{"id":486647,"date":"2026-02-20T02:20:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T02:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/486647\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T02:20:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T02:20:07","slug":"6-standouts-from-the-whl-top-prospects-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/486647\/","title":{"rendered":"6 standouts from the WHL Top Prospects Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

The inaugural WHL Top Prospects Game took place on Wednesday night at the Langley Event Centre, home of the Vancouver Giants. This showcase\u2019s goal was to highlight the top prospects in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft<\/a>, which the Vancouver Canucks<\/a> have an increased interest in given how the 2025-26 season has unfolded.Coming out of the Olympic<\/a> Break, the Canucks find themselves in dead last in the NHL standings, with a seven-point cushion on the St. Louis Blues. Heading into the draft, the Canucks have a strong collection of top selections, with four picks in the first two rounds \u2013 all currently projected to be within the top 41. With the future now in mind, Canucks brass were in attendance watching as the WHL\u2019s best were put on display.<\/p>\n

At first, the game looked like a blowout for Team East. The first period started slowly, with Landon Amrhein finding the only goal of the frame. Then, within the first five minutes of the second period, Zach Olsen and Giorgos Pantelas scored to put the East up 3-0. Tyus Sparks would get the West on the board before the period was done.<\/p>\n

There was something about the start of periods in this game. Team West brought it to within one, then tied it before the four-minute mark of the third period, with goals from Sparks (again) and Brody Gillespie. Teams would exchange goals from top liners Liam Ruck (East) and JP Hurlbert (West), sending the game to overtime at 4-4.<\/p>\n

But the extra frame did not last long, as Team East Captain Daxon Rudolph scored 14 seconds into overtime, securing the victory for the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

There were several standout performances on both teams in this contest. Here are six CanucksArmy noticed:<\/p>\n

Team West<\/p>\n

LHD | Prince George Cougars | NHL Central Scouting: #3 NA Skaters<\/p>\n

Despite the loss, it was so evident that Carson Carels was the best player on the ice. He was dominant with the puck on his stick, weaving through traffic in the neutral zone. And when he didn\u2019t have a running mate to pass to, he would dump the puck in and was first in on the forecheck, battling against East defenders \u2013 and often won his board battles.<\/p>\n

Now, to look at the scoresheet, Carels factored in on all four of Team West\u2019s goals. The Captain had four assists on the night \u2013 three primary, one secondary. The defenceman showed his shiftiness to find open space and create passing lanes, then displayed his vision to find teammates in scoring positions. None more evident of that than this backhand feed to Sparks for the West\u2019s first goal of the game.<\/p>\n

Considering the point totals and high-end draft pedigree, I was impressed with Carels\u2019 physical play. He laid a lot of heavy, bone-crushing hits along the boards. He took a pair of penalties as well for his physicality: a boarding penalty on a big hit, and a goaltender interference penalty for running over the East netminder.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just wanted to show my game that I\u2019ve been playing this year,\u201d Carols said regarding what he wanted to show NHL scouts in attendance. \u201cThat two-way, hard-hitting defenceman that moves the puck up ice and has a little bit of offence to his game. I was happy with my play. The first period was a little slow start, but I think I recovered from that for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carels is going to make any team that selects him in the top-10 in June very, very happy.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 0 goals, 4 assists, -1 rating, 4 penalty minutes, 1 shot on goal<\/p>\n

RW | Spokane Chiefs | NHL Central Scouting: #63 NA Skaters <\/p>\n

Safe to say, Tyus \u201csparked\u201d his team back into this game, scoring the first two goals for the West. Sparks benefitted from two beautiful cross-ice passes from Carels and Hurlbert, but that shouldn\u2019t take away from his lethal shot.<\/p>\n

The zip Sparks was able to get on his shot with such a short wind-up was impressive to watch. He separated himself as one of the top shooting threats and a top goal scorer in this game.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 2 goals, 0 assists, -1 rating, 2 penalty minutes, 2 shots on goal<\/p>\n

RW | Kamloops Blazers | NHL Central Scouting: #10 NA Skaters<\/p>\n

Coming into this game, Hurlbert was someone I was watching closely. The 17-year-old currently leads the WHL in scoring (84 points in 55 games) and is the highest projected drafted forward in this game.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn overall well-rounded game,\u201d Hurlbert told CanucksArmy pregame when asked what he\u2019s hoping to show NHL scouts. \u201cYou know, creating chances and setting guys up and finishing on those chances. It\u2019s the best players in the WHL. So just trying to create plays and hopefully put a few in tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

