Western Hockey League Continues to be Leading Supplier to the NHL

December 21st, 2007

Bruins forward Oscar Moller was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2nd round of the 2007 NHL Draft

The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that WHL Clubs continue to be a leading supplier of talent to the NHL as over 150 WHL graduates have participated in the National Hockey League this season.

Of the total 797 players who have played in the NHL this season, 20 per cent are WHL graduates.  Four NHL clubs have dressed 9 or more WHL graduates this season – the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, while the League-wide average is close to five WHL graduates in each NHL line up.

Among the extensive list of WHL graduates in the NHL are several former Stanley Cup Champions and NHL veterans including Scott Niedermayer (Kamloops Blazers), Joe Sakic (Swift Current Broncos) and Mike Modano (Prince Albert Raiders).  There are also numerous perennial NHL Stars who also got their start in the WHL; Jerome Iginla (Kamloops Blazers), Ryan Smyth (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Wade Redden (Brandon Wheat Kings).  Some of the NHL’s future household names who recently gained valuable experience competing in the WHL include Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf (Red Deer Rebels), Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward (Red Deer Rebels) and Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf (Calgary Hitmen).

The WHL has also provided the NHL with some tremendous young under-age talent this season including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (Tri City Americans), Phoenix Coyotes forward Peter Muller (Everett Silvertips) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Kris Russell (Medicine Hat Tigers).

The WHL has been the leading supplier to the NHL for over 40 years, including 9 first round draft picks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, more than any other League in the world.  While the WHL is known to produce world-class hockey players, it also generates top-level coaches.  Currently 30 NHL Coaches got their start playing or coaching in the Western Hockey League.  Among the 30 are Head Coaches Lindy Ruff (Buffalo Sabres), Mike Babcock (Detroit Red Wings), Ken Hitchcock (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Tom Renney (New York Rangers).

There are also 16 WHL graduates working in the National Hockey League in a management role including Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter, Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland and Senior Vice President of the Philadelphia Flyers Bob Clarke.

Please find below a team-by-team breakdown of WHL Graduates who have played in the National Hockey League and other WHL Graduates now working in management roles in the NHL, thus far this season:

Name, Birthplace, WHL Club(s) in brackets (c-indicates WHL coach)

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Players (6)

Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, SK  (Calgary Hitmen)

Travis Moen, Swift Current, SK  (Kelowna Rockets)

Rob Niedermayer, Cassiar, B.C.  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Shane Hnidy, Neepawa, MB  (Swift Current Broncos, Prince Albert Raiders)

Scott Niedermayer, Edmonton, AB  (Kamloops Blazers)

Brian Sutherby, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

ATLANTA THRASHERS

Players (5)

Marian Hossa, Stara Lubvona, CZE  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Brad Larsen, Nakusp, B.C.  (Swift Current Broncos)

Garnet Exelby, Ste. Anne, MB  (Saskatoon Blades, Regina Pats)

Steve McCarthy, Trail, B.C.  (Kootenay Ice)

Mark Recchi, Kamloops, B.C.  (Kamloops Blazers)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Brad McCrimmon, Dodsland, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)

BOSTON BRUINS

Players (6)

Chuck Kobasew, Vancouver, B.C.  (Kelowna Rockets)

Milan Lucic, Vancouver, B.C.  (Vancouver Giants)

Jeremy Reich, Craik, SK  (Seattle Thunderbirds, Swift Current Broncos)

Peter Schafer, Regina, SK  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Zdeno Chara, Trencin, SVK  (Prince George Cougars)

Andrew Ference, Edmonton, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Doug Houda, Blairmore, AB  (Calgary Wranglers, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Management

Assistant General Manager Jim Benning, Edmonton, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Vice President Cam Neely, Comox, B.C.  (Portland Winter Hawks)

BUFFALO SABRES

Players (4)

Paul Gaustad, Fargo, ND  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Clarke MacArthur, Lloydminster, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Nathan Paetche, Leroyldt, SK  (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Nolan Pratt, Fort McMurray, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Lindy Ruff, Warburg, AB  (Lethbridge Broncos)

CALGARY FLAMES

Players (10)

Dustin Boyd, Winnipeg, MB  (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Eric Godard, Vernon, B.C.  (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, AB  (Kamloops Blazers)

Daymond Langkow, Edmonton, AB  (Tri-City Americans)

