Big changes ahead in Western Conference
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WESTERN CONFERENCE
B.C. DIVISION
KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
Aiden Foster (16) of the Prince George Cougars and Giorgos Pantelas (84) of the Brandon Wheat Kings exchange blows during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place last February. With Pantelas now skating with the Penticton Vees, they’ll be battling in the B.C. Division this winter. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
• Head coach: Shaun Clouston.
• General manager: Shaun Clouston.
• Overagers: D Carson Olsen, F Cooper Moore, F Gavin Nemis.
• Imports: F Vit Zahejsky (Czechia, 2007), D Mikhail Cherepanov, (Russia, 2008)
• Goalies: Logan Edmonstone (2007), Kaeden Tate (2009).
• Westman connection: None.
• The lowdown: It stings when your top five scorers leave — Josh Evaschesen was dealt home to Medicine Hat — including rookie sensation JP Hurlbert. That leaves the Blazers looking for scoring a year after they finished sixth in the league with 264 goals. They’ll need contributions from across the lineup.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 31-24-7-6, 4th in division, 5th in conference
2024-25: 24-39-4-1, 4th in division, 10th in conference.
2023-24: 20-42-3-3, 6th in division, 11th in conference.
2022-23: 48-13-4-3, 1st in division, 2nd in conference.
2021-22: 48-17-3-0, 1st in division, 2nd in conference.
KELOWNA ROCKETS
• Head coach: Derrick Martin
• General manager: Curtis Hamilton.
• Overagers: G Josh Banini, D Rowan Guest, D Nate Corbet, F Dawson Gerwing.
• Imports: Jakub Frolo (Czechia, 2007).
• Goalies: Josh Banini (2006), Harrison Boettiger (2007), Linden Sobocan (2009).
• Westman connection: None.
• The lowdown: History hasn’t been kind to Memorial Cup hosts in the next season. With their top 11 scorers gone, this will be a rebuilding year and they’ll be hoping other teams come calling for what’s left. It will be a great year if they sneak into the playoffs.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 38-21-6-3, 3rd in division, 4th in conference
2024-25: 18-44-4-2, 5th in division, 11th in conference.
2023-24: 33-30-4-1, 2nd in division, 5th in conference.
2022-23: 27-37-4-0, 4th in division, 8th in conference.
2021-22: 42-20-1-5, 2nd in division, 5th in conference.
PENTICTON VEES
• Head coach: Fred Harbinson.
• General manager: Fred Harbinson.
• Overagers: G Andrew Reyelts, F Carter Cunningham, F Tristan Petersen.
• Imports: F Roberts Naudins (Latvia, 2008), F Tristan Petersen (Denmark, 2006).
• Goalies: Andrew Reyelts (2006), Kaenan Smith (2008).
• Westman connection: None.
• The lowdown: If the Vees can duplicate in Year 2 what they did in Year 1, it will be an incredible feat. They tied for the third fewest goals allowed a year ago, and now will have former Wheat King Gio Pantelas on the blue-line. They’ll need to replace some high-end scoring but Harbinson’s formula of speed, size and relentless forechecking bodes well for them.
• Five-year glance:
Expansion club last season.
2025-26: 44-14-6-4, 1st in division, 2nd in conference
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
• Head coach: Mark Lamb.
• General manager: Mark Lamb.
• Overagers: D Corbin Vaughan, F Riley Ashe, G Alexander Levshyn
• Imports: D Arseni Anisimov (Russia, 2007), G Alexander Levshyn (Russia, 2006), F Dmitri Yakutsenak (Russia, 2007).
• Goalies: Alexander Levshyn (2006), Peyton Shore (2008), Kole Anderosov (2010).
• Westman connection: D Kaeson Fisher (Brandon, 2007).
• The lowdown: PG loses an outstanding trio in defenceman Carson Carels, goalie Joshua Ravensbergen and forward Terik Parascak after graduating Riley Heidt and Koehn Ziemmer a year earlier. They return all three imports, and Yakutsenak had 25 goals last season. They’ll likely fall back to the pack.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 44-22-2-0, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference
2024-25: 41-21-4-2, 2nd in division, 4th in conference.
2023-24: 49-15-1-3, 1st in division, 1st in conference.
2022-23: 37-24-6-1, 2nd in division, 4th in conference.
