Everett Silvertips defenseman Kaden Hammell joins the show to talk about being drafted by the Seattle Kraken, elevating his game by playing with and against talents like Connor Bedard and Fraser Minten while growing up, his trade last season from Kamloops to Everett, and what it's like playing in the U.S. for the first time in the evolving hockey market that is Washington State.

In Headlines, we look at the highlights of the 63 WHL players who were named to NHL Central Scouting's early-season players to watch list.

This week's three stars feature an unstoppable forward, a steady netminder who's chasing a record and a surging homegrown veteran.

That first star of the week also happens to be a prospect of the Seattle Kraken, our NHL team of the week. Adam and Carol give the rundown of the 'Dub' players in their system.

Adam recaps his game of the week and gives his pick for this week's game to watch and highlights a trade from just one year ago as his pick from this week in WHL history.

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- The Vancouver Giants tried something different with their special referee appreciation jerseys. Adam was in the house and gives his impressions of the unique attire.

- Fourteen WHL players will represent Canada in November at the World U-17 Challenge in Prince Edward Island. Adam offers his thoughts on who to watch.

- Team Manitoba took home its first-ever win at the WHL Cup for 2008-born players.

- The Portland Winterhawks extended their winning streak to eight games and have been dominating their opponents, but a tough trek through Alberta starts this weekend.

- Adam and Carol give a rundown of some WHL graduates who are off to good starts in the AHL.

- Our three stars of the week feature a trio of high-scoring forwards who are putting up some gaudy numbers, and the San Jose Sharks are our NHL team of the week.

- Adam recaps his game of the week and gives his pick for this week's game to watch, and highlights a trade from seven years ago in this week in WHL history.

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- Fresh off seven points in three games and WHL Player of the Week honors, Ryder Ritchie joins the show to talk about his hot start to the season, moving around Europe while his dad was playing hockey, and winning gold with Team Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

- Adam also announces the launch of the new WHL league site at TheHockeyNews.com/WHL.

- In headlines, the Wenatchee Wild have hired a new head coach, Roy Sommer, as they prepare to head home from a long road trip.

- The WHL Cup runs this Wednesday through Sunday in Red Deer and features the best 2008-born prospects in Western Canada going head-to-head as they represent their provinces.

- Shaun Clouston of the Kamloops Blazers earns his first assistant-coach role at the U20 level for the upcoming World Junior Championship in Sweden, and the speculation begins about which WHLers could crack that roster.

- Our three stars of the week feature a red-hot right winger and two stingy stoppers in net, and the Los Angeles Kings are our NHL team of the week.

- Adam wants to see how Medicine Hat holds up at the end of a long road trip in Prince George in our WHL game of the weekend, and we celebrate a Vancouver Giants beatdown from 2009 back at the Pacific Coliseum on this week in WHL history.

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- We kick off our headlines segment by celebrating 500 WHL wins for Portland Winterhawks coach Mike Johnston.

- Also, three trades this week, as the Saskatoon Blades look to augment their roster.

- Free agent Sage Weinstein earns an NHL contract and two 'Dub' coaches get the nod to assist at November's World U-17 Challenge.

- Finally, we run down the list of WHL players who cracked the opening-night rosters for their NHL teams, including Connor Bedard's performance in his debut, along with Kevin Korchinski, Zach Benson and Fraser Minten.

- We've got four players muscling into our three stars of the week, and the Edmonton Oilers are our NHL team of the week.

- Adam selects big-boy hockey between Brandon and Tri-City as his WHL game of the weekend and takes us back 10 years to a hot streak for Portland that almost took them all the way to the Memorial Cup.

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- We kick things off by chatting with Jaden Lipinski of the Vancouver Giants about experiencing his first NHL training camp after being drafted by the Calgary Flames, going through it with teammate Sam Honzek, and his early thoughts on the Giants this season.

- Headlines include an update on suspended coach Kevin Constantine, a big-time suspension for a repeat offender, more new captains being named, WHL players such as Zach Benson who are shining at NHL training camps and the first big trade of the season.

- WHL rookie Terik Parascak headlines our three stars of the week.