Mark Smith, Edmonton, AB  (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Dion Phaneuf, Edmonton, AB  (Red Deer Rebels)

Robyn Regehr, Recife, BRA  (Kamloops Blazers)

Cory Sarich, Saskatoon, SK  (Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Rhett Warrener, Shaunavon, SK  (Saskatoon Blades)

Matt Keetley, Medicine Hat, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Jim Playfair, Vanderhoof, B.C.  (Portland Winter Hawks, Calgary Wranglers)

Assistant Coach Rich Preston, Regina, SK  (Regina Pats-c)

Management

General Manager Darryl Sutter, Viking, AB  (Lethbridge Broncos)

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Players (4)

Andrew Ladd, Maple Ridge, B.C.  (Calgary Hitmen)

Ray Whitney, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB  (Spokane Chiefs)

Glen Wesley, Red Deer, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Cam Ward, Saskatoon, SK  (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff

Associate Coach Kevin McCarthy, Winnipeg, MB  (Winnipeg Monarchs/Clubs)

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Players (6)

David Koci, Prague, CZE  (Prince George Cougars)

Dustin Byfuglien, Minneapolis, MN  (Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince George Cougars)

Colin Fraser, Sicamous, B.C.  (Red Deer Rebels)

Brent Seabrook, Richmond, B.C.  (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Brent Sopel, Calgary, AB  (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos)

Kris Versteeg, Lethbridge, AB  (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers, Red Deer Rebels)

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Players (7)

Joe Sakic, Burnaby, B.C.  (Swift Current Broncos)

Ryan Smyth, Banff, AB  (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Marek Svatos, Kosice, SVK  (Kootenay Ice)

Kyle Cumiskey, Abbotsford, B.C.  (Kelowna Rockets)

Scott Hannan, Richmond, B.C.  (Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets)

Kurt Sauer, St. Cloud, MN  (Spokane Chiefs)

Tyler Weiman, Saskatoon, SK  (Tri-City Americans)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Players (5)

Kris Beech, Salmon Arm, B.C.  (Calgary Hitmen)

Gilbert Brule, Edmonton, AB  (Vancouver Giants)

Jason Chimera, Edmonton, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Kris Russell, Red Deer, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Oslo, NOR  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Edmonton, AB  (Kamloops Blazers-c)

Goaltending Coach Clint Malarchuk, Grande Prairie, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

DALLAS STARS

Players (3)

Stu Barnes, Spruce Grove, AB  (New Westminster Bruins, Tri-City Americans)

Mike Modano, Livonia, MI  (Prince Albert Raiders)

Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, SK  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Coaching Staff

Associate Coach Rick Wilson, Prince Albert, SK  (Prince Albert Raiders-c)

Assistant Coach Mark Lamb, Ponteix, SK  (Billings Bighorns, Nanaimo Islanders, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Player Development/Goaltending Coach Andy Moog, Penticton, B.C.  (Kamloops Chiefs, Billings Bighorns)

Management

Co-General Manager Les Jackson, Manning, AB  (Estevan/NWM Bruins, Great Falls Americans-c, Brandon Wheat Kings-c)

DETROIT RED WINGS

Players (3)

Tomas Kopecky, Ilava, SVK  (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Derek Meech, Winnipeg, MB  (Red Deer Rebels)

Chris Osgood, Peace River, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Mike Babcock, Manitouwadge, ON  (Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Wings, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Spokane Chiefs-c)

Assistant Coach Todd McLellan, Melville, SK  (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos-c)

Management

General Manager Ken Holland, Vernon, B.C.  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Vice President/ Assistant General Manager Jim Nill, Hanna, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers )

EDMONTON OILERS

Players (4)

Kyle Brodziak, St. Paul, AB  (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Geoff Sanderson, Hay River, NT  (Swift Current Broncos)

Jarret Stoll, Melville, SK  (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)

Sheldon Souray, Elk Point, AB  (Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Bill Moores, Edmonton, AB  (Edmonton Oil Kings, Regina Pats-c)

Assistant Coach Rob Daum, Edmonton, AB  (Prince Albert Raiders-c, Lethbridge Hurricanes-c, Swift Current Broncos-c)

Goaltending Coach Pete Peeters, Edmonton, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Players (4)

Brett McLean, Comox, B.C.  (Kelowna Rockets, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Stefan Meyer, Medicine Hat, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Richard Zednik, Bystrica, SVK  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Jay Bouwmeester, Edmonton, AB  (Medicine Tat Tigers)