2021-22: 24-39-4-1, 3rd in division, 6th in conference.
VANCOUVER GIANTS
• Head coach: Michael Dyck.
• General manager: Michael Dyck.
• Overagers: F Max Sullivan, D Derek Thurston, D Carsten Kayter, F Brogan McNeil, D Rhys Pederson.
• Imports: F Tobias Tomik (Slovakia, 2007).
• Goalies: Burke Hood (2007), Maverick Bell (2008), Oliver Bryks (2009).
• Westman connection: G Burke Hood (Brandon).
• The lowdown: The Giants bottomed out last season but they could very quickly be on the rise with forwards Mathis Preston, Joe Iginila and Jakob Oreskovic leading the way. Losing top young defenceman and leading scorer Ryan Lin hurts, so much will be expected from Hood.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 25-39-2-2, 6th in division, 12th in conference
2024-25: 34-26-8-0, 3rd in division, 6th in conference.
2023-24: 32-32-4-0, 3rd in division, 6th in conference.
2022-23: 28-32-5-3, 3rd in division, 7th in conference.
2021-22: 24-39-5-0, 4th in division, 8th in conference.
VICTORIA ROYALS
• Head coach: James Patrick.
• General manager: Jake Heisinger.
• Overagers: F Miles Cooper, F Hayden Moore, D Landon Young.
• Imports: G Vladimir Proskurin (Russia, 2008), F Marek Peroutka (Czechia, 2007), F Filip Novak (Czechia, 2008).
• Goalies: Cole Prelusky (2008), Seth Badry (2009), Vladimir Proskurin (2008).
• Westman connection: None.
• The lowdown: A year ago, a promising Royals lineup was battered by the defections of four top players to college. This season, they dealt for the league’s top returning scorer, Cameron Schmidt and also added Tri-City’s leading scorer, Savin Virk, so they’ll be able to score. With Patrick coaching, look for a rapid rise this season.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 28-30-6-4, 5th in division, 9th in conference
2024-25: 40-17-4-7, 1st in division, 2nd in conference.
2023-24: 29-30-5-4, 4th in division, 7th in conference.
2022-23: 17-43-6-2, 5th in division, 9th in conference.
2021-22: 23-39-5-1, 5th in division, 9th in conference.
U.S. DIVISION
EVERETT SILVERTIPS
• Head coach: Steve Hamilton.
• General manager: Mike Fraser.
• Overagers: F Jaxsin Vaughan, G Jayden Kraus, D Mattias Uyeda.
• Imports: F Dario Blengino (Czechia, 2009), F Atte Vuori (Finland, 2008).
• Goalies: Jayden Kraus (2006), Bennett Byers (2008).
• Westman connection: F Reid Nicol (Brandon, 2010), Trace Langan (Swan River, 2008), GM Mike Fraser (Brandon).
• The lowdown: Months after winning their first WHL title, the Silvertips find themselves in full rebuild mode. Exceptional status defenceman Landon DuPont left at 17 with seven of the team’s other top eight scorers. Reid Nicol debuts full-time at 16 but it could be a long season in Everett.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 57-8-2-1, 1st in division, 1st in conference, 1st in league, won title.
2024-25: 48-12-4-4, 1st in division, 1st in conference.
2023-24: 45-18-2-3, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference.
2022-23: 33-32-2-1, 4th in division, 6th in conference.
2021-22: 45-13-5-5, 1st in division, 1st in conference.
PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS
• Head coach: Kyle Gustafson.
• General manager: Mike Johnston.
• Overagers: F Ben Miller, D Cole Slobodian, D Avery Laliberte.
• Imports: G Ondrej Štěbeták (Czechia, 2007).
• Goalies: Ondrej Štěbeták (2007), Cruz Chase (2007), Tyler DiCarlo (2009), Blake Clark (2009).
• Westman connection: D Cole Slobodian (Brandon, 2006).
• The lowdown: The Hawks took a rare step back last season as they uncharacteristically struggled to score, with just 235 goals. They’ll miss Alex Weiermair, Ryan Miller and Nathan Free, so Jordan Duguay will be counted on for offence.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 30-30-7-1, 4th in division, 8th in conference
2024-25: 36-28-3-1, 3rd in division, 5th in conference.
