Carter Bear, Carter Esler and Matias Vanhanen were honoured this past month.
The WHL has announced their Player, Goaltender and Rookie of the Month for February 2026. Everett Silvertips forwards Carter Bear and Matias Vanhanen were honoured, alongside Spokane Chiefs goatender Carter Esler. Here is a look at how these three stepped up in February.
Player of the Month- Carter Bear
Bear was a scoring machine for the Silvertips in February. The Detroit Red Wings prospect scored 13 times while adding 25 points in just 12 games. Thanks to Bear's production, Everett was able to secure home-ice in the playoffs and has helped the team inch them closer to second-straight Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy.
Carter Bear of the Everett Silvertips (Photo Credit: Caroline Anne/Everett Silvertips/WHL)Goaltender of the Month- Carter Esler
What a month it was for Esler. The NHL draft prospect went 8-1-0-0 with a 1.78 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in nine games. Esler also recorded a shutout and will be a name to watch when the WHL announces Golatender of the Year candidates in a few months.
Rookie of the Month- Matias Vanhanen
Vanhanen is having a dream start to his WHL career. The Finnish forward went off in February as he recorded 20 points in 12 games. With the way Vanhanen has been playing this year, there is little doubt that he will hear his name called at the 2026 NHL Draft.
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