- Lipinski and Honzek are the latest Western League players to join the system of the Calgary Flames, our NHL team of the week.

- Adam selects Saturday's matchup between Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat as his WHL game of the weekend.

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- In headlines, we look into the league's suspension of new Wenatchee Wild coach Kevin Constantine, just two games in, and how this seems to be part of a broader trend of players being more willing to speak up.

- Three WHL teams have named new head captains, four players have signed their entry-level contracts, and the Vancouver Giants have a high-profile new owner.

- We've got two red-hot forwards and a fast-starting goaltender profiled as our three stars of the week.

- This season's first NHL team of the week is the Anaheim Ducks, with four current WHL prospects in their system and a couple of others at training camp.

- The Hockey News editor-in-chief Ryan Kennedy has seven WHL players listed in his top 32 in his first prospects-to-watch list. Adam offers his thoughts on the top three.

- As Adam and Carol regretfully look to move on from the Connor Bedard Watch, they debate the idea of a weekly top prospect 'head-to-head' segment.

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- Carol and Adam discuss the biggest questions facing each team, as well as a player to watch.

- Can the Saskatoon Blades capture the East Division championship without the Winnipeg Ice in the picture? What will Jagger Firkus and Brayden Yager get up to for the Moose Jaw Warriors? How will the Regina Pats respond after losing Connor Bedard?

- Can the Red Deer Rebels stay out of the box? How many points can the 2022 No. 1 WHL pick, Gavin McKenna, put up for the Medicine Hat Tigers? And how will the Lethbridge Hurricanes deal with their new coach?

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Carol Schram and Adam Kierszenblat react to all the biggest news going on in the WHL, analyze players and teams, and even keep an eye out on NHL prospects who are already drafted or are gearing up for the 2024 draft. 

On this episode, Carol and Adam start with Part 1 of our 2023-24 WHL Season Preview:

- This week, we shine the spotlight on the 11 teams in the WHL's Western Conference, including the brand-new Wenatchee Wild.

- Carol outlines the teams that have made changes behind the bench and in the front office.

- Adam identifies the biggest question facing each team, as well as a key player that fans should keep an eye on.

- Adam also offers some thoughts on which teams might be trade deadline sellers and which teams could find themselves outside of the playoff mix next year.

- Finally, we share an overview of what things will look like as the Winnipeg Ice make the move to Wenatchee, where an eager fanbase should be waiting to welcome the new WHL franchise.

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- The 2023 NHL draft is in the books, and 33 players were selected from the WHL.

- We take a look at the six WHL players who went in the first round, including first overall pick Connor Bedard.

- Adam identifies two surprise fallers and two WHL picks that could turn out to be great value for the teams that chose them.

- Three WHL goalies were drafted, and a couple were not.

- Radko Gudas ends up as the biggest free-agency winner among WHL alumnae, inking a three-year deal to return to the west coast with the Anaheim Ducks.

- A quick look at this week's CHL import draft.

- And a look back at the season, with our favorite WHL memories of the year.

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- WHL league news includes longtime commissioner Ron Robison announcing his intention to retire after the 2023-24 season, solid attendance numbers from this season and the release of the schedule grid, including the new Wenatchee Wild.

- WHL alumni Mike Vernon and Ken Hitchcock have been announced as members of the class of 2023 for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

- The WHL was well represented on the roster of the Hershey Bears as they took home the 2023 Calder Cup with a Game 7 overtime win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

- Former WHLers Ryan Johansen and Gianni Fairbrother are both on the move in NHL trades this week.

- Mikael Backlund and Connor Bedard represented the WHL as winners at the 2023 NHL awards on Monday night.

- We profile the WHL's top draft-eligible forwards, led by Connor Bedard, Zach Benson, Nate Danielson and Samuel Honzek, and take a stab at predicting how many Western League players will be selected in the first round this year.

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- Saskatoon Blades defenseman Tanner Molendyk joins the show to talk about his impressive fitness testing results at the Scouting Combine and what it's been like growing up with an impressive crop of B.C.-born players in this year's draft class, including Connor Bedard.

- Speaking of Bedard, he added another accolade this week as he was named the IIHF's first-ever male player of the year.

