The NHL and NHLPA have released details about the new CBA that will come into effect for the 2026-27 season. The new agreement features numerous changes, including a playoff salary cap, the elimination of team-enforced dress codes and contract length limits. The 167-page document also includes a new rule regarding AHL eligibility, which will affect WHL players moving forward. 

The 21st item in the new CBA has to do with what age players can join the AHL. The exact wording is, "NHL will reopen its agreement with the CHL to seek to eliminate the mandatory return rule for 19-year-old Players. NHL will seek to limit NHL Clubs to Loaning no more than one (1) 19-year-old Player per year to the AHL without the requirement of first offering such Player to his junior Club." In short, this means that a select number of players can make the jump to the AHL a year early if their drafted NHL team feels they are ready to turn pro. 

Just like the new NCAA rule, this will impact the WHL. While only 32 players will be eligible for this rule, some will likely be from the WHL. Ultimately, this could impact how teams prepare for the season, as WHL franchises may lose their best players a year early. 

The first players that this rule will impact are those born in 2007. Some notable names who could make the jump to the AHL early include Ben Kindel, Braeden Cootes and Radim Mrtka. These three players were all drafted in the top 15 of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and could be deemed ready at 19 to join the AHL. 

Ultimately, these new eligibility rules will impact not only WHL teams but also organizations across the CHL. While it is a positive that players have new options available, management groups from all 61 teams will need to adjust how they plan for the future. In the end, it will be interesting to see which players are selected to make the jump to the AHL early, as the list is sure to include those from the WHL.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more from The Hockey News.

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Calgary Hitmen Forward Ben Kindel Signs Entry-Level Contract With The Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed Ben Kindel to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Calgary Hitmen forward was drafted by Pittsburgh 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Kindel is the second WHLer from this year's draft to sign his ELC, joining Lydon Lakovic, who the Washington Capitals signed on July 5. 

Kindle had a career year in 2024-25, recording 99 points in 65 games. He also won a Gold Medal with Canada at the 2025 U18s, producing seven points in five games. Kindle was the third WHLer selected in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and was one of three players from the WHL who the Penguins drafted. 

At this point, Kindel is projected to return to the WHL for the 2025-26 season. If he does, the 18-year-old has a good chance of once again being one of the league leaders in points. Kindel will also be a name to watch for Canada's 2026 World Juniors team. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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Moose Jaw Warriors' Matthew Hutchison Using Canucks Development Camp To Grow His Game

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Matthew Hutchison was one of many WHLers who attended an NHL Development Camp this year. The Moose Jaw Warriors goaltender was an invitee with the Vancouver Canucks, where he had the opportunity to work with the organization he grew up cheering for. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience for Hutchison, who plans to apply what he learned next season in the WHL. 

As mentioned, Hutchison grew up as a Canucks fan. The Nanaimo-born goaltender had spent his entire career playing in BC before being traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors this past season. According to Hutchison, being invited to Vancouver's Development Camp was a special moment and one he does not take for granted. 

"It means the world to me, said Hutchison. "Growing up, they're my team. It's essentially my hometown team. We've talked about them all my life, me and all my buddies. So, getting the call to be able to come to training camp and be a part of the team for a period of time is huge. It's a great staff here, great players and just all around, great experience to learn and grow my game."

Hutchison was one of 16 undrafted players who attended Canucks Development Camp. Organizations often invite undrafted or unsigned prospects to their camp in order to get a better idea of players they may sign in the future. As Hutchison explained, even though he isn't a drafted prospect, Vancouver's staff spent time working with him and gave him every opportunity to stand out during the week-long development camp. 

Meet The Vancouver Canucks 2025 Development Camp InviteesThe Vancouver Canucks open their 2025 Development Camp on June 30, with 33 players in attendance. On top of Vancouver's drafted prospects, the Canucks have invited 16 additional players to join the week-long camp. Here is a look at which players Vancouver invited this year. 

"I think the biggest thing I've noticed is just how much it feels like every coach wants to help every player here, no matter if they're drafted, signed, invited to the camp, whatnot. Yeah, just the energy and positivity here is unbelievable."

