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WHL

WHL playoffs: Hitmen knock off Blades 4-1, lead series 3-0

The Canadian Press 4 minute read 1:44 AM CDT

SASKATOON - Tanner Howe had a goal and assist, Hunter Aura chipped in with two assists, and the visiting Calgary Hitmen knocked off the Saskatoon Blades 4-1 in Western Hockey League playoff action on Tuesday at the SaskTel Centre.

David Adaszynski, Ben Kindel and Connor Hvidston also scored for the Hitmen who took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first-round, best-of-seven series.

David Lewandowski scored for the Blades, who were outshot 30-21. The Blades trailed 1-0 after the first period and 3-1 heading into the third.

The Blades went 1-for-4 on the power play while the Hitmen were 0-for-1.

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Victoire focus on positives after 1-0 loss to lowly Sirens

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Victoire focus on positives after 1-0 loss to lowly Sirens

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:13 PM CDT

MONTREAL - Montreal Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie sat in front of a microphone at her post-game press conference and used it to send a message to her team after a 1-0 loss to the New York Sirens on Tuesday night.

Only it wasn’t the message you would expect.

“I celebrated so many positive things,” Cheverie said. “And I think that’s what we need to focus on a little bit instead of being negative all the time. It’s constant."

In their first game after clinching a Professional Women's Hockey League playoff berth, the first-place Victoire were outshot 31-16 by the last-place Sirens fighting for their playoff lives. Corinne Schroeder earned her third shutout of the season.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:13 PM CDT

Montreal Victoire's Lina Ljungblom (25) gets in the face of New York Sirens goalie Corinne Schroeder (30) as she tries to score during second period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe
Montreal Victoire's Lina Ljungblom (25) gets in the face of New York Sirens goalie Corinne Schroeder (30) as she tries to score during second period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe

Last-place Sirens upset front-running Victoire 1-0

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Last-place Sirens upset front-running Victoire 1-0

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 11:14 PM CDT

MONTREAL - The New York Sirens put a boost into their faint Professional Women's Hockey League playoff hopes with a 1-0 win over the first-place Montreal Victoire on Tuesday night in front of 8,798 at Place Bell.

Jade Downie-Landry opened the scoring with 11.7 seconds left in the first period with a shot off the post and in after a Gabbie Rosenthal faceoff win. The goal came three seconds after a five-minute power play was killed by Montreal.

Corinne Schroeder made 16 saves, and was not tested much by the Victoire (11-6-3-7). It was her third shutout of the season, and the fewest shots she faced in a full game this season. Elaine Chuli made 30 saves in her third start since the injury to Victoire starting goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens.

New York had the game’s first power play, after Kati Tabin was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for a check to the head of Sirens forward Jessie Eldridge. New York went 0-for-3 with the advantage.

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Updated: Yesterday at 11:14 PM CDT

New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring on Montreal Victoire during first period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe
New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring on Montreal Victoire during first period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Tuesday, April 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter McCabe

Sirens star Sarah Fillier playing her ‘best hockey’ in first pro season

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Sirens star Sarah Fillier playing her ‘best hockey’ in first pro season

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 1:19 PM CDT

MONTREAL - Sarah Fillier has long stood out as one of the best players in hockey.

The list of accolades includes an Olympic gold medal and three world championship crowns.

Despite all that international success, the New York Sirens rookie forward believes her game has reached new heights in the Professional Women's Hockey League.

"The best hockey of my career," the 24-year-old from Georgetown, Ont., said of this season's output after practice earlier this week. "I've had a ton of experience to grow with so far."

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Yesterday at 1:19 PM CDT

New York Sirens' Sarah Fillier (10) celebrates her goal with the bench while taking on the Ottawa Charge during third period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
New York Sirens' Sarah Fillier (10) celebrates her goal with the bench while taking on the Ottawa Charge during third period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Jets prospects: Yager an exciting piece of the club’s future

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Preview

Jets prospects: Yager an exciting piece of the club’s future

Mike McIntyre 8 minute read Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

The Winnipeg Jets currently have 21 drafted and developing skaters in various leagues and levels who could one day work their way up to the big club. Ten of them are currently with the Manitoba Moose while 11 are scattered around the Canadian Hockey League, college and European clubs.

To help you keep tabs, we are checking in on the kids each month over the course of the season.

The playoffs have arrived for several of the organization’s top prospects, which provides a chance to see how they perform under increased pressure. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and his staff will be pleased by the early returns.

Let’s start in the Western Hockey League with the top forward in the system, Brayden Yager, who has led his Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 2-0 first-round series lead over the Brandon Wheat Kings.

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Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

Erica Perreaux / Lethbridge Hurricanes

Lethbridge Hurricanes star, and top-rated Jets prospect, Brayden Yager celebrates one of his two goals in a 4-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday.
Erica Perreaux / Lethbridge Hurricanes Lethbridge Hurricanes star, and top-rated Jets prospect, Brayden Yager celebrates one of his two goals in a 4-3 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday.

