In the last column, the hockey during the Christmas break wasn’t mentioned. The World Juniors took place in Ottawa, and Canada lost in the Quarterfinals to Chezchia 4 to 3 and dashed their hopes of returning to the medal podium. Head Coach was Ottawa 67’s head Coach Dave Cameron, with assistant coaches Sylvain Favreau, head coach of Drummondville Voltigeurs, Chis Lazary of the OHL Saginaw Spirt, and Mike Johnston, President and General Manager of the Portland Winterhawks. A report by Mark Masters of TSN on the team was critical of not having a morning skate the day of the Czechia game, several practices that didn’t happen and several penalties incurred during the tournament that showed a lack of discipline, The team also scored their second lowest total in history. The media scrum following the game remained critical, though not volatile, between the Management and the media. Still, heavy questions surrounded the lack of firepower and several missed opportunities. Masters on TSN radio the following day spent 17 minutes picking apart the team. There were some comments on social media as a possible contributing factor, but it didn’t seem to affect other teams. It will be interesting to see what 2026 represents after a back-to-back quick exit and a limp-in during the quarterfinals of 2023 from a nation that has controlled the World Juniors for many years.
In the meantime, the US won the tournament with a 4-3 win over Finland, claiming back-to-back wins at the tournament for the first time in history.
The WHL trade deadline is within several hours, and the latest blockbuster is from Kelowna Rockets. Already dumping Caden Price to the Lethbridge Hurricanes a few days back comes the latest from the Rockets, who have parted with Andrew Cristall. Spokane Chiefs have sent Hayden Paupanekis and then picks 2025 1st Round, 2025 3rd round. 2026 2nd round. ,2026 6th round. 2026 first round and 2027 1st round. If you’re keeping track, that’s 10 picks in 2 trades and 4 of those in 2025, rounds 1,3,4 and 6. With Kelowna hosting the cup next year, those picks will garner some heavy talent at the trade deadline next year.
Surprisingly, the East has remained relatively quiet, with most teams swapping player for player. Only Saskatoon Blades with Prince George saw Ben Richie from Saskatoon go for players Hunter Laing and Luke Dumas with first-round picks in 2026 and 5th round in 2028.
That changed with one day prior to trade deadline. In a three-way trade deal. Moose Jaw sent Keaton Dowhaniuk to Red Deer. Red Deer sent Hunter Mayo to Swift Current and Trae Wilke to Swift Current, 6th round. 2026 to Moose Jaw 4th round. 2027 to Moose Jaw. Swift Current completed the deal with them, sending Ty Coupland to Red Deer, a 4th-round 2025 pick, and Eric Johnston to Moose Jaw.
Everett made some small dips, sending center Beau Courtenay to Kamloops for a 7th-round 2026 pick. Courtenay ages out his season. Everett also got the news that Nathan Roest, who has been on the shelf with an injury, is finishing his season in Everett. The Tips then acquired Zachary Shantz from Regina for Shea Rollison and a 2nd round pick in 2027. That is going to be some heavy firepower once Roest returns. Kelowna continued moving out players, acquiring a 7th-round pick for Landon Cowper. Everett also picked up a 9th-round 2025 pick for Andrew Petruk as the Tips look to blaze their path to the WHL title and, ultimately, the Memorial Cup
In Winterhawks news, Luke Wilfley, who joined the team just after Christmas, has been reassigned back to Okanagan Hockey 16U Colorado after posting two assists in his Winterhawks debut. As an affiliate player, he was able to suit up for a maximum of 10 games, so he will have additional games left once his season is done in Colorado.
The Tetarenkos are about to wreak havoc. Joey Tetarenko, a force that propelled the Winterhawks as the captain of the 1998 Memorial Cup-winning team, has a son, Lochlan, who played for the Saskatoon Blades. For a Conditional 10th-round Bantam pick sent to the Blades, he’ll possibly be a part of the Hawks lineup during the Eastern Swing.
The Swing is upon us and the deadline a day away. We’ll wrap it up next column and the first two games of the Swing!
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