Lastly, Hutchison was asked about some of the lesson's he learned while at camp. Not only did the 18-year-old get to work with NHL coaches, but players he could be facing off against in the future. According to Hutchison, his goal was to be a sponge and absorb as much knowledge as he could throughout the camp. 

"I think, honestly, just looking around, seeing as much as I can. Whether that's looking at other goalies, like Younger (Ty Young) or Aku (Koskenvuo), and seeing what I can learn from them, or whether it's Marco Ian, just anything I can take in. I'm trying to soak in every little model I have here and use everything I see, and I'm involved with to better myself and grow my game."

The 2025-26 season is a big opportunity for Hutchison. He is the Warriors projected starter, and will be one of the top WHL goaltenders available for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. If Hutchison can have a strong campaign, he could be headed to a Development Camp next year, but this time as a drafted prospect. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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2025 NHL Draft: Steals And Snubs From The WHL

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft was another success for the WHL. In the end, 33 WHLers heard their names called as they were drafted into the NHL. This includes nine in the first round, which accounts for 28.125% of the picks. 

Overall, the CHL had a great weekend, as 93 total players were drafted into the NHL. The 93 accounts for 41.5% of the entire draft, and was the most prospects selected in over a decade. Here is a look at where the 33 WHLers were drafted in this year's draft. 

First Round (9):

9th Overall: Radim Mrtka – Buffalo Sabres; Seattle Thunderbirds
10th Overall: Roger McQueen – Anaheim Ducks; Brandon Wheat Kings
11th Overall: Benjamin Kindel  – Pittsburgh Penguins; Calgary Hitmen
13th Overall: Carter Bear – Detroit Red Wings; Everett Silvertips
14th Overall: Jackson Smith – Columbus Blue Jackets; Tri-City Americans;
15th Overall: Braeden Cootes – Vancouver Canucks; Seattle Thunderbirds
18th Overall: Cole Reschny – Calgary Flames; Victoria Royals
27th Overall: Lynden Lakovic – Washington Capitals; Moose Jaw Warriors
30th Overall: Joshua Ravensbergen – San Jose Sharks; Prince George Cougars

Round Two (4):

36th Overall: Blake Fiddler – Seattle Kraken; Edmonton Oil Kings
39th Overall: Peyton Kettles – Pittsburgh Penguins; Swift Current Broncos
46th Overall: Max Pšenička – Utah Mammoth; Portland Winterhawks
57th Overall: Matthew Gard – Philadelphia Flyers; Red Deer Rebels

Round Three (6):

66th Overall: Nathan Behm – Chicago Blackhawks; Kamloops Blazers
69th Overall: Hayden Paupanekis – Montreal Canadiens; Kelowna Rockets
81st Overall: Bryce Pickford – Montreal Canadiens; Medicine Hat Tigers
83rd Overall: Tommy Lafreniere – Edmonton Oilers; Kamloops Blazers
92nd Overall: Owen Martin – Winnipeg Jets; Spokane Chiefs
94th Overall: Cameron Schmidt – Dallas Stars; Vancouver Giants

Round Four (5):

117th Overall: David Lewandowski – Edmonton Oilers; Saskatoon Blades
123rd Overall: Carter Klippenstein – Minnesota Wild; Brandon Wheat Kings
126th Overall: Brandon Gorzynski – Dallas Stars; Calgary Hitmen
127th Overall: Aiden Foster – Tampa Bay Lightning; Prince George Cougars
128th Overall: Shea Busch  – Florida Panthers; Everett Silvertips

Round Five (3):

130th Overall: Ryan Miller – Pittsburgh Penguins; Portland Winterhawks
141st Overall: Justin Kipkie – Minnesota Wild; Victoria Royals
157th Overall: Luke Vlooswyk – Philadelphia Flyers; Red Deer Rebels

Round Six (3):

162nd Overall: Ashton Cumby – Chicago Blackhawks; Seattle Thunderbirds
170th Overall: Burke Hood – New York Islanders; Vancouver Giants
186th Overall: Alexander Weiermair – Vegas Golden Knights; Portland Winterhawks

Round Seven (3):

