It has been 10 years since a team from the Western Hockey League lifted the Memorial Cup.
Tristan Jarry and his Edmonton Oil Kings accomplished the feat in 2014 before the current dry spell.
That’s not to say it’s been all bad news for the WHL. The league had more success getting out of the pandemic than its two counterparts in the east and was also the junior home of generational prospect Connor Bedard.
Here’s a look at some WHL storylines heading into opening night on Friday.
McKenna, Tigers on the prowl
The Medicine Hat Tigers are ranked first in this season’s pre-season CHL rankings, and it’s not only because of talented older players.
Sixteen-year-old Whitehorse native Gavin McKenna was named CHL Rookie of the Year last season after putting up 34 goals and 63 assists for 97 points in 61 games. He then went on to notch 10 goals and 10 assists in seven games as Canada won gold at the world under-18 championship.
McKenna will have every chance to wear Canada’s colours again this holiday season at the world junior championship in Ottawa. He’ll be eligible to be drafted into the NHL in 2026.
McKenna’s certainly not a one-man show in Medicine Hat, though. The Tigers have a couple of other high-end forwards in Cayden Lindstrom (picked fourth overall by Columbus this year) and Andrew Basha (Calgary Flames pick), along with a pair of top Finnish defenceman Veeti Vaisanen (Utah pick) and Niilopekka Muhonen (Dallas pick).
The Tigers, coached by former Vancouver Canucks bench boss Willie Desjardins, are looking to win their first WHL title since 2007.
Speaking of youngsters…
Everett Silvertips defenceman Landon DuPont joins Bedard as only the second WHL player to be granted exceptional-player status, allowing him to play full-time in the league a year early.
The 15-year-old Calgary native, picked first overall by Everett in this year’s draft, had one goal and two assists in three pre-season games.
Bedard welcomed DuPont to the league by sending him a video message after he was granted exceptional-player status.
DuPont is the son of former Calgary Flames defenceman Micki DuPont.
Near’s here
Dan Near begins his first full year as commissioner of the WHL, replacing longtime boss Ron Robison.
A former Adidas Hockey and NHL marketing executive, Near joins first-year OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford as new hires at top junior hockey positions.
Near, 43, already has been involved in a major hockey story, speaking positively about the possibility of WHL players going on to play in the NCAA after Braxton Whitehead of the Regina Pats announced he planned to play at Arizona State following this season. A rule must change for that to happen.
Crowded field
At least five WHL teams will be bidding to host the 2026 Memorial Cup.
The Tigers, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Spokane Chiefs, Brandon Wheat Kings and Kelowna Rockets all have announced their intention to bid.
A winning team will be selected by the end of the year, meaning a good start to the season could be key.
American shakeup
The league’s U.S. Division was busy making coaching changes this off-season.
The Silvertips hired former Calgary Hitmen and Oil Kings coach Steve Hamilton, while the Wenatchee Wild went with ex-Seattle, Tri-City, and Spokane bench boss Don Nachbaur.
Spokane is bringing Brad Lauer back to the league after he spent two seasons as an assistant with the Winnipeg Jets. In 2022, Lauer guided the Oil Kings to a WHL crown. Meanwhile, Kyle Gustafson has been promoted to head coach of the Portland Winterhawks after longtime coach Mike Johnston gave up that role to focus on GM duties.
McFarland heads to Calgary
Another familiar coaching name is getting ready for his first season in the WHL.
Paul McFarland was hired as Calgary’s coach this off-season after six seasons in the NHL as an assistant with the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken.
Before that, the 38-year-old native of Richmond Hill, Ont., was head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs for three seasons.
McFarland figures to have one of the league’s top NHL prospects on his roster. Defenceman Carter Yakemchuk was picked seventh overall by the Ottawa Senators this year.
Iggy in Edmonton
Joe Iginla is the latest member of the famous family in the WHL ranks.
Iginla, 16, is set to play his first full season for the Oil Kings after getting a cup of coffee (three goals, two assists in five games) last year.
His older brother, Tij, was picked sixth overall by Utah this year and very well could return to Kelowna for another junior campaign.
The Oil Kings are set to host the Rockets on March 7. Would Jarome make the trip to Edmonton if Tij is back in the junior ranks?
Yager’s status
The Moose Jaw Warriors will be keeping a close eye on Winnipeg Jets training camp.
Forward Brayden Yager, acquired by the Jets in the Rutger McGroarty deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, could find his way back to Moose Jaw if he doesn’t stay in the NHL.
The first-round Penguins pick (14th overall in 2023) helped Moose Jaw win its first WHL title last season.