- We've got a WHL franchise on the move, as the Winnipeg Ice are headed west and will become the Wenatchee Wild.

- The WHL was well represented when the Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup last week, starting with GM Kelly McCrimmon and working through a long list of players and staff members.

- Four WHL alums are finalists for next week's NHL Awards: Stuart Skinner (Calder), Brayden Point (Lady Byng), Lindy Ruff (Jack Adams) and Jim Nill (GM of the Year)

- We profile the WHL's top draft-eligible defensemen, led by Lukas Dragicevic, Molendyk and Luca Cagnoni

- The Washington Capitals are the NHL team of the week.

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- Connor Bedard is one of seven nominees for the IIHF's inaugural male player of the year award, which will be announced on June 19.

- Bedard also dominated the proceedings at last weekend's NHL Scouting Combine, with solid showings in both the physical testing and his interviews with the media.

- A number of other WHL players also showed well in the physical testing, including Scott Ratzlaff, Zach Benson and a pair of Vancouver Giants, Samuel Honzek and Jaden Lipinski.

- Seattle trades center Tij Iginla to the Kelowna Rockets for winger Grady Lenton and two draft picks

- Former WHL player and coach Ryan Huska is named the new coach of the Calgary Flames

- We profile the WHL's top draft-eligible goaltenders, led by Carson Bjarnason and Scott Ratzlaff, and take a look at the wildly different projections that the experts are presenting for the goalie field in Nashville later this month.

- The Pittsburgh Penguins are the NHL team of the week.

Here's where you can find the full episode on your desired platform.

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- Memorable moments from last week's Memorial Cup tournament in Kamloops, including CHL Award winners Connor Bedard and Olen Zellweger

- 19 WHL players, including Connor Bedard, will take part in this week's NHL Scouting Combine

- Signings and trades in the WHL

- Now that the BCHL has announced that it's going independent, will players make the jump to the WHL in order to maintain their affiliation with Hockey Canada? And what do we make of the rumors that the Aquilini family is looking to put a WHL team in Chilliwack?

- The Philadelphia Flyers are our NHL team of the week.

- Jaden Lipinski of the Vancouver Giants is the prospect of the week.

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- Player notes from the WHL, including signings at the junior and pro levels, trades, and prospects camps

- A medal haul for a dozen WHL alums from Latvia, Germany and Canada at the IIHF World Championship

- Memorial Cup Update through Day 4, with Quebec through to the championship game while the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers will duke it out head-to-head

- A preview of the WHL players in contention at Saturday's CHL Awards

- The New York Rangers are our NHL team of the week.

- Caden Price of the Kelowna Rockets is the prospect of the week.

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- A rundown of the WHL final, where the Seattle Thunderbirds flexed their muscle to take down the Winnipeg Ice in five games.

- More signings from the WHL prospect draft and a trade between the Vancouver Giants and the Brandon Wheat Kings.

- Memorial Cup Preview, including a rundown of the changes to this year's tournament format.

- Previews of the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers, including players to watch and an under-the-radar player from each team.

- The New York Islanders are our NHL team of the week. Their one prospect in the WHL plays on the Blazers, so the Memorial Cup awaits him.

- Nate Danielson of the Brandon Wheat Kings is the NHL draft prospect of the week.

Here's where you can find the full episode on your desired platform.

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- Two-time WHL defenseman of the year Olen Zellweger joins the show to talk about his big year, his deadline trade to the Kamloops Blazers, and his team's desire to put its best foot forward when hosting the Memorial Cup later this month.

- Updates on the WHL final, which has been a battle so far between the Winnipeg Ice and Seattle Thunderbirds.

- A quick check-in on the OHL and QMJHL Finals, which will determine which teams those leagues send to Kamloops for the Memorial Cup.

- A rundown of last week's WHL Prospects Draft.

- The New Jersey Devils are our team of the week, with two current prospects in the WHL and other Dub players on the big club and in the AHL.

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- Vancouver Giants forward Ty Halaburda joins the show to talk about his experience winning bronze with Team Canada at the World Men's U-18 Championship and his preparation for the draft in June in Nashville.

- We run through most of this year's WHL Award winners, with multiple recipients from the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Kamloops Blazers.

