The 2026 WHL Prospects Game at the Langley Events Centre delivered a full-throttle spectacle that had something for every hockey fan. Celebrity coaches Michael Bublé (helming Team West) and Drew Scott (guiding Team East) brought cable TV star power and fun energy behind the benches, complete with a playful wager between the two friends that added extra spice to the night. The on-ice action matched the vibe—there were gritty fights, slick highlight-reel goals, wild momentum swings, and non-stop intensity from start to finish. Team East, under Scott’s watch, looked dominant early, building a 3-0 lead, but Bublé’s squad roared back in the third period to erase the deficit and force overtime. It took just 14 seconds of extra time for Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Daxon Rudolph to seal the deal, burying the winner to give Team East a thrilling 5-4 victory. That said, I couldn’t help but grumble about the rosters. Standouts like Kalder Varga, who’s been turning heads this season, and Red Deer Rebels goalie Matthew Kondro, who’s putting up strong numbers, were noticeably absent despite arguably outplaying some of the guys who made the cut. The goalie lineup featured no Canadians in action (with the injured Tobias Tviznik, a Czech, also sidelined), which felt like a missed opportunity for homegrown talent. Still, homer bias or not, the game itself was electric and a perfect showcase for the league’s rising stars.
Calgary Hitmen’s Landon Amrhein makes it a 1-0 game for Team East at 7:59 ot the first period. The assists on the goal went to the Edmonton Oil Kings Dylan Dean and Medicine Hat Tiger Yaroslav Bryzgalov.=Calgary Hitmen forward Landon Amrhein opened the scoring for Team East at 7:59 of the first period. He collected a loose puck in the right faceoff circle and beat Team West goaltender Harrison Boettiger to put his side ahead 1-0 early in the game.
Massive 6’8 California native Sean Burick who is taller than a giraffe got into a fight with NFL linebacker Ed Ta’amu’s son Noa Ta’amu (who is also Californian) at 12:29 of the second period. –6-foot-8 Penticton Vees defenseman Sean Burick dropped the gloves with fellow blueliner Noa Ta’amu of the Edmonton Oil Kings. The two California natives traded punches in a lively scrap that energized the near-capacity crowd at the Langley Events Centre and had fans on their feet.
Shots on goal in the first period were 14-8 for Team West
Saskatoon Blade and Colorado College commit Zach Olsen makes it 2-0 for Team East at 1:07 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to his Blade teammate Cooper Williams and Red Deer Rebel Becket Hamilton.–An all-Saskatoon connection extended Team East’s lead to 2-0 just 67 seconds into the second period. Red Deer Rebels forward Beckett Hamilton, a Saskatoon native, carried the puck up to the top of the left circle and delivered a slick backhand feed through the slot. Saskatoon Blades forward Cooper Williams took the pass and quickly one-timed it across to the back door, where fellow Blades forward Zach Olsen tapped it into the empty net.
Giorgis Pantelas whose name sounds like a Greek Folk Lore hero but plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings made it a 3-0 game at 4:48 of the second period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Cooper Williams and Edmonton Oil King Ethan MacKenzie.–Shortly afterward, Team East capitalized on a power-play chance. Cooper Williams threaded a seam pass to Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Giorgos Pantelas, and the 6-foot-2 blueliner made no mistake, burying it to extend the lead to 3-0 for Team East.
Former team mates in Edmonton Dylan Dean and Joe Iginla got into a minor tilt in the second period, which for some reason gave them 5 minute majors for fighting. Most refs would of gave them 2 minutes for roughing. In reality it looked like the 2 were just exchanging Valentines day cards ref shouldn’t of even wasted his breath blowing the whistle.
Meridan, Idaho native Tyus Sparks gets the West on the board at 17:23 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Prince George Cougar Carson Carels and Victoria Royal and Miami Ohio commit Timofei Runtso.–With 2:37 remaining in the second period, Spokane Chiefs forward Tyus Sparks cut Team West’s deficit to 3-1. He capitalized on a crisp backhand feed from captain Carson Carels, ripping a one-timer past the goaltender to put his team on the board and give the squad a much-needed spark heading into the second intermission.
Shots on goal in the second period
Spokane Chief Tyus Sparks got his second goal of the night just 50 seconds into the third period for the West to only trail by 1 while on the Power Play. The assist on the goal went to the WHL’s leading scorer Allen, Texas native J.P Hurlbert and WJC Team Canada Bronze Medalist Carson Carels,–Early in the third period, just 50 seconds in, Tyus Sparks struck again for Team West, netting his second goal of the game and cutting the deficit to 3-2. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound forward capitalized on another power-play opportunity, roofing a one-timer from the left circle after Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert delivered a pinpoint pass right into his wheelhouse. Sparks wired it home to bring his squad back within a single goal.
Spokane Chiefs Brody Gillespie ties the game up for Team West at 3:37 of the third period while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Carson Carels and Wenatchee Wild’s Caelan Joudrey.–With yet another power-play chance, Team West forward Gillespie camped out near the Team East crease, pounced on a loose puck, and chipped it over the outstretched pad of Medicine Hat Tigers goaltender Carter Casey to knot the score.
Medicine Hat Tigers Liam Ruck regains the lead for Team East to make it a 4-3 game at 7:24 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to his teammates with the Tigers Yaroslav Bryzgalov and Markus Ruck.–Markus Ruck carried the puck into the zone and dished it to Medicine Hat Tigers linemate Yaroslav Bryzgalov, who quickly returned it across to Liam Ruck. The Osoyoos native stayed with the play and hammered home the rebound to put Team East back in front. With 12:36 remaining, the momentum swung again and the pressure returned to Michael Bublé’s Team West.
Kamloops Blazers J.P Hurlbert ties the game back up at 4 while on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to Carsen Carels and Portland Winterhawks Jake Gustafson.–Late in the game, Team East ran into penalty trouble, handing Team West another power-play opportunity. Kamloops Blazers forward JP Hurlbert—the WHL’s top scorer—found plenty of time and space just inside the blue line. He walked into the high slot and snapped a precise shot past goaltender Carter Casey, tying the game at 4-4 with 6:19 remaining.
Shots in the third period
Daxon Rudolph scores the winner for the East 14 seconds into overtime with the assist on the goal going to Markus Ruck–Overtime was required to settle the seesaw battle, but Team East’s Rudolph wasted no time, ending the game just 14 seconds into the extra frame to clinch the win for his side.
Shots on goal in the overtime period were
If they ever update the website with shots in the periods I will try to remember to fix it.
Player of the game for Team East was Prince Albert Raider’s Daxon Rudolph. For Team West Prince George Cougars Carson Carels. In my opinion the 2 best D men available for this years draft also.
Ryan Lin did not play in the game due to injury. Mathis Preston was also listed but did not participate in the game due to injury. He was ranked #22 at mynhldraft.com