Management

Director of Player Development Duane Sutter, Viking, AB  (Lethbridge Broncos, Medicine Hat Tigers-c)

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Players (4)

Kyle Calder, Mannville, AB  (Regina Pats, Kamloops Blazers)

Jon Klemm, Cranbrook, B.C.  (Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs)

Brad Stuart, Rocky Mountain House, AB  (Regina Pats, Calgary Hitmen)

Jason LaBarbera, Burnaby, B.C.  (Tri-City Americans, Portland Winter Hawks, Spokane Chiefs)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Dave Lewis, Kindersley, SK  (Saskatoon Blades)

Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford, Brandon, MB  (New Westminster Bruins)

Management

Assistant General Manager Ron Hextall, Brandon, MB  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

MINNESOTA WILD

Players (6)

Derek Boogaard, Saskatoon, SK  (Regina Pats, Prince George Cougars, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Todd Fedoruk, Redwater, AB  (Kelowna Rockets, Regina Pats, Prince Albert Raiders)

Mark Parrish, Bloomington, MN  (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Nick Schultz, Strasbourg, SK  (Prince Albert Raiders)

Josh Harding, Regina, SK  (Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Wes Walz, Calgary, AB  (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince Albert Raiders)

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Players (3)

Kyle Chipchura, Vimy, AB  (Prince Albert Raiders)

Josh Gorges, Kelowna, B.C.  (Kelowna Rockets)

Carey Price, Williams Lake, B.C.  (Tri-City Americans)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Players (9)

Martin Erat, Krnov, CZE  (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels)

Vernon Fiddler, Edmonton, AB  (Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Darcy Hordichuk, Kamsack, SK  (Saskatoon Blades, Calgary Hitmen)

Scott Nichol, Edmonton, AB  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Jerred Smithson, Vernon, B.C.  (Calgary Hitmen)

Jordin Tootoo, Churchill, MB  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Dan Hamhuis, Smithers, B.C.  (Prince George Cougars)

Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C.  (Kelowna Rockets)

Chris Mason, Red Deer, AB  (Prince George Cougars)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Barry Trotz, Winnipeg, MB  (Regina Pats)

Associate Coach Brent Peterson, Calgary, AB  (Edmonton Oil King, Portland Winter Hawks, Portland Winter Hawks-c)

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Players (1)

Arron Asham, Portage La Prairie, MB  (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Brent Sutter, Viking, AB  (Lethbridge Broncos, Red Deer Rebels-c)

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Players (4)

Mike Comrie, Edmonton, AB  (Kootenay Ice)

Trent Hunter, Red Deer, AB  (Prince George Cougars)

Mike Sillinger, Regina, SK  (Regina Pats)

Brendan Witt, Humboldt, SK  (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Management

Director of Player Development Bryan Trottier, Val Marie, SK  (Swift Current/Lethbridge Broncos)

NEW YORK RANGERS

Players (10)

Michal Rozsival, Vlasim, CZE  (Swift Current Broncos)

Ivan Baranka, Ilava, SVK  (Everett Silvertips)

Nigel Dawes, Winnipeg, MB  (Kootenay Ice)

Blair Betts, Edmonton, AB  (Prince George Cougars)

Brandon Dubinsky, Anchorage, AK  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Scott Gomez, Anchorage, AK  (Tri-City Americans)

Colton Orr, Winnipeg, MB  (Swift Current Broncos, Kamloops Blazers, Regina Pats)

Jason Strudwick, Edmonton, AB  (Kamloops Blazers)

Ryan Hollweg, Downey, CA  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Marcel Hossa, Ilava, SVK  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers-c)

Assistant Coach Perry Pearn (Medicine Hat Tigers-c)

Assistant Coach Mike Pelino (Spokane Chiefs-c)

OTTAWA SENATORS

Players (4)

Dean McAmmond, Grand Cache, AB  (Swift Current Broncos, Prince Albert Raiders)

Andrej Meszaros, Povazska Bystrica, SVK  (Vancouver Giants)

Chris Phillips, Calgary, AB  (Prince Albert Raiders, Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Wade Redden, Lloydminster, AB  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach John Paddock, Brandon, MB  (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Management

General Manager Bryan Murray, Shawille, QC  (Regina Pats-c)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Players (8)