197th Overall: Brendan Dunphy – Florida Panthers; Wenatchee Wild
200th Overall: Brady Turko – Anaheim Ducks; Brandon Wheat Kings
216th Overall: William Sharpe – Los Angeles Kings; Kelowna Rockets

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Vancouver Giants Cameron Schmidt Drafted 94th Overall By The Dallas Stars

Spokane Chiefs Owen Martin Drafted 93rd Overall By The Winnipeg Jets

Kamloops Blazers Tommy Lafreniere Drafted 83rd Overall By The Edmonton Oilers

Medicine Hat Tigers Bryce Pickford Drafted 81th Overall By The Montréal Canadiens

Kelowna Rockets Hayden Paupanekis Drafted 69th Overall By The Montréal Canadiens

The Washington Capitals have selected Lynden Lakovic 18th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old was the eighth WHLer selected and the sixth forward drafted. Listed at 6'4", 190 lbs, Lakovic showed major improvement in his game and has rounded out a lot of his skills.

Although Lakovic missed a chunk of the year due to inury, the career Warrior showed off a 19-point increase in points from the 2023-24 season, despite playing 21 fewer games. The Kelowna product could have a future as a middle-to-top six role in the NHL.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Victoria Royals Cole Reschny Drafted 18th Overall By The Calgary Flames

Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Drafted 14th Overall By The Columbus Blue Jackets

Everett Silvertips Carter Bear Drafted 13th Overall By The Detroit Red Wings

Calgary Hitmen Ben Kindel Drafted 11th Overall By The Pittsburgh Penguins

Brandon Wheat Kings Roger McQueen Drafted Tenth Overall By The Anaheim Ducks

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is officially here. After years of hard work, many WHLers will have the opportunity to experience their dreams of being drafted into the NHL. In honour of the draft, here are the links to some of the top WHL prospect draft profiles that THN's WHL team have produced over the past month. 

Jackson Smith:

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jackson Smith The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Jackson Smith, who plays for the Tri-City Americans. 

Roger McQueen

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Roger McQueenThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Roger McQueen, who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Carter Bear

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Carter BearThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Carter Bear, who plays for the Everett Silvertips.

Lynden Lakovic

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Lynden LakovicThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Lynden Lakovic, who plays for the Moose jaw Warriors.

Cole Reschny

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cole ReschnyThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Cole Reschny, who plays for the Victoria Royals.

Blake Fiddler

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Blake FiddlerThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Blake Fiddler, who plays for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Radim Mrtka

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Radim MrtkaThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is defenceman Radim Mrtka, who plays for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Ben Kindel

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Ben KindelThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is forward Benjamin Kindel, who plays for the Calgary Hitmen.

Braeden Cootes

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Braeden CootesThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Braeden Cootes, who plays for the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Matthew Gard

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Matthew GardThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is center Matthew Gard, who plays for the Red Deer Rebels.

Cameron Schmidt

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cameron SchmidtThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is winger Cameron Schmidt, who plays for the Vancouver Giants.

David Lewandowski

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: David LewandowskiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is David Lewandowski, who plays for the Saskatoon Blades.

Hayden Paupanekis

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden PaupanekisThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Hayden Paupanekis, who plays for the Kelowna Rockets.

Peyton Kettles

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton KettlesThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Peyton Kettles, who plays for the Swift Current Broncos.

Nathan Behm

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Nathan BehmThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Nathan Behm, who plays for the Kamloops Blazers.

Reese Hamilton

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Reese HamiltonThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Reese Hamilton, who plays for the Regina Pats.

Max Pšenička

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Max PšeničkaThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Max Pšenička, who plays for the Portland Winterhawks.

Hayden Harsanyi

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden HarsanyiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Wrapping up the Eastern portion of this series is Hayden Harsanyi, who plays for the Saskatoon Blades.

Joshua Ravensbergen

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Joshua Ravensbergen The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Joshua Ravensbergen, who plays for the Prince George Cougars. 

Brandon Gorzynski

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Brandon GorzynskiThe WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Brandon Gorzynski, who plays for the Calgary Hitmen. 

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for June 27 & 28 and can be viewed on Sportsnet/ESPN/ NHL Network

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.