Stacey, Vanisova, Watts named PWHL’s three stars of the week

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Stacey, Vanisova, Watts named PWHL’s three stars of the week

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

TORONTO - Montreal Victoire forward Laura Stacey, Ottawa Charge forward Tereza Vanisova and Toronto Sceptres forward Daryl Watts have been named the Professional Women’s Hockey League's three stars of the week.

Stacey earned first-star honours after totalling two goals and two assists in Montreal’s 4-1 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday.

Stacey had her fourth power-play goal of the season, tied with five others for the league lead, and her third game-winning goal as she became just the fifth player in PWHL history to record four points in a game.

Vanisova scored twice in 32 seconds — the fastest two goals by the same player in PWHL history — in Ottawa's 2-1 win over Boston on Saturday in St. Louis.

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Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

Toronto Sceptres' Daryl Watts, right, takes the puck past New York Sirens' Chloe Aurar during second period PWHL hockey action in Toronto, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Toronto Sceptres' Daryl Watts, right, takes the puck past New York Sirens' Chloe Aurar during second period PWHL hockey action in Toronto, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Victoire place Ann-Renée Desbiens on LTIR, status for worlds to be determined

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Victoire place Ann-Renée Desbiens on LTIR, status for worlds to be determined

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

MONTREAL - The Montreal Victoire are confident Ann-Renée Desbiens will return to action in the near future.

Whether that’s soon enough to suit up between the pipes for Canada at the women’s world hockey championship still needs to be determined.

“It’s the type of injury that needs day-to-day and week-to-week monitoring,” Victoire general manager Danièle Sauvageau said Monday at Verdun Auditorium. "A lot of things can improve.”

Desbiens — Canada’s No. 1 goalie — was named to the national team’s world championship roster despite sustaining what appeared to be a serious lower-body injury March 18 in Professional Women’s Hockey League action against the Boston Fleet.

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Monday, Mar. 31, 2025

Ottawa Charge's Victoria Bach (12) is stopped by Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens during third period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Ottawa Charge's Victoria Bach (12) is stopped by Montreal Victoire goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens during third period PWHL hockey action in Laval, Que., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

WHL playoffs: Preston nets hat trick as Chiefs edge Giants 7-5

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 30, 2025

LANGLEY, B.C. - Mathis Preston scored three goals, Chase Harrington and Nathan Mayes had two assists each, and the visiting Spokane Chiefs hung on to beat the Vancouver Giants 7-5 in Western Hockey League playoff action on Sunday at Langley Events Centre.

Berkly Catton with two goals, Shea Van Olm and Cameron Parr also scored for the Chiefs, who grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first-round, best-of-seven series. The Chiefs won Friday's opener 4-1.

Adam Titlbach, Connor Levis, Cameron Schmidt, Colton Roberts and Tyler Thorpe scored third-period goals for the Giants. Schmidt also had three assists. 

The Chiefs led 1-0 after the first period, then scored four goals in six minutes to start the second period and took a 5-0 lead into the third. The visitors outshot the Giants 57-37, including 33-8 in the second period.

WHL playoffs: Reschny leads Royals to 6-2 win over Americans

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Saturday, Mar. 29, 2025

VICTORIA - Cole Reschny scored twice and added an assist, Teydon Trembecky had a goal and four assists, and the Victoria Royals beat the Tri-City Americans 6-2 in Western Hockey League playoff action on Saturday at Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena.

Nolan Stewart, Keaton Verhoeff and Kenta Isogai also scored for the Royals, who won Friday's opener in the best-of-seven playoff series 3-0.

Jake Sloan and Brandon Whynott scored power-play goals for the Americans, who were outshot 33-31. Max Curran had two assists.

The Royals went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Americans were 2-for-7.

WHL Roundup: Ratzlaff makes 45 saves, Thunderbirds upset Silvertips in Game 1

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Saturday, Mar. 29, 2025

EVERETT - Scott Ratzlaff stopped 45 shots to help the Seattle Thunderbirds hang on for a 3-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League playoffs on Friday.

The Thunderbirds took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Seattle had a 30-33-5 record during the regular season for 65 points, the least of any team in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Everett led the WHL with 104 points and a 48-12-8 record.

Scheifele invests in newest WHL franchise, partners with past billet family

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Scheifele invests in newest WHL franchise, partners with past billet family

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

Mark Scheifele knows a thing or two about the type of environment required to foster optimal development of a top junior hockey prospect.

So, it comes as little surprise that the Winnipeg Jets centre is getting on board as a partner with majority owner Graham Fraser, as the Penticton Vees hockey team gets set to join the Western Hockey League for the 2025-26 season.

