WHL Radio Show Podcast

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, recaps the U17 World Challenge with 15 WHL players bringing home a medal. Spokane Chiefs F Mathis Preston was one of several gold medalists for Team Canada White after scoring six goals to lead the way.

Things are heating up in Prince George.  LA Kings prospects Koehn Ziemmer has been named the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. We will hear from him.

Speaking of heating up, we'll check in on the Tri-City Americans who are in the middle of their longest winning streak since the 2011-12 season. They begin an East Division road trip riding a 12-game winning streak.

Finally, it's back. Nickelodeon themed jerseys are coming to a WHL rink near you. It's all in the name of charity and Children's Hospitals across western Canada.  The WHL's Jane Hart previews this year's edition.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, shares the WHL's reaction statement to the NCAA player eligibility changes announced this week. WHL Commissioner Dan Near welcoming the changes and looking forward to attracting the top talent across Western Canada and the Western U.S.

After leading the WHL in scoring to start the season, Medicine Hat Tigers F Gavin McKenna has been named the WHL's Player of the Month.  He'll be our guest.

The NHL's Seattle Kraken have invested several of their draft picks into WHL draft eligible talent since the franchise's first NHL Draft in 2021.  Kraken Director of Amateur Scouting Robert Kron is our guest as we discuss their stable of WHL prospects.

Finally, the Tempo WHL Player of the Week is Brady Birnie of the Swift Current Broncos.  He'll wrap up the show. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, checks in with 1st year Everett Silvertips Coach Steve Hamilton. The veteran coach is in his first season guiding a team in the Western Conference after years in the Central Division. He'll talk about the team's start, Landon Dupont and competing every night in the US Division. 

It seems everything is coming up aces for Moose Jaw Warriors F Lynden Lackovic.  The "A" rated skater ranked by NHL Central Scouting was also recently named to Team CHL for the upcoming Kubota Prospects Challenge.  He'll be our guest.

For the second time in a month, Kamloops Blazers F Nathan Behm has been named the Tempo WHL Player of the Month.  Behm put up 10 points last week, helping the Blazers to a 2-1 record.  He'll round out the show. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition - has two WHL players on who had great weeks.  Both Victoria Royals F Cole Reschny and Calgary Hitmen F Ben Kindel were two of 10 WHL'ers named to the two-game CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota.  Both were two of 55 WHL'ers named to NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Players to Watch list.   Kindel was also named the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. We'll hear from both.

Former Kelowna Rockets D Luke Schenn recently passed the 1000 career NHL games milestone with the Nashville Predators. Hear from Schenn on his time in the WHL and how it laid the foundation for his success at the NHL level.

Also, former five-year Tri-City American Connor Bouchard was recently honoured by the Mount Royal Cougars for his 2023-24 USPORTS Men's Hockey Player of the Year Award.  The WHL's Cami Kepke was there and chatted with Bouchard as they embark on another Canada West season with championship aspirations. 

It's an all players edition of WHL This Week - Radio Edition.

First, 2022-23 Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Winner Connor Bedard was recently back through Western Canada with the Chicago Blackhawks.  Connor reminisces about his time with the Regina Pats and his last time in Calgary at the Saddledome where he played in front of over 17,000 fans as Bedard Mania swept across the WHL.  

Tri-City Americans D Jackson Smith is a potential 1st round pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft.  The 6-3 defenseman is off to a good start this season and we learn more about the Calgary, AB native who is a 2nd generation WHL talent.

This year, the WHL features a very talented crop of 16 year-old talent.  It's led by 2023 WHL Prospects Draft 1st overall pick D Dax Rudolph of the Prince Albert Raiders.  He'll join us as the Raiders hit the road for the BC Division tour.

Finally, Vancouver Giants veteran D Mazden Leslie has been named the Tempo WHL Player of the Week - he'll wrap up the show. 

WHL This Week - Radio Editon, looks at four WHL players returned to their clubs after long runs with their respective NHL teams. Andrew Cristall (Kelowna Rockets / Washington Capitals), Carter Yakemchuk (Calgary Hitmen / Ottawa Senators), Tanner Molendyk (Saskatoon Blades / Nashville Predators) and Harrison Brunicke (Kamloops Blazers / Pittsburgh Penguins).

Spokane Chiefs F Shea Van Olm is the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. The veteran forward collected four goals and three assists for seven points in two weekend wins.  Shea joins us from the midst of the Chiefs East Division road trip.

A familiar coach is back in the US Division. Don Nachbaur - 3rd all time in WHL Coaching Wins - is now guiding the Wenatchee Wild. We'll catch up with the veteran coach and find out what keeps bringing him back.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, features two Aboriginal WHL players as the league honours and observes National Truth & Reconciliation Day.  Hear from Zachary Shantz of the Regina Pats and Jett Lajoie of the Prince George Cougars on what the Orange Shirt movement means to them.  Find out what the WHL is doing this weekend in recognition. 

Nathan Behm of the Kamloops Blazers is the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. The 2025 NHL Draft eligible forward is building quite the sports resume after winning a National long drive championship and two appearances for Canada on the International baseball stage. Hear his story.

The Victoria Royals are off to a good start. Head Coach James Patrick discusses the changes he made heading into the season and the emergence of 16 year-old D Keaton Verhoeff.  

Finally, it wasn't cowbells in Everett last weekend, it was wedding bells.  Two members of the Everett Silvertips ice crew were married at the rink. Hear that story to close out the show. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, features WHL Commisioner Dan Near.  He talks his first full season on the job, opening weekend, the state of the WHL, and what changes we are in store for in the months ahead. 

The Portland Winterhawks have a new front man.  Kyle Gustafson was promoted from Associate to Head Coach in the off-season.  He joins us to talk about the job promotion, and just where the Winterhawks are at after advancing to last season's Ed Chynoweth Cup Championship Series.

What an opening weekend for Brandon Wheat Kings F Roger McQueen. The top prospect for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is the WHL Player of the Week after a huge four-goal opening night. He'll round out the show.  

We are back for another season on the WHL Radio Show.  The new 2024-25 season is here and it's Opening Weekend!

WHL Vice-President of Hockey Richard Doerksen joins us to discuss some new rules and some modifications that teams and fans should be aware of.  

15 year-old exceptional status D Landon DuPont begins his WHL career in Everett.  We put hockey on the back burner and learn more about what Landon is all about.

The Medicine Hat Tigers are ranked number one in the fist edition of the CHL Top 10. With a deep and talented roster led by Gavin McKenna, Tigers Head Coach & General Manager Willie Desjardins joins us to talk about his team and the challenges that lie ahead. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, takes you back to Moose Jaw for the Championship moment.  The finish, the celebration, the post-game interviews.  Hear from several key members of the Warriors following a series sweep to capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup.  Also, we'll get a Portland perspective from Head Coach / GM Mike Johnston.  

Our guests this week include Moose Jaw Warriors F & Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager.  He's celebrating a WHL Championship with his teammates and the City of Moose Jaw.  We will get his thoughts on the playoffs and the several key moments that led to the Warriors winning it all. We will also get his take on the 2024 Memorial Cup in Saginaw, MI as the team opens the tournament Friday, May 24th vs the host team.

The Warriors General Manager will also breakdown the season and playoffs and what lies ahead in Saginaw.  Jason Ripplinger made several key moves to bolster an already strong roster both at and before the WHL trade deadline.  We will hear from the WHL veteran manager on fulfilling his vision.