While his efforts may not have been reflected on the scoresheet early on, Hurlbert made an impression with his strong forechecking, forcing turnovers, creating scoring chances for his team throughout the opening frame, and he drew a penalty behind the opposition\u2019s net.<\/p>\n

Hurlbert then found his way on the scoresheet in the third period. He displayed great vision to find Sparks with a cross-ice pass and his stealthy release to tie the game for Team West late in the third period.<\/p>\n

He turned his game up a notch when his team needed him the most, and finished with a whopping 10 shots on goal. Hurlbert is projected to go mid-to-late first round, and could be an option for the Canucks with the Minnesota Wild\u2019s first-round pick.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, -3 rating, 0 penalty minutes, 10 shots on goal<\/p>\n

HM: Noah Kosick: Kosick did not find his way on the scoresheet, but the German-born centre was making plays in both ends of the ice. He showed shiftiness to evade pressure in tight spaces and along the blueline to hold the zone, often making the proper pass to set his team up for a scoring chance. In the defensive zone, he was on his check like glue, not allowing much space or separation. However, his defensive highlight was a diving effort that broke up what would have been a sure goal for the East. He could be a decent mid-round centre target for Vancouver.<\/p>\n

Team East<\/p>\n

RD | Prince Albert Raiders | NHL Central Scouting: #6 NA Skaters<\/p>\n

Had it not been for Carels\u2019 big night, Daxon Rudolph would have been the best player in this game. He was breaking up plays in the defensive zone and made a good first pass to help his team transition offensively. While he didn\u2019t figure on the scoresheet in regulation, his puck-moving ability was evident. However, when the game mattered the most, the East Captain stepped up for his team, scoring the game-winning goal 14 seconds into overtime.<\/p>\n

He won\u2019t be waiting too much longer after Carels\u2019 name is called at the NHL Draft in June.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, +1 rating, 2 penalty minutes, 3 shots on goal<\/p>\n

C | Saskatoon Blades | NHL Central Scouting: #42 NA Skaters<\/p>\n

Cooper Williams had a strong playmaking outing among the WHL\u2019s Top Prospects. He picked up primary two assists, including a long cross-ice pass through traffic on the power play to a pinching Giorgos to extend the East lead to three.<\/p>\n

\u201cOffensive-minded, 200-foot player, just being able to play in every situation,\u201d Williams told CanucksArmy on how to best describe his game.<\/p>\n

His defensive play away from the puck, packaged with his level of playmaking, could make Williams a strong centre option for the Canucks on Day 2.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 0 goals, 2 assists, even rating, zero penalty minutes, zero shots on goal<\/p>\n

RW | Saskatoon Blades | NHL Central Scouting: #43 NA Skaters<\/p>\n

Zac Olsen\u2019s playstyle looks like one that can translate to the NHL level. His 6\u20191\u2033, 202-lb frame could carve out a scoring, power forward role. Speaking with a Saskatoon Blades representative, Olsen likes to be the agitator and isn\u2019t afraid to get under opponents\u2019 skin. And he did that early on, laying powerful hits and often causing scrums after the whistle.<\/p>\n

He and fellow Blades teammate Williams connected on a tic-tac-toe goal, which stood as the prettiest goal of the game.<\/p>\n

It was unfortunate he left the game in the second period, as he was having a strong showing. Olsen was seen leaving the game in a sling. Hopefully, this isn\u2019t something that keeps him out for long, as he will be fun to watch down the stretch as he continues to build his draft stock.<\/p>\n

Final Game Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, +1 rating, zero penalty minutes, two shots on goal<\/p>\n

HM: Liam and Markus <\/a>Ruck: Of course, we had to mention the twins. They had a few solid plays early, with some creative passing plays that just missed connecting. But they were finally able to find that connection in the third period, when Liam scored at the side of the net on the second effort. Frankly, we were hoping the twins would take the game over a bit more, but entertainment-wise, they still brought it.<\/p>\n

What do you think, Canucks fans? Who stoodout to you in the WHL Top Prospect Game? And which participant would you like to see the Canucks draft in June? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n

Sponsored by bet365<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The inaugural WHL Top Prospects Game took place on Wednesday night at the Langley Event Centre, home of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":486648,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[433],"tags":[49,48,448,82],"class_list":["post-486647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-nhl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/486647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=486647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/486647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/486648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=486647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=486647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=486647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}