Scheifele has a strong connection to the Fraser family, as they were his billets during two seasons with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

“He’s owned the Penticton Vees for a long time,” said Scheifele. “I’m obviously a guy that played junior and had my junior career living with them, and they made my experience so special.

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Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele will mentor the next generation of junior players in partnership with majority Penticton Vees owner Graham Fraser.
John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele will mentor the next generation of junior players in partnership with majority Penticton Vees owner Graham Fraser.

Charge stunned with costly collapse to Sirens, need to ‘dig in’ to make playoffs

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Charge stunned with costly collapse to Sirens, need to ‘dig in’ to make playoffs

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2025

OTTAWA - No matter the outcome Carla MacLeod could usually find a silver lining, but an epic collapse had the Ottawa Charge coach at a loss for words.

With her team fighting to gain ground in the Professional Women’s Hockey League standings, MacLeod’s team suffered one of its worst losses on Tuesday night and now needs to find a way to turn things around and quickly.

With just five games remaining in the regular season, the Charge (9-1-4-11) sit fifth, two points back of the Minnesota Frost for the fourth and final playoff spot.

The Charge failed to make the playoffs last season, squandering numerous opportunities to clinch a playoff spot down the stretch, and will need to be at their best if they hope to qualify this season.

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Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2025

New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) falls to the ice with Ottawa Charge's Shiann Darkangelo (27) during second period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) falls to the ice with Ottawa Charge's Shiann Darkangelo (27) during second period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Sirens score six times in third period to upset Charge 6-3

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Sirens score six times in third period to upset Charge 6-3

Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Charge’s playoff hopes took a beating Tuesday night following a 6-3 loss to the New York Sirens.

The Charge (9-1-4-11) blew a 3-0 third-period lead and allowed the last-place Sirens (6-4-4-12) to score six unanswered goals.

Ottawa, which sits fifth and outside the playoff picture, looked to be well in control of the game after a solid 40 minutes, but an early goal in the third from Brooke Hobson gave New York life.

Back-to-back penalties allowed the Sirens to tie the game. 

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Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) celebrates her goal against the Ottawa Charge with teammates during third period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
New York Sirens' Jade Downie-Landry (27) celebrates her goal against the Ottawa Charge with teammates during third period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Vanisova, Campbell, Tapani named PWHL’s three stars of the week

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Vanisova, Campbell, Tapani named PWHL’s three stars of the week

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Mar. 24, 2025

TORONTO - Ottawa Charge forward Tereza Vanisova, Toronto Sceptres goaltender Kristen Campbell and Boston Fleet forward Susanna Tapani have been named the Professional Women’s Hockey League's three stars of the week.  

Vanisova, the league's first star, scored three goals in a span of eight minutes 44 seconds in a 5-2 win over New York on Saturday.

She is the first player in PWHL history to record two hat tricks in a season.

Campbell was in goal for a pair of 2-1 victories for the Sceptres.

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Monday, Mar. 24, 2025

Ottawa Charge's Tereza Vanisova (13) tries to keep Minnesota Frost's Mellissa Channell-Watkins (23) away from the puck during first period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Ottawa Charge's Tereza Vanisova (13) tries to keep Minnesota Frost's Mellissa Channell-Watkins (23) away from the puck during first period PWHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

WHL awards expansion franchise to Penticton Vees

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

WHL awards expansion franchise to Penticton Vees

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Monday, Mar. 24, 2025

CALGARY - The Western Hockey League has awarded an expansion franchise to Penticton, B.C. for the 2025-26 season.

The WHL made the announcement Monday, in addition to initiating a franchise application process for Chilliwack, B.C., to begin play in the 2026-27 campaign.

The expansion increases the number of teams in the league to 24 by 2026-27, with 18 teams in western Canada and six in the United States.

The Penticton Vees will join the B.C. Division in the Western Conference.

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Monday, Mar. 24, 2025

The Western Hockey League (WHL) logo is shown in a handout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
The Western Hockey League (WHL) logo is shown in a handout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

WHL roundup: Giants ground Rockets 5-1 in final game before playoffs

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Sunday, Mar. 23, 2025

LANGLEY, B.C. - Jaden Lipinski and Colton Roberts each had a goal and assist as the Vancouver Giants ended their regular season with a convincing 5-1 Western Hockey League victory over the visiting Kelowna Rockets on Sunday at Langley Events Centre.

Tyus Sparks, Ty Halaburda and Adam Titlbach also scored for the Giants (34 — 26-8-0), who will open the WHL playoffs on Friday with a best-of-seven series against the Spokane Chiefs.

Jakub Stancl scored for the Rockets (18-44-4-2), who trailed 4-0 after the first period and were outshot 34-33.

The Rockets, who missed the playoffs, went 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Giants were 1-for-3.

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