For the first time since their championship run in 2008, the Spokane Chiefs are headed back to the WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl]Championship Series. Led by star forward Berkly Catton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/prospect-news-cattons-chiefs-sweep-jugnauths-winterhawks-to-advance-to-whl-championship], the Chiefs punched their ticket in dramatic fashion, completing a four-game sweep of the Portland Winterhawks with a thrilling 6–4 victory in Game 4 last Thursday night. With the win, Spokane claimed the Western Conference title and secured a shot at WHL supremacy. Berkly Catton (Left, image credit:Keith Webber) Gavin McKenna (Right, image credit: Eric Hiller) Graphic by Caroline Anne [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ccf688c9-2ae3-4e00-aa48-8967418f0484.jpeg] Berkly Catton (Left, image credit:Keith Webber) Gavin McKenna (Right, image credit: Eric Hiller) Graphic by Caroline Anne Standing in their way are the Eastern Conference champion Medicine Hat Tigers, who will host Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Friday, May 9, at Co-op Place in Medicine Hat. Remarkably, both Spokane and Medicine Hat swept their respective conference finals—a first in WHL history. The Chiefs have been an offensive juggernaut throughout the postseason, led by WHL Player of the Year finalists Berkly Catton and Andrew Cristall [https://x.com/spokanechiefs/status/1918129295131901974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1918129295131901974%7Ctwgr%5E2f48ecc4f797bb0810f6d396f484e2a0fc22ac09%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tsn.ca%2Fchl%2Fchl-storylines-gavin-mckenna-still-making-history-heading-into-whl-final-1.2301089]. Catton has amassed an eye-popping 35 points (8 goals, 27 assists) in the playoffs, spearheading a Spokane attack that dismantled the Vancouver Giants in five games in Round 1, then outpaced the B.C. Division champion Victoria Royals in six games in Round 2. The Chiefs currently lead all teams in postseason scoring. Sept. 2024 Catton Interview- Kraken Post Game. Medicine Hat, meanwhile, has blazed its own trail of dominance. The Tigers have not only reached the WHL Final for the first time in 17 years, but they’ve done so without dropping a single game—sweeping the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Swift Current Broncos, and Prince Albert Raiders in succession. Their charge is led by 6’ winger Gavin McKenna, a phenom from Whitehorse, Yukon. McKenna is tied for second in WHL playoff scoring with 35 points (8 goals) in just 13 games and is riding an astonishing 53-game point streak. He also finished second in WHL regular season scoring with 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games. Not yet draft eligible, McKenna is already turning heads ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. The championship series will follow a 2-3-2 format, with Game 3 set to take place at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on Tuesday, May 13. Hockey fans across the country can catch every moment live on TSN and Victory+. Related Kraken Assign Top Defensive Prospect To The AHL [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/49eaf291-c2bc-4ed7-8da3-d9486ec5a8d0.jpeg] Kraken Assign Top Defensive Prospect To The AHL The Seattle Kraken have reassigned top prospect Caden Price to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, per the <a target="_blank" href="https://theahl.com/stats/transactions">AHL transactions page</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/kraken-assign-top-defensive-prospect-to-the-ahl] Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwrODfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] or Join the discussion with others in your hockey community on the Seattle Kraken Forum [https://rtb.thehockeynews.com/seattle-kraken/posts].
