BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – Twenty-three NHL teams feature at least one SMAAAHL alumni member to start the 2026-27 regular season. In total, there are 34 former SMAAAHL players in the world’s top league – which is an increase over last year.
There are another 21 players from the U18AAA league in Saskatchewan in the American Hockey League – the main minor-league affiliate to the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks:
Roger McQueen – Saskatoon Blazers
Boston Bruins:
Tanner Jeannot – Yorkton
Carolina Hurricanes:
Rod Brind’Amour (head coach) – Notre Dame
Chicago Blackhawks:
Kevin Korchinski – Saskatoon Contacts
Colorado Avalanche:
Jared Bednar (head coach) – Tisdale
Brett McLean (assistant coach) – Notre Dame
Curtis Leschyshyn (scout) – Blazers
Jaden Schwartz – Notre Dame
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Cole Sillinger – Regina
Dallas Stars:
Glen Gulutzan (head coach) – Blazers
Tyler Myers – Notre Dame
Detroit Red Wings:
Todd McLellan (head coach) – Blazers
Las Vegas Golden Knights:
Brayden McNabb – Notre Dame
Los Angeles Kings:
Darcy Kuemper – Contacts/Blazers
New York Islanders:
Brayden Schenn – Contacts
New York Rangers:
Braden Schneider – Prince Albert
Philadelphia Flyers:
Sean Couturier – Notre Dame
Pittsburgh Penquins:
Kaeden Korczak – Yorkton
Todd Nelson (assistant coach) – Prince Albert
Sheldon Brookbank (development coach) – Contacts
San Jose Sharks:
Nolan Allen – Blazers
Seattle Kraken:
Ryker Evans – Notre Dame
Lane Lambert (head coach) – Swift Current
Chandler Stephenson – Blazers/Contacts
Berkly Catton – Contacts
Cale Fleury – Notre Dame
Toronto Maple Leafs:
Morgan Rielly – Notre Dame
Utah Mammoth:
Liam O’Brien – Notre Dame
Corey Schwab (goalie coach) – Battlefords
Vancouver Canucks:
Luke Schenn – Contacts
Washington Capitals:
Patrick Wellar (assistant coach) – Blazers
Winnipeg Jets:
Kevin Cheveldayoff (general manager) – Blazers
Haydn Fleury – Notre Dame
Brayden Yager – Contacts (also played with Manitoba Moose – nine points in six games)
SMAAAHL alumni in American Hockey League:
Atley Calvert – Wilkes Barre/Scranton (nine points in eight games); Moose Jaw
Lane Pederson – Ontario Reign (nine points in seven games); Blazers
Owen Sillinger – Cleveland; Regina
Kole Lind – Abbotsford; Swift Current/Contacts
Adam Beckman – Colorado (AHL); Battlefords
Connor Zary – Calgary (AHL), Calgary NHL (2 games); Contacts
Ethan Bear – Hamilton; Yorkton
Riley Heidt – Iowa; Contacts
Cameron Hebig – Tucson; Contacts
Gabe Klassen – Utica; Prince Albert
Boston Buckberger – Cleveland; Blazers
Derrick Pouliot – Rockford; Moose Jaw
Brayden Pachal – Calgary (AHL); Moose Jaw
Alex Kannok-Leipert – Grand Rapids; Regina
Noah Chadwick – Toronto (AHL); Contacts
Tanner Howe – Wilkes Barre/Scranton; Prince Albert
Caden Price – Coachella; Contacts
Joe Arntsen – Abbotsford; Swift Current
Tyson Empey – Manitoba; Swift Current/Battlefords
Reese Johnson – Toronto (AHL); Blazers
Connor Mylykok – Rockford; Notre Dame