- Wrap-ups of both WHL Conference finals, and a preview of the WHL final between the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Winnipeg Ice, which kicks off Friday.

- Seven WHL alumni are suiting up for Canada at the men's World Championship, which also begins Friday in Latvia and Finland. Most noteworthy, Milan Lucic is playing in his first-ever IIHF event at age 34!

- The Columbus Blue Jackets are our team of the week, with three prospects in the WHL this season and a long list of 'Dub' alumni on both their big club and their farm team in Cleveland.

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- The WHL prospects draft is scheduled for Thursday, May 11, so scouting director Joel Henderson of Puck Preps joins the show to talk about the scouting process for bantam-age players and some names to look out for next week.

- U-18 Worlds - nine WHL players and a couple of other Western Canadian prospects capture the bronze medal for Canada with an overtime win over Slovakia.

- WHL playoff update through Game 2, with Winnipeg and Seattle both taking advantage of home ice.

- The Carolina Hurricanes are our NHL team of the week, and former WHL star Seth Jarvis is chipping in for them during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

- For our prospect of the week, we go deep into the rankings to spotlight fast-rising defenseman Matteo Fabrizi of the Red Deer Rebels.

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- We chat with Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nico Myatovic about his climb up the NHL Central Scouting draft rankings, his team's success in the playoffs so far, the opportunity to play in his hometown of Prince George in the second round and what lies ahead as the Thunderbirds face the Kamloops Blazers.

- In the WHL playoffs, the semifinal matchups are set after the Saskatoon Blades won in Game 7 on Tuesday night. Carol and Adam previewed the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers series in Tuesday's recording.

- The Vegas Golden Knights are the NHL team of the week. Their system is rich with talent from the WHL at all levels, and it all traces back to GM Kelly McCrimmon.

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- A rundown of the nominees for this year's major WHL Awards.

- Eight WHL players will be skating at the 2023 World U-18 Championship, which kicks off Thursday.

- How players from the Dub fared in the final rankings from NHL Central Scouting, which dropped on Tuesday.

- A second-round update on the WHL playoffs.

- Our game of the week is Game 2 between the Moose Jaw Warriors and Winnipeg Ice

- Our three stars of the week all hail from the Western Conference - two Kamloops Blazers and one Seattle Thunderbird.

- The Vancouver Canucks are our NHL team of the week. The Canucks have made a point of tapping into the 'Dub' pipeline to fill out their prospect pool for their farm team in Abbotsford.

- The NHL draft prospect of the week is Brayden Yager of the Moose Jaw Warriors.

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- A rundown of results from the first round of the 2023 WHL playoffs, including check-ins on Adam's predictions

- Previews and predictions for all four series in Round 2

- An OT series-clincher for our WHL game of the week

- A winger, a center and a goalie as our three stars of the week

- The Seattle Kraken are our NHL team of the week, with one draft prospect in the WHL and a strong representation of WHL alums in their system at the AHL and NHL levels.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, our final look at his WHL playoff performance, as he fought valiantly to get his underdog Regina Pats to Game 7 before falling to the Saskatoon Blades. Will he become the latest draft-eligible star to suit up for his country at the upcoming World Championship in May?

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- Headlines, including four suspended players returning to the Moose Jaw Warriors, Zach Benson's ongoing tenure on the injured list with Winnipeg and the announcement of the four divisional nominees for the annual WHL Business Award.

- Early trends in the first round of the WHL playoffs.

- A double-overtime thriller for our game of the week.

- Our three stars of the week, all with important contributions to their teams' early playoff success.

- The San Jose Sharks are our NHL team of the week, with a couple of drafted prospects currently in the 'Dub' and many more on their big club and at the AHL level.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, a look at another incredible performance from Bedard as his underdog Regina Pats stole the first two games of their playoff series against the favored Saskatoon Blades.

- How the top performers in the WHL playoffs so far compare with their peers in the OHL and the QMJHL.

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- A look at how the WHL's rising goal-scoring trend this season mirrors the NHL.

- Our three stars of the week, including an eight-point outing for this week's first star.

- Who's in and who's out, with the WHL playoffs set to begin Friday.

