Portland Winterhawks

Over the month of August, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2025-26 season in a 23-part, team-by-team series. Today, we begin with the graduating players from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Grayson Burzynski (D) Hometown: Winnipeg, Man. WHL Career Stats: 292 GP – 32G-104A – 136 points WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 44th Overall (Swift Current Broncos) Originally selected 44th overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Grayson Burzynski made his Western Hockey League debut on October 2, 2021, against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Winnipeg product spent the first four seasons of his WHL career with Swift Current, developing into a steady presence on the Broncos’ blue line. In 233 career games with the Broncos, Burzynski boasted 21 points, 57 assists, and 78 points. He also suited up in 13 career post-sea

For the first time in a while, the Flyers are coming off a playoff run.That, of course, makes life a little different for the club’s amateur scouting staff leading up to the 2026 NHL draft. Barring a trade, the Flyers will pick at 21st overall. It’s their lowest first-round spot since 2020.But that was when the Flyers drafted a foundation piece,

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. Today, we'll check in on a devilishly talented group aiming to make the jump in New Jersey. Josh Filmon  Six-foot-3, 170-pound winger Josh Filmon continued to climb in his second season in the pro ranks. After spending the bulk of his first professional season in the ECHL, Filmon earned a much more consistent role with the AHL's Utica Comets, netting six points (4G-2A) and 14 penalty minutes in 31 games, with one brief sojourn in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder in late November and early December. New Jersey selected the Winnipeg, Man. product with the 166th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Filmon spent four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos, tallying 189 points (99G-90A)

Edmonton, Alta.- "Canada is golden!" After a 2025-26 season that saw Canada fail to capture a gold medal in a major international men's tournament, a dynamite group returned the country to the top of the podium with an 8-1 victory over the United States at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Captain and 2026 WHL Champion Landon DuPont, who is a projected top pick for the 2027 NHL Draft, logged four assists in the win, marking Canada's 14th gold medal in the last 18 editions of the tournament. The WHL's first exceptional-status defenceman changed the colour of his medal as the lone returning player from the 2025 bronze medal-winning squad. 2025 WHL first-overall pick Maddox Schultz (Regina, Sask.) was named Canada's Player of the Game with a two-goal, one-assist effort. Nine Canadian WHLers picked up a gold medal, while another four Americans, Kaeden Tate (Kamloops Blazers), Gavin Burcar (Spokane Chiefs), Brooks DeMars (Penticton Vees) and Colin Grubb (Brandon Wheat Kings

Edmonton, Alta.- Five Western Hockey League skaters, including Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kayden Stroeder, enjoyed a multi-point night as Canada rolled Slovakia 6-1 to improve to 2-0-0-0 at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. 2026 WHL Champion and Defenceman of the Year finalist Landon DuPont (Everett Silvertips / Calgary, Alta.) was named Canada's Player of the Game with a one-goal, one-assist effort. The opening frame proved to be a much closer affair than Canada's tournament-opener, which saw the Canucks and Switzerland combine for six goals in the first nine minutes. Still, Canada struck first blood as projected top 2027 NHL Draft pick DuPont received a clean pass from Saint John Sea Dogs star Alexis Joseph and beat the Slovakian netminder on a powerplay wraparound. 2025 WHL first-overall pick Maddox Schultz (Regina Pats / Regina, Sask.) picked up a secondary assist on the play. Slovakia briefly tied the game with a point-blank goal from Patrik Rychlik, but Canada re

Edmonton, Alta.- 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Brock England (Seattle Thunderbirds / Red Deer, Alta.) and 16-year-old Regina Pats Star Liam Pue (Langley, B.C.) scored twice as Canada routed Switzerland 7-3 to open the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Portland Winterhawks forward Alessandro Domenichelli (Lugano, Sui.) logged a pair of assists in the loss, while the WHL contingent accounted for 10 points. England, a 5-foot-11 forward who logged 21 goals in his rookie season with the T-Birds in 2025-26, was named Canada's Player of the Game. The goals poured in fast and furious as the teams combined for six goals in the first nine minutes of the match. Canada got off to a dream start as 2027 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Boston Tait (Wenatchee Wild / Estevan, Sask.) broke the puck out of the Canadian zone for an extended offensive zone shift. As the squad piled pucks on the Swiss net, England banked a puck off Switzerland's netminder from behind the net to open the scoring 1:18 in

San Jose Sharks excite fans with the drafting of hometown forward Jake Gustafson, but what does the future hold for this promising defensive center? Hear firsthand how Gustafson’s journey from Junior Sharks to the Portland Winterhawks shaped his game and why his NHL dreams are just getting started. JD Young sits down with Gustafson to talk about growing up cheering for San Jose, idolizing Joe Thornton, and navigating the pressures of draft day. The in-depth interview reveals Gustafsson’s mindset as he preps for another WHL season, his perspective on development camp, and how new NCAA rules will impact his path at Colorado College. From grueling bus rides to secret pregame rituals, Gustafsson offers fans a unique inside look at life as a Sharks prospect. Timestamps: 00:00 Analyzing player's season performance 05:32 Evaluating Gustafson's In-Game Performance 07:20 Discussion on Jake Gustafson's Potential 9:55 Jake Gustafsson joins show 14:40 2026 Draft Day and Development Camp 18:40 Pl

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. The Florida Panthers' prospect pool features three recent WHL Champions. Marek Alscher The 6-foot-3, 205-pound defenceman made his NHL debut in April of 2026 and stayed with the Panthers for their last four games of the regular season. The team went 3-1-0 over that stretch, with Alscher averaging more than 20 minutes on the ice while picking up three assists and a +4 rating. The 22-year-old stayed steady in his second season in the professional ranks, notching 11 points (3G-8A) in 52 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers before getting called up to the show. Alscher, from Kladno, Czechia, spent three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks, bagging 66 points (22G-44A) over 178 regular-season games, whil

