The SMAAAHL is feeding the WHL with talent… Every SMAAAHL team is represented in the WHL right now… Check what teams are producing the most talent to Major Junior Hockey…
BY Jonathan Huntington
REGINA – The SMAAAHL continues to be a large producer of WHL players. In fact, 88 SMAAAHL graduates are on WHL rosters right now.
“It is an amazing number from a per-capita perspective,” said SMAAAHL President Lloyd Friesen, referring to the size of Saskatchewan.
“It’s certainly a credit to the management and coaching staffs in our league. When a player gets a chance to play in our league, they will get the right training and development – not only in hockey but to be strong, successful citizens with good character.”
All 23 teams in the WHL – with the exception of the Tri-City Americans – have at least one SMAAAHL player on the roster. Ten teams in the league have four or more players from Saskatchewan’s U18AAA circuit.
Just as interesting is diving into the statistics regarding the SMAAAHL teams producing the most talent to the WHL. The Regina Pat Canadians have 19 graduates in the Major Junior league – which is more than any other club. The Saskatoon Blazers have 18 graduates in the Dub, with the Warman Wildcats at 12 alumni.
“Our coaching staff is second to none in the league, contributing hundreds of hours each season to ensure our players receive elite-level instruction and mentorship,” said Pat Canadians manager Warren Fry. “We pride ourselves on offering one of the most comprehensive on-ice programs in the league, with ice time that rivals or exceeds any other team. Last year we had over 130 practices to go along with 68 games.
“Our number one priority is to provide each player with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to grow and advance to the next level – both on and off the ice.”
Scott Thomas, the Saskatoon Blazers governor, said there are a few factors behind their successful program: “We never ever say no when a team from a higher level asks if they can take a player for a while from us. Even if it hurts our chances to be successful in the short term, we think that it’s important to the players that go up – but also to the ones who are filling-in and getting that opportunity.
“And the second factor is simply winning. Good players want to win and are driven to win. Consistency matters.”
Below is the list of SMAAAHL graduates currently on WHL rosters.
Regina Pats – (SMAAAHL alumni team listed to the right)
Taylor Tabashnuik – Regina
Kolten Bridgeman – Regina
Dayton Deschamps – Saskatoon Blazers
Reese Hamilton – Saskatoon Blazers
Connor Bear – Warman
Dayce Derkatch – Regina
Jace Egland – Swift Current
Cohen Klassen – Warman
Ellis Mieyette – Regina
Zach Moore – Saskatoon Contacts
Liam Pue – Regina
Maddox Schultz – Regina
12 players
Saskatoon Blades
Etham McCallum – Notre Dame
Jack Lavallee – Warman
Isaac Poll – Moose Jaw/Regina
Tyrone Sobry – Saskatoon Contacts
Rowan Calvert – Moose Jaw
Kazden Mathies – Warman
Tristan Mitchell-McEllhone – Swift Current
7 players
Prince Albert Raiders
Connor Howe – Prince Albert
Jonah Sivertson – Regina
2 players
Swift Current Broncos
Joey Rocha – Notre Dame
Caleb Potter – Moose Jaw
Brennan Brown – Moose Jaw
Hudson Darby – Swift Current
Carter Moen – Swift Current
Parker Rondeau – Swift Current
Trae Wilke – Saskatoon Blazers
Anthony Wilson – Moose Jaw
8 players
Moose Jaw Warriors
Willam Degagne – Saskatoon Blazers
Kash Andresen – Saskatoon Blazers
Casey Brown – Regina
Pavel Mckenzie – Tisdale
Luke Moroz – Moose Jaw/Regina
Gage Nagel – Moose Jaw
Chase Petersen – Moose Jaw
Steven Steranka – Regina
8 players
Brandon Wheat Kings
Jayden Kraus – Prince Albert
Cameron Allard – Yorkton/Estevan
Nigel Boehm – Saskatoon Contacts
Joby Baumuller – Notre Dame
Chase Surkan – Regina
5 players
Medicine Hat Tigers
Dayton Reschny – Tisdale
1 player
Lethbridge Hurricanes
Carsen Adair – Warman
Carson Olsen – Prince Albert
Brayden Smith – Saskatoon Blazers
Jake Evans – Saskatoon Contacts
4 players
Calgary Hitmen
Calder Hamilton – Warman
Caine Wilke – Saskatoon Blazers
2 players
Red Deer Rebels
Chase Wutzke – Saskatoon Contacts
Jake Missura – Saskatoon Blazers
Beckett Hamilton – Warman
3 players
Edmonton Oil Kings
Kayden Stroeder – Saskatoon Contacts
1 player
Everett Silvertips
Rylan Pearce – Warman
Tarin Smith – Saskatoon Blazers
2 players
Kamloops Blazers
Logan Edmonstone – Saskatoon Contacts
Dryden Deobald – Regina
Carson OIsen – Prince Albert
Rhett Ravndahl – Prince Albert
4 players
Kelowna Rockets
Rowan Guest – Saskatoon Contacts
Dawson Gerwin – Battlefords/Warman
Jaxon Kehrig – Tisdale
3 players
Penticton Vees
Nolan Stevenson – Regina/Notre Dame
Morgan Tastad – Saskatoon Contacts
Kash Alger-East – Battlefords
Corban Almen – Saskatoon Blazers
Brady Birnie – Regina
5 players
Portland Winterhawks
Griffin Darby – Swift Current
Cameron Jacobson – Warman
Kayd Ruedig – Swift Current/Tisdale
Carsyn Dyck – Warman
Tyson Yaremko – Saskatoon Blazers/Swift Current
5 players
Prince George Cougars
Brady Holtvogt – Prince Albert
Bauer Dumanski – Tisdale
Eli Johnson – Regina
Riley Ashe – Saskatoon Blazers
Ethan Hamilton – Saskatoon Blazers/Prince Albert
Lee Shurgot – Saskatoon Blazers
6 players
Seattle Thunderbirds
Grayson Malinoski – Saskatoon Blazers
1 player
Spokane Chiefs
Cohen Harris – Saskatoon Blazers/Prince Albert
Sam Oremba – Regina
2 players
Tri-City Americans – NA
Vancouver Giants
Kelton Pyne – Regina/Estevan
Blake Chorney – Saskatoon Blazers
2 players
Victoria Royals
Carsten Kayter – Warman
Logan Pickford – Prince Albert/Saskatoon Contacts
Roan Woodward – Saskatoon Blazers/Tisdale
3 players
Wenatchee Wild
Boston Tait – Regina/Estevan
1 player
Total 88 players