- The Prince Albert Raiders are sitting pretty after the WHL draft lottery.

- Our 2023 WHL playoffs preview, with predictions for all eight matchups and a player to watch from all 16 teams.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, a look back at Bedard's phenomenal regular season and how it stacks up against some of hockey's other top draft-eligible players from across the CHL over the decades, as well as how he and his Regina Pats match up against the Saskatoon Blades in Round 1.

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- An update on the standings and the playoff race as we head into the final weekend of the WHL regular season, and a number retirement in Portland.

- Our three stars of the week, including an eight-point outing for this week's first star.

- A pair of WHL import players who have made some noise in their first WHL seasons.

- The Los Angeles are our NHL team of the week, with some notable WHL alumni in their system including current coach Todd McLellan, and some other prominent 'Dub' players in their history.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, a huge week for the projected No. 1 NHL draft pick, who has two regular-season games remaining to see if he can hit 150 points in just 57 games played.

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- An update on the discipline handed down to the Moose Jaw Warriors team following an incident in Edmonton in mid-February, and notes on two injuries which could be significant.

- Our three stars of the week, including a comeback tale out of Red Deer.

- Two under-the-radar players who lead their teams in scoring are featured in this week's player spotlight.

- The Edmonton Oilers are our NHL team of the week and have two prospects currently on WHL rosters as well as James Hamblin, Tyler Benson and Noah Philp with the AHL Bakersfield Condors.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, a quiet week from the projected first-overall draft pick, whose extremely busy schedule this season might be catching up with him. And there's no rest in his immediate future, as the Regina Pats play four games over the next seven days.

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- An update on the WHL playoff race, and WHL prospect Chloe Primerano stars for Team B.C. in the female Canada Winter Games hockey tournament.

- This week's three stars of the week include a pair of defensemen and a goalie who stood tall against Connor Bedard.

- In our player profile, two undrafted WHL players sign free-agent contracts with NHL clubs.

- The Calgary Flames are our NHL team of the week. WHL prospects in the Calgary system include Connor Zary, Matthew Phillips and Dustin Wolf at the AHL level, along with Lucas Ciona, Cole Jordan and Parker Bell still in the 'Dub.'

- In our Connor Bedard watch, the projected first-overall pick put up nine points in two games to leapfrog Connor McDavid's point total from his draft year. How far will he go before the end of the year?

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- Updates on playoff races and Dub players changing affiliations at the NHL trade deadline in the WHL Headlines.

- Big scorers from two of the league's top teams and a repeat entry who could not be denied in our three stars of the week.

- This week's player profile features five WHL-affiliated players who made a name for themselves at the recent Canada Winter Games.

- The Anaheim Ducks are our NHL team of the week. WHL prospects in the Anaheim system include Olen Zellweger, Sean Tschigerl, Gage Alexander, Benjamin King and Connor Hvidston.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, the projected first-overall pick is six points away from tying Connor McDavid's point total from his draft year in two fewer games. Can he meet or beat McDavid's 120 points in 47 games this weekend?

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- Top draft prospects Andrew Cristall and Samuel Honzek return from significant injuries, and we've got a 15-year-old 'Dub' star tearing up the Canada Winter Games in WHL Headlines.

- We've got a surging goalie and two sharp scorers in the spotlight in the three stars of the week.

- Our player profile features Grayden Siepmann and Borya Valis, who were both passed over in the 2022 draft but could find themselves in the mix in Nashville this June.

- The Toronto Maple Leafs are our NHL team of the week. WHL prospects in the Lightning system include Brandon Lisowsky, Fraser Minten and Josh Pillar, whose rights were just acquired as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, Bedard hit 100 points in the WHL on the same night Connor McDavid did it in the NHL. We do the math on how Bedard's totals to date stack up against McDavid's draft year.

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- Suspensions in Moose Jaw and an award for Kelly McCrimmon in WHL headlines.

- A trio of under-the-radar scorers earn the spotlight in the three stars of the week.

- Our player profile features Jake Poole and Jackson Berezowski, two undrafted players who are set to become free agents at the end of this season.