2023-24: 48-15-4-1, 1st in division, 2nd in conference.
2022-23: 40-20-5-3, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference.
2021-22: 47-16-3-2, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference.
SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS
• Head coach: Matt O’Dette.
• General manager: Bil La Forge.
• Overagers: F Simon Lovsin, F Josh Polak, F Luke Melnik.
• Imports: D Reko Alanko (Finland, 2007), G Marek Sklenicka (Czechia, 2008), F Dominik Ripa (Czechia, 2008).
• Goalies: Grayson Malinowski (2007), Marek Sklenicka (2008).
• Westman connection: None.
• The lowdown: Seattle’s wild trade deadline last January — they both acquired and dealt high-end assets — was the talk of the league. They pushed their way into the playoffs and have enough pieces back now that they should continue to move up.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 31-27-6-4, 3rd in division, 7th in conference
2024-25: 30-33-3-1, 5th in division, 8th in conference.
2023-24: 27-38-2-1, 5th in division, 9th in conference.
2022-23: 54-11-1-2, 1st in division, 1st in conference, won title.
2021-22: 44-18-4-2, 3rd in division, 4th in conference.
SPOKANE CHIEFS
• Head coach: Brad Lauer.
• General manager: Matt Bardsley.
• Overagers: F Smyth Rebman, D Marek Howell, D Nathan Mayes, F Ethan Hughes.
• Imports: F Jan Brabenec (Czechia, 2007), F Matěj Tománek (Czechia, 2008).
• Goalies: Carter Esler (2008), Alexander Watren (2008), Bryce Francisco (2008).
• Westman connection: Nolan Saunderson (Brandon, 2008).
• The lowdown: The Chiefs return Tyus Sparks, Chase Harrington and Owen Martin at the top of the lineup, so they’ll be able to score. If they can keep the puck out of the net like they did a year ago, they’ll contend.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 36-30-2-0, 2nd in division, 6th in conference
2024-25: 45-20-1-2, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference.
2023-24: 30-32-5-1, 4th in division, 8th in conference.
2022-23: 15-43-4-6, 5th in division, 10th in conference.
2021-22: 24-39-4-1, 4th in division, 7th in conference.
TRI-CITY AMERICANS
• Head coach: Jody Hull.
• General manager: Bob Tory.
• Overagers: F Grant Dillard, F Grady Martin, F Patrick Fortune.
• Imports: David Huk (Czechia, 2008).
• Goalies: Ryan Grout (2007), Xavier Wendt (2008), Karter Gibson (2010).
• Westman connection: Hudson Champagne (Brandon, 2009).
• The lowdown: The Americans traded their leading scorer for the second year in a row, with Savin Virk following Max Curran. Cruz Pavao will need someone to help with the scoring.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 26-36-5-1, 5th in division, 10th in conference
2024-25: 32-29-6-1, 4th in division, 7th in conference.
2023-24: 23-42-2-1, 6th in division, 10th in conference.
2022-23: 34-26-5-3, 3rd in division, 5th in conference.
2021-22: 19-43-6-0, 5th in division, 10th in conference.
WENATCHEE WILD
• Head coach: Don Nachbaur.
• General manager: Bliss Littler.
• Overagers: D Josh Fluker, F Kayden Longley, F Nolan Caffey.
• Imports: D Michal Capos (Slovakia, 2007), G Tobias Tvrznik (Czechia, 2007), D Darian Rolsing (Germany, 2008).
• Goalies: Mark Djomo (2009), Tobias Tvrznik (2007), Carsten Leyerzapf (2009).
• Westman connection: D Josh Fluker (Boissevain, 2006).
• The lowdown: The Wild are entering their fourth season in Wenatchee and are in need of some good news after a couple of tough seasons. Their leading scorer who returned from last year’s team, Levi Benson, had just 35 points. They’ll need to find a way to improve on their third-worst total of 190 goals scored last season to contend.
• Five-year glance:
2025-26: 25-38-3-2, 6th in division, 11th in conference
2024-25: 23-36-8-1, 6th in division, 9th in conference.
2023-24: 34-30-4-0, 3rd in division, 4th in conference.
2022-23: 57-10-1-0, 1st in division, 1st in conference.
2021-22: 53-10-3-2, 1st in division, 1st in conference.