WHL This Week - Episode 27, gets you ready for the 2023 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien.  First, the Prince Albert Raiders were the big winners of the 2023 WHL Prospect Draft Lottery.  The Raiders will now pick 1st & 2nd overall in May's WHL Prospects Draft.  We will hear from Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt.

Two WHL year-end awards have already been announced.  The Winnipeg ICE have captured the Scotty Munro Trophy as the best team in the regular season.  Connor Bedard is the Bob Clarke Trophy winner as the WHL's top scorer. 

The Seattle Thunderbirds - Kelowna Rockets 1st round series has an intriguing storyline. Seattle acquired Rockets captain Colton Dach at the trade deadline.  Dach will now face his former team in the playoffs.  He'll be our guest.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, takes a look at Connor Bedard's recent milestone after reaching 70 goals and helping the Regina Pats clinch a spot in the 2023 WHL Playoffs.

It was quite the 1st ever NHL start for former Kamloops Blazers G Dylan Ferguson.  He made 48 saves for the Ottawa Senators in a 2-1 win in Pittsbirgh.  Ferguson went nearly five years between NHL appearances and will share his story of perserverance.  

The Seattle Thunderbirds head into the 2023 WHL Playoffs as the tod seed in the Western Conference.  Head Coach Matt O'Dette talks about coaching a star-studded lineup that has yet to get to full-strength.

Finally, one of the most intriguing 1st round series in the Western Conference features the Prince George Cougars (4) meeting the Tri-City Americns (5).  Cougars veteran F Jaxsen Wiebe will provide a playoff preview of what to expect.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition checks in with WHL alumnus Brandon Sutter who continues to fight to get back into the NHL despite suffering from the symptoms of Long Covid.  The 13-year NHL'er has been skating with his former junior team in Red Deer as he works to resume his pro career.

Kamloops Blazers F Matthew Seminoff flirted with WHL history this week.  Seminoff's eight-point game vs Victoria is something that's been done only three times now since the mid-90's. 

The USPORTS University Cup is underway in PEI with more than 40 WHL Alumni taking part.  Hear from former WHL forward Jadon Joseph from the Canada West Champion University of Calgary Dinos.  Joseph spent parts of three seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Finally, Kelowna Rockets F Gabriel Szturc is the WHL Player of the Week after helping his team go three-for-three last weekend.  He'll wrap up the show.

It's an all-players edition of WHL This Week - Radio Edition.  We catch up with Seattle Thunderbirds F Dylan Guenther who was re-assigned by the NHL's Arizona Coyotes last month to bolster an already deep roster.  Guenther talks about the adjustment and what he wants to get out of his time with the Thunderbirds.

The University of Calgary Dinos are headed to the USPORTS Men's Hockey National Championships in PEI.  They captured the Canada West title this past weekend.  Former Prince George Cougars F Josh Maser played a starring role in a pair of wins.  He'll discuss his team heading to Nationals and how he's been able to utilize the WHL Scholarship Program.

Finally, what a week for Regina Pats D Stanislav Svozil.  After 1G-7A in three games, he was named the WHL Player of the Week.  He'll wrap up the show. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, checks in on the Tri-City Americans with General Manager Bob Tory.  From missing the playoffs last season to fighting for home ice advantage in round one, Tory shares more on the Americans.

Playoff races are tight for the 2023 WHL Playoffs.  We will hear from both Medicine Hat Tigers GM/Coach Willie Desjardins and Kelowna Rockets Head Coach Kris Mallette as both teams try and grab one of the final playoff spots.

Winnipeg ICE F Zach Benson had a 13 point week to be named the WHL Player of the Week.  He'll discuss his recent stretch and his team's lengthy road swing that continues this weekend.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, has more with Regina Pats F Connor Bedard after reaching the 50 goals, 100 point milestone for a second straight season in the WHL.  He'll be our guest as the Pats continue to battle for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

Kamloops Blazers D Olen Zellweger has produced at nearly two points per game since being acquired from the Everett Silvertips at the trade deadline.  With a +24 rating in 17 games, Zellweger has had an instant impact. He'll join us to discuss.

The playoff chase is heating up in the Eastern Conference, hear from Swift Current Broncos Coach Devan Praught as he attempts to get the Broncos into the post-season for the first time since 2018.

Finally former Spokane Chiefs GM Tim Speltz was recently presented with his WHL Governor's Award as a Builder.  He will share on his time in the league.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, features WHL Governor's Award  recipient Kelly McCrimmon. McCrimmon spent 27 years with the Brandon Wheat Kings organization in every capacity.  He was recently presented the award at WHL Board of Governor's meetings.  The General Manager of the Vegas Golden Knights will be our guest.

We have a WHL Alumni update with former Spokane Chiefs/Prince Albert Raiders F Curtis Miske (2014-2018).  After four years in the WHL, Miske attended the University of Alberta earning a degree in Commerce.  He's now a Financial Advisor for IG Wealth Management.  

Finally, Prince George Cougars F Chase Wheatcroft is coming off a good stretch of games as the Cougars push for home ice advantage in round one of the WHL Playoffs.  He's the WHL Player of the Week and will wrap up the show.  

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, checks in on one of our own.  We have a health update from legendary broadcaster Bob Ridley.  "Rids" is cancer free and updates what he's been up to.  The first winner of the Bob Ridley Award for Media Excellence, he called over 4000 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Former Portland Winterhawks F Jake Gricius is enjoying life after the WHL with the University of Calgary Dinos.  He's the WHL Canada West Graduate of the Month. More with him.  Also, big news regarding Dylan Guenther and Dylan Cozens and former Kamloops Blazer D Nolan Baumgartner was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame.  

Prince Albert Raiders D Landon Kosior will wrap up the show after being named the WHL Player of the Week following a successful BC road trip. 

WHL This Week - Radio Edition features former WHL Goaltender Matt Berlin who jumped into an Edmonton Oilers game last last week against Chicago.  Berlin (2015-19 Spokane, Seattle, Kootenay) played the final 2:24 as the EBUG.  The University of Alberta Golden Bear 'tender shares his experience and the aftermath of his surprise NHL debut.

Connor Bedard mania is sweeping the Central Division.  This past week, Bedard and the Pats played in front of a record crowd in Red Deer and over 17,000 in Calgary.  

WHL Alumnus Luke Philip made his NHL debut this past week for the Chicago Blackhawks.  The former Kootenay ICE and Red Deer Rebels used his WHL Scholarship to Attend U of A after his WHL playing days.  He then started his professional career.  After three years in the AHL, Philp joined the Chicago Blackhawks for their Western road swing. 

It's called the Orange Jersey Project and it's something you'll see in WHL rinks this month.  The awareness campaign towards Indigenous Truth & Reconciliation will see WHL teams wear orange jerseys in warm-up.  Project Coordinator Jeremy Boston joins us to discuss the goals and partnership with the WHL.

WHL This Week - Radio Edition, previews the upcoming 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game set for the Langley Events Centre January 25th.  F Jaden Lipinski from the host Vancouver Giants will join us. Ranked #38th amongst N.A. skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Lipinski will be hoping to use home ice advantage for the event.  

Everett Silvertips F Jackson Berezowski is closing in on some club history. He sits two goals behind Patrick Bajkov for the all-time lead in goals in Silvertips history.  He's also the WHL Player of the Week after putting up eight goals and 12 points in three games.  He'll be our guest.

A change of scenery is paying off for G Braden Holt. Acquired by the Victoria Royals, Holt has found new life on the Island. He's the WHL Goaltender of the Week and will wrap up this week's show.