- The Tampa Bay Lightning are the NHL team of the week. WHL prospects in the Lightning system include Niko Huuhtanen, Gage Goncalves, Jack Finley and Jaydon Dureau.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, the projected first-overall draft pick puts up another five-point night and is now on the verge of surpassing his goal and point totals from last season, with more than a month left in the season.

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- Scott Ratzlaff, Reily Heidt and Kalan Lind were among the standouts from the WHL at this week's Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

- Two goalies and a high-scoring forward factor into the Three Stars Of The Week.

- The Ottawa Senators are the NHL Team of the Week. Top prospects from the WHL include Zack Ostapchuk and Carson Latimer, while 2020 first-rounder Ridly Greig picked up an assist in his NHL debut with the Senators on Jan. 25.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, the NHL's top prospect surprises everyone by going pointless in the Top Prospects Game in his hometown, reunited with a large group of B.C. players that he grew up playing with and against.

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- Connor Bedard tops the mid-term rankings from NHL Central Scouting. The WHL figures prominently at the top of the North American lists. Lizz tells us who she thinks is too high and who's too low.

- Two of this week's three stars hail from the Everett Silvertips and one from the Victoria Royals, with both teams in tight races for playoff positioning.

- The Montreal Canadiens are the NHL team of the week. Their fifth-round pick from 2022, Jared Davidson, is having an excellent season back with the Seattle Thunderbirds. WHL alumni in the Canadiens organization include Gianni Fairbrother, Kaiden Guhle, Kirby Dach, Joel Edmundson and Brendan Gallagher.

- Our goalies of the week were traded for each other, not long before the deadline. Braden Holt is excelling in Victoria, while Tyler Palmer has been a workhorse in Everett.

- In our Connor Bedard Watch, eight points and two game-winners for the WHL's top scorer this week, as Bedard hits 600 shots in his Dub career to date. Lizz sets a points target she wants Bedard to meet this week before he heads to the Top Prospects game, and Carol ponders his place in the history of B.C.'s top hockey players.

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- A long list of WHL players excelled at the World Junior Championship. Carol and Lizz looked at who stood out beyond Connor Bedard, including Canadian coach Dennis Williams.

- The WHL trade deadline was pure chaos. The Kamloops Blazers loaded up for their Memorial Cup hosting duties by sending an unprecedented return to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for Olen Zellweger and Ryan Hofer. There were also many other big moves, including a couple of high-profile pros being re-assigned to junior.

- The Florida Panthers are the NHL team of the week. Their prospects in the WHL this season are Marek Alscher and Josh Davies. WHL graduates Justin Sourdif and John Ludvig are currently developing with Charlotte of the AHL.

- In our Connor Bedard watch, the world juniors MVP picked up six points in his first game back with the Regina Pats. How many points will he finish with this season, and is there a chance he goes back to the 'Dub' next year to challenge for Ray Ferraro's single-season goals record?

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- Nineteen of 40 players selected to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game come from the WHL. Who are the players to watch?

- The Detroit Red Wings are profiled this week. They don't have any prospects currently in the WHL, but they do have some interesting players from the 'Dub', including goalie Sebastian Cossa and forward Michael Rasmussen.

- The Connor Bedard Watch looks at his feisty side in the pre-tournament games at the world juniors.

- Speaking of which, Lizz Child explains her world juniors predictions from this week's writers and podcasters poll. Spoiler alert: She did not pick Bedard as the tournament MVP.

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- The Seattle Thunderbirds, Victoria Royals and Edmonton Oil Kings all made some trades.

- Who are the WHL players invited to Team Canada's world juniors camp? Who are some snubs?

- The Teddy Bear Tosses have begun, with news from Calgary and Spokane.

- Brandon Wheat Kings players Jake Chiasson, Calder Anderson, Nolan Ritchie and Ben Thornton are all the first stars of the week for successfully assisting a man in distress.

- The Buffalo Sabres are the NHL team profile of the week. Matthew Savoie is one of the Sabres' prospects in the WHL and is considered one of the snubs from the Canadian world juniors roster.

- And more, including the weekly Connor Bedard report. Trade rumors are circulating around him, but he likely won't be traded ahead of the Jan. 10 trade deadline.

