2025/26 WHL Season thread

[dash_pinched]

Tigers kick-off the regular season tonight taking on Regina. Prior to the game though, there's a new championship banner that needs to go to the rafters.

The Dub has lost a ton of star power to the NCAA so this is going to be a very interesting season. You can't replace McKenna, so it will have to be scoring by committee. I read yesterday that Pickford and Woo have returned, that's a big boost to the backend.

Enjoy the upcoming season, folks!!

[Roof-Daddy]

Tigers back end looks like it will have five 19s and a 20yo. Plus Switzer and the American goalie, they should be good again due to that alone.

Scoring by committee up front but there is still a lot of talent.

If McKenna, Lindstrom and Ritchie were all still here they would be a heavy favorite to repeat as champs.

[dash_pinched]

I did see that Spokane is the highest ranked WHL team in the CHL at #3 - If Berkly Catton doesn't stick with the Kraken and returns to the Chiefs, that's going to be a really good team in Spokane this season.

[speede5]

Gonna be another year at the bottom of the standings for us.

[Flickered Flame]

Hard to figure teams out this early with all the roster moves still to come up the but Hitmen beat the Canes 5-3 tonight.

The Hitmen have lost 14 players from last year, the Canes lost 17. I'm assuming the Tigers are that range as well. Edmonton's division to lose?

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[dash_pinched]

Spokane starts the new season by thumping the Memorial Cup hosts 8-2

[Roof-Daddy]

I know it won't happen but man it'd be nice if the "memorial cup hosts" got pummeled like that all season.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Hard to figure teams out this early with all the roster moves still to come up the but Hitmen beat the Canes 5-3 tonight.

The Hitmen have lost 14 players from last year, the Canes lost 17. I'm assuming the Tigers are that range as well. Edmonton's division to lose?

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The Tigers lost their top 4 scorers in McKenna, Weisblatt, Ritchie and St.Martin, as well as Molendyk, Ward, Basha, Pacheco and number one goalie Meneghin.

That's 9 key players. And although he didn't play until the playoffs, they also lost Lindstrom.

They will still he a handful to deal with though this season, in my opinion. They just won't have that superstar power leading the charge.

[Roof-Daddy]

Also, the Tigers overagers are currently Volotovskii, Neutens and Van Mulligan. They are good players, but not your typical overage players that will dominate scoring wise. If the Tigers feel they have strong, deep team, they should be able to upgrade those players to more high octane 20 year olds if they so choose.

[dash_pinched]

Tigers are all over the Pats to start this game. Bryce Pickford is on pace to score 68 goals this season lol

Edit: Tigers win 502 as Bryce Pickford ices the game with an empty netter. Tigers were killing a penalty in the final two minutes as Cunningham ran a Pats player from behind into the end boards and it was worthy of a major. I could even see that hit resulting in a suspension.