Uncover the rising stars poised to dominate the ice at the inaugural WHL Prospects Game, a historic return of a league showcase.
Players To Watch At WHL Prospects Game
The 2026 WHL Prospects Game serves as the first all-WHL event of its kind in over a quarter-century. The last time the league hosted a standalone showcase was January 19, 2000, when Kelowna hosted the 2000 WHL All-Star Game.
Since the league’s inception in 1966-67, there have been 26 previous WHL all-star or top prospects-style events.
With the Prospects Game set to kick off tonight, here are a few players to keep an eye on.
Team West: Head Coach: Mark Lamb (Prince George Cougars)
Carson Carels (D, Prince George Cougars): The captain of Team West and the No. 3-ranked North American skater. Carels is a "pro-ready" blueliner who combines elite gap control with an offensive flair that has seen him rack up 52 points in 45games this season.
JP Hurlbert (F, Kamloops Blazers): The WHL’s leading rookie scorer with 84 points in 55 games and an alternate captain for Team West. Hurlbert is a cerebral tactician with a lethal release. Ranked 10th by NHL Central Scouting.
Team East: Head Coach: Shaun Clouston (Kamloops Blazers)
Daxon Rudolph (D, Prince Albert Raiders): The captain of Team East and the No. 6-ranked North American skater. Rudolph is a two-way force who leads the first-place Raiders in ice time.
Liam Ruck (F, Medicine Hat Tigers): An alternate captain for Team East, Liam leads the Tigers in scoring with 80 points. Ranked 26th by Central Scouting, he is a pure finisher who thrives when the pressure is highest.
Markus Ruck (F, Medicine Hat Tigers): The other half of the Tigers' twins, Markus leads the WHL with 64 assists. His playmaking vision is arguably the best in the draft class, and his ability to find his brother in tight spaces will be a focal point for scouts.
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