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- Trades continue to come in with Victoria getting some draft picks, Kelowna making a pair of moves and some other big moves. Are the Victoria Royals gearing up for a rebuild?

- Regina's Tanner Howe is the WHL first star of the week.

- The Winnipeg Jets and the Boston Bruins are the NHL teams profiled this week. Winnipeg had some invitees over the summer while Boston has a key prospect in goalie Reid Dyck.

- World Junior Championship Preview: Looking at strong WHL representation among Canada's forwards.

- And more.

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- There were more trades for the Seattle Thunderbirds, including acquiring defenseman Nolan Allan.

- The Victoria Royals acquire another overage player, left winger Alex Thacker

- Former Portland Winterhawks captain Nick Cicek makes his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks

- The St. Louis Blues are the NHL team of the week. Only one Blues prospect is in the WHL right now, defenseman Tyson Galloway. However, they have two key WHL alumni in their system: Jake Neighbours and Joel Hofer.

- Koehn Ziemmer of the Prince George Cougars is the 2023 NHL draft-eligible prospect of the week.

- And more, including the weekly Connor Bedard report.

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- The WHL trade talk heats up after as contenders are starting to go all-in for a spot in the Memorial Cup.

- Which WHLers played the best at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last week in British Columbia?

- Forward Riley Heidt tops the three stars of the week with nine points in three games for the Prince George Cougars.

- The Nashville Predators are the NHL team profile of the week, with defensemen Graham Sward and Luke Prokop representing the Preds in the 'Dub'.

- Dante Giannuzzi is the featured goalie of the week. The 20-year-old has a 9-1-1 record for the Portland Winterhawks in 2022-23.

- Carol and Lizz return with another Connor Bedard report.

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- The Arizona Coyotes announced Dylan Guenther will stay in the NHL, likely spelling the end of his time in the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

- The Minnesota Wild have four promising prospects in the WHL, including Caedan Bankier who's had 15 points in 12 games for the Kamloops Blazers.

- Chase Bertholet of Spokane is the first star of the week while Austin Elliot of Saskatoon is the goalie spotlight of the week.

- Much more, including another Connor Bedard report.

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- Some trade action in the WHL is underway as the Winnipeg ICE acquired defenseman Graham Sward from the Spokane Chiefs. The fifth-round selection in the 2022 NHL draft by the Nashville Predators has four points in eight games this season.

- Connor Bedard Watch: Bedard received WHL player of the month honors for September and October with his 29 points in 15 games. The anticipated No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft earned three or more points on four occasions.

- Gracyn Sawchyn of the Seattle Thunderbirds is the NHL draft-eligible prospect of the week. The 5-foot-11 165-pound center played for the United States National Team Development Program last season, scoring 55 points in 87 games before signing with WHL Seattle for 2022-23.

- Dallas Stars prospects in the WHL are featured in this week's episode. Learn more about Matthew Seminoff, Conner Roulette and Logan Stankoven.

- Much more.

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- The NHL Central Scouting preliminary players to watch list was released on Tuesday. Who got noticed from the WHL?

- The WHL's three stars of the week are Mazden Leslie of the Vancouver Giants, Carson Bjarnanson of the Brandon Wheat Kings and Tyson Greenway of the Tri-City Americans. What's there to know about them?

- This week's NHL team profile is the Chicago Blackhawks. They have three prospects in the WHL, including the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, Kevin Korchinski. The Blackhawks also have two WHL alumni on their roster.

- Left winger Andrew Cristall is the 2023 NHL draft-eligible prospect of the week. The Kelowna Rockets' alternate captain has 15 points in 10 games to start the season and is expected to be taken in the second half of the first round.

- And more, including the latest Connor Bedard update.

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In this inaugural episode, they analyze the three stars of the week in the WHL – Austin Roest of the Everett Silvertips, Tyler Palmer of the Victoria Royals and Lucas Ciona of the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Carol and Lizz also take a look at goalie Daniel Hauser of the Winnipeg ICE and 2023 NHL draft-eligible prospect Luca Cagnoni, preview the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Langley, B.C. and list current and former WHL players on the Arizona Coyotes.

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