitoba Bisons – 13 WHLers (3,054 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Justin Paulic / G / 3 / Engineering / Thompson, Man. / Victoria Royals (153)
Adam Henry / D / 3 / Management / Winnipeg, Man. / Portland Winterhawks (265)
Rene Hunter / D / 4 / Arts / Ebb and Flow, Man. / Brandon Wheat Kings (266)
Nick Zajac / F / 2 / Management / Headingley, Man. / Saskatoon Blades (330)
Remi Laurencelle / F / 2 / University 1 / Winnipeg, Man. / Everett Silvertips (285)
Blake Heinrich / D / 2 / University 1 / Cambridge, Minn. / Portland Winterhawks (154)
Michael St. Croix / F / 3 / Management / Winnipeg, Man. / Edmonton Oil Kings (326)
Calvin Spencer / F / 1 / University 1 / Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Vancouver Giants (237)
Brett Brooks / F / 3 / Agriculture & Food Sciences / Winnipeg, Man. / Moose Jaw Warriors (69)
Lucas Skrumeda / D / 1 / University 1 / St. Andrews, Man. / Everett Silvertips (205)
Quintin Lisoway / F / 2 / University 1 / Neepawa, Man. / Brandon Wheat Kings (180)
Zach Franko / F / 3 / Kinesiology & Recreation Mgmt. / Winnipeg, Man. / Kootenay Ice (313)
Brett Stovin / F / 3 / Kin. & Recreation Mgmt. / Stony Mountain, Man. / Saskatoon Blades (271)

Mount Royal Cougars – 13 WHLers (2,691 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Taylor Green / D / 2 / Business / Port Coquitlam, B.C. / Moose Jaw Warriors (156)
Jesse Lees / D / 2 / Arts / Calgary, Alta. / Prince Albert Raiders (318)
David Stephens / F / 4 / Business / Whitehorse, YT / Edmonton Oil Kings (35)
Mitchell Lipon / F / 1 / Business / Regina, Sask. / Spokane Chiefs (76)
Tanner Olstad / F / 5 / Business / Calgary, Alta. / Regina Pats (140)
Austin Adamson / F / 1 / Arts / Vancouver, B.C. / Swift Current Broncos (134)
Ryley Lindgren / F / 1 / Science / East St. Paul, Man. / Swift Current Broncos (285)
Kord Pankewicz / D / 1 / Open Studies / Drayton Valley, Alta. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (249)
Jamal Watson / F / 2 / Business / Calgary, Alta. / Swift Current Broncos (328)
Connor Rankin / F / 3 / Business / North Vancouver, B.C. / Calgary Hitmen (381)
Cameron Lanigan / G / 5 / Business / Calgary, Alta. / Medicine Hat Tigers (176)
Wyatt Hoflin / G / 2 / Arts / Spruce Grove, Alta. / Kootenay Ice (179)
Connor Chartier / F / 3 / Business / Calgary, Alta. / Spokane Chiefs (234)

Regina Cougars – 15 WHLers (2,449 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Kirk Bear / D / 2 / Business Administration / Regina, Sask. / Prince George Cougars (81)
Isaac Schacher / D / 2 / Business Administration / Kimberley, B.C. / Saskatoon Blades (149)
Tyler King / D / 2 / Business Administration / Pilot Butte, Sask. / Kootenay Ice (257)
Austin Bourhis / D / 5 / Arts / Regina, Sask. / Moose Jaw Warriors (119)
Carter Hansen / D / 2 / Business Administration / Craven, Sask. / Regina Pats (271)
Zach McPhee / F / 4 / Arts / Vernon, B.C. / Kootenay Ice (196)
Brody Luhning / D / 5 / Kinesiology & Health Studies / Lumsden, Sask. / Calgary Hitmen (39)
Ben Duperreault / F / 1 / Education / Wilcox, Sask. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (147)
Christian Magnus / F / 5 / Kinesiology & Health Studies / Saskatoon, Sask. / SC Broncos (253)
Cody Fowlie / F / 5 / Arts / Regina, Sask. / Kelowna Rockets (227)
Landon Peel / D / 3 / Business Administration / Virden, Man. / Kootenay Ice (106)
Tyson Predinchuk / F / 2 / Business Administration / Regina, Sask. / Portland Winterhawks (87)
Dawson MacAuley / G / 3 / Business Administration / Prince Albert, Sask. / Regina Pats (59)
Zachary Zborosky / F / 1 / Business Administration / Regina, Sask. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (292)
Michael Herringer / G / 1 / Kinesiology & Health Studies / Courtenay, B.C. / Kelowna Rockets (166)

Saskatchewan Huskies – 24 WHLers (6,286 combined WHL games played)

Name / Position / Eligibility / Faculty / Hometown / Most recent WHL team

Kendall McFaull / D / 5 / Engineering / Rosetown, Sask. / Moose Jaw Warriors (294)
Connor Cox / D / 5 / Business / Lethbridge, Alta. / Everett Silvertips (305)
Colby Harmsworth / D / 2 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Calgary Hitmen (275)
Jesse Forsberg / D / 4 / Ag & Bioresources / Waldheim Sask. / Moose Jaw Warriors (307)
Jordan Fransoo / D / 4 / Ag & Bioresources / North Battleford, Sask. / Victoria Royals (285)
Tanner Lishchynsky / D / 2 / Ag & Bioresources / Saskatoon, Sask. / Kootenay Ice (180)
Jordan Tkatch / F / 2 / Arts & Science / Prud’homme, Sask. / Prince Albert Raiders (341)
Levi Cable / F / 3 / Business / Hudson Bay, Sask. / Kootenay Ice (291)
Collin Shirley / F / 1 / Arts & Science / Saskatoon, Sask. / Kamloops Blazers (362)
Connor Gay / F / 2 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Saskatoon Blades (246)
Carter Folk / F / 1 / Ag & Bioresources / Regina, Sask. / Victoria Royals (255)
Logan McVeigh / F / 3 / Ag & Bioresources / Kenaston, Sask. / Kamloops Blazers (340)
Michael Sofillas / F / 4 / Kinesiology / Morden, Man. / Lethbridge Hurricanes (119)
Carson Stadnyk / F / 2 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Everett Silvertips (314)
Jaimen Yakubowski / F / 3 / Ag & Bioresources / Dalmeny, Sask. / Moose Jaw Warriors (252)
Kohl Bauml / F / 3 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Everett Silvertips (294)
Andrew Johnson / F / 3 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Swift Current Broncos (294)
Sam Ruopp / D / 1 / Arts & Science / Zehner, Sask. / Prince George Cougars (272)
Wyatt Johnson / F / 2 / Business / Saskatoon, Sask. / Spokane Chiefs (250)
MacKenzie Johnston / D / 3 / Ag & Bioresources / Swift Current, Sask. / Saskatoon Blades (315)
John Lawrence / F / 5 / Ag & Bioresources / Newdale, Man. / Calgary Hitmen (77)
Alex Forsberg / F / 1 / Arts & Science / Waldheim, Sask. / Victoria Royals (294)
Taran Kozun / G / 1 / Arts & Science / Nipawin, Sask. / Seattle Thunderbirds (150)
Jordon Cooke / G / 4 / Arts & Science / Leduc, Alta. / Kelowna Rockets (174)

About Canada West

Canada West (CW) is the leading university athletic conference in the country and is home to champion student-athletes that excel in the classroom and their communities. Canada West and our 17 members from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba collectively carry on a legacy of competitive excellence, as our champions proudly go on to represent the conference at U SPORTS national championships.

Canada West – training leaders, building champions

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 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five 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.