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we’re diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL’s criteria for rookie status. Today, we're getting greasy with the Edmonton Oilers. Tommy Lafreniere The Quebec-born, B.C.-raised forward made waves with 41 goals and 36 assists for 77 points in 67 games. Lafreniere, 19, tied for sixth in goals among all WHLers while helping the Kamloops Blazers clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2023. After logging two goals and an assist in the WHL postseason, the 6-foot, 183-pound winger made his professional debut with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors on an amateur tryout and notched a goal and two assists in eight regular-season and playoff games. He's currently representing Canada at the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in hopes of hitting Edmonton for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Cha

The Winterhawks announced that Carsyn Dyck and Carter Matthews have cleared WHL waivers for 20-year-old players and are now free agents.

Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club announced today that 2006-born forward Carsyn Dyck and 2006-born defenseman Carter Matthews have... - WHL Portland Winterhawks

Alessandro Domenichelli and Max Melicherik have been selected to represent their home nations at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce that Alessandro Domenichelli and Max Melicherik have been selected to repre... - WHL Portland Winterhawks

Calgary, Alta.- Ten European Western Hockey League players and prospects are getting ready to represent their countries at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The group is headlined by six players, including three who have signed WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements, who will suit up for Czechia. Edmonton Oil Kings fans will have extra reason to cheer as forward Jonas Vanicek, who was selected by Edmonton with the 56th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 CHL Import Draft, prepares for his first games in his new junior hockey home, along with Oil Kings prospect Lukas Kachlir, who went 51st overall. Vanicek, a 6-foot, 168-pound centreman, signed with the Central Division club last week. CHL top-10 picks Dominick Byrtus (third overall / Lethbridge Hurricanes) and Dario Blengino (sixth overall / Everett Silvertips) have also confirmed they'll make the jump to the WHL in 2026-27. In addition to six Czechs, the group features one German defenceman, two Slovaks an

Calgary, Alta. – Four players signed to WHL Standard Player Agreements have been named to the roster for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team, USA Hockey announced Monday afternoon. The WHL will be represented by three forwards and one goaltender on the U.S. roster at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is scheduled for Monday, August 3, through Saturday, August 8, in Edmonton, Alta. U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team – WHL Players Last Name First Name WHL Club Hometown Ht Wt Pos Burcar Gavin Spokane Chiefs Cota de Caza, Calif. 6’2”

Portland, Ore.- Talk about a 'mammoth' pickup. Portland Winterhawks defenceman Max Psenicka has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Utah Mammoth, the club announced Thursday. “As an organization, we are excited for Max and the opportunity with the Utah Mammoth," Winterhawks President and General Manager Mike Johnston said. "Max has worked extremely hard and taken advantage of the last year in Portland to showcase his pro potential." Psenicka, a 6-foot-4, 178-pound rearguard, is coming off a career season that saw him net eight goals (including a game-winner) and 22 assists for 30 points in 53 games. The Prague, Cze. product has amassed 37 points (9G-28A) over two seasons with the Winterhawks, in addition to eight points (1G-7A) in 22 playoff outings. At the international level, Psenicka picked up three points (1G-2A) to help Czechia ear

Max Pšenička signed his three-year NHL Entry-Level Contract with the Utah Mammoth.

The Utah Mammoth have signed Max Psenicka to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced this morning. The 19-year-old defenseman was selected 46th overall by Utah in the second round of the 2025 NHL draft. In Portland, he scored 30 points in 53 WHL games with the Winterhawks and added three points in 13 total […]

Portland, Ore. - The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce that defenseman Max Pšenička has signed his NHL Entry-Level Contr... - WHL Portland Winterhawks

Date: 07/23/2026 Player: Max Psenicka (D) From: Portland Winterhawks To: Utah Mammoth Information: Entry Level Source: You need a free account to view Transfer URL Sign In/Up

In the lead-up to the 2026-27 hockey season, we're diving into the WHL prospect pool for every NHL team. To be included in this list, a player must be recently drafted, signed to an NHL contract, or meet the NHL's criteria for rookie status. The Anaheim Ducks feature new acquisitions, a pair of 2026 Draftees, and a newly crowned WHL champion. Noah Kosick The 6-foot, 160-pound centreman saw his production take off in his sophomore WHL season. Kosick bagged 16 goals and 38 assists for 54 points in 69 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds and Swift Current Broncos. Kosick made his way to the Pacific Northwest in a midseason trade and ended up finishing third on the Thunderbirds in points and second in assists. The Victoria, B.C. product averaged a point per game in his first trip to the WHL Playoffs with a goal and four helpers in five matches as Seattle bowed out to the B.C. Division Champion Penticton Vees. Kosick, 17, represented Team West at

Three current WHLers and one incoming skater will battle for a roster spot on Team USA for next month's Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Gavin Burcar (Spokane Chiefs), Brooks DeMars (Penticton Vees), Kaeden Tate (Kamloops Blazers), future Brandon Wheat King Colin Grubb and soon-to-be Penticton Vee Whitaker Rewertz are among the 36 players invited to USA Hockey's Selection Camp in Saint Paul, Minn., starting on July 23. The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from August 3-8 in Edmonton, Alta. Burcar netted 17 points (7G-10A) in his rookie spin with the Spokane Chiefs and even netted his first WHL Playoff goal in the spring. Demars helped the Penticton Vees set a CHL record for wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season with 37 and tallied 13 points (6G-7A) of his own. Six-foot-4 goaltender Kaeden Tate got his feet wet in the league with a pair of appearances with the Blazers, going 2-0-0-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. Brandon selected Grubb with the 14th overa