Riley Cote, Winnipeg, MB  (Prince Albert Raiders)

Scott Hartnell, Regina, SK  (Prince Albert Raiders)

Joffrey Lupul, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray, AB  (Kamloops Blazers)

Braydon Coburn, Shaunavon, SK  (Portland Winter Hawks)

Mike Rathje, Mannville, AB  (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jason Smith, Calgary, AB  (Regina Pats)

Jim Vandermeer, Caroline, AB  (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Jack McIlhargey, Edmonton, AB  (Flin Flon Bombers)

Management

Senior Vice President Bob Clarke, Flin Flon, MB  (Flin Flon Bombers)

PHOENIX COYOTES

Players (6)

Shane Doan, Halkirk, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Martin Hanzal, Pisek, CZE (Red Deer Rebels)

Peter Mueller, Bloomington, MN (Everett Silvertips)

Fredrik Sjostrom, Fargelanda, SWE (Calgary Hitmen)

Craig Weller, Calgary, AB (Kootenay Ice)

Derek Morris, Edmonton, AB (Regina Pats)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Brad Treliving, Penticton, B.C.  (Portland Winter Hawks, Spokane Chiefs, Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Goaltending Coach Grant Fuhr, Spruce Grove, AB  (Victoria Cougars)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Players (3)

Colby Armstrong, Lloydminster, SK (Red Deer Rebels)

Erik Christensen, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Darryl Sydor, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Players (4)

Curtis Brown, Unity, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Patrick Marleau, Aneroid, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Devin Setoguchi, Taber, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Prince George Cougars)

Kyle McLaren, Coaldale, AB (Tacoma Rockets)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Tim Hunter, Calgary, AB  (Seattle Breakers)

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Players (7)

D.J. King, Meadow Lake, SK (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kelowna Rockets)

Eric Brewer, Vernon, B.C. (Prince George Cougars)

Barret Jackman, Trail, B.C. (Regina Pats)

Bryce Salvador, Brandon, MB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Matt Walker, Beaverlodge, AB (Portland Winter Hawks, Kootenay Ice)

Micki Dupont, Calgary, AB  (Kamloops Blazers)

Marek Schwarz, Mlada Boleslav, CZE  (Vancouver Giants)

Management

President Of Hockey Operations John Davidson, Ottawa, ON  (Calgary Centennials)

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Players (3)

Ryan Craig, Abbotsford, B.C. (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Nick Tarnasky, Rocky Mountain House, AB (Vancouver Giants, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Brad Lukowich, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers)

Coaching Staff

Goaltending Consultant Corey Schwab, North Battleford, SK  (Seattle Thunderbirds)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Players (5)

Wade Belak, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Darcy Tucker, Castor, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Pavel Kubina, Celadna, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Bryan McCabe, St. Catharines, ONT (Medicine Hat Tigers, Spokane Chiefs)

Ian White, Steinbach, MB (Swift Current Broncos)

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Players (6)

Jannik Hansen, Herlev, DNK (Portland Winter Hawks)

Brad Isbister, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)

Trevor Linden, Medicine Hat, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Byron Ritchie, Burnaby, B.C. (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Rick Rypien, Coleman, SK (Regina Pats)

Alexander Edler, Ostersund, SWE (Kelowna Rockets)

Management

Assistant General Manager Steve Tambellini, Trail, B.C. (Lethbridge Broncos)

Director of Player Personnel Lorne Henning, Melfort, SK  (Estevan/New Westminster Bruins)

Director of Player Development Stan Smyl, Glendon, AB  (New Westminster Bruins)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Players (9)

Tomas Fleischmann, Koprivnice, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Boyd Gordon, Unity, AS (Red Deer Rebels)

Brooks Laich, Wawota, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Matt Pettinger, Edmonton, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Mike Green, Calgary, AB (Saskatoon Blades)

Shaone Morrisonn, Vancouver, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers)

Jeff Schultz, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Olaf Kolzig, Johannesburg, ZAF (New Westminster Bruins,  Tri-City Americans)

Quintin Laing, Harris, SK  (Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff

Assistant Coach Dean Evason, Flin Flon, MB  (Spokane Flyers, Kamloops Jr. Oilers, Kamloops Blazers-c, Vancouver Giants-c, Calgary Hitmen-c)

Video Coach Blaine Forsythe  (Calgary Hitmen-c)