
Eight Players with Ties to Wild, Former ICE Organizations Rostered by NHL Clubs
October 10, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - With the start of the National Hockey League season this week, initial rosters across the NHL include players with ties to the organization, including a veteran forward associated with the very beginnings of junior hockey in the Wenatchee Valley.
The Wild are excited to announce that eight players on Opening Day rosters have ties to the club, including seven who were part of the WHL organization dating back to its time as the Kootenay ICE. Three former Kootenay players remain active in the NHL, as Sam Reinhart returns to the Florida Panthers after leading them to the club's first Stanley Cup championship last season. Reinhart set new career highs last season with 94 points, including 57 goals, which ranked second in the NHL. Reinhart picked up right where he left off on Tuesday, with a goal and an assist in Florida's 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins.
Brayden McNabb played in all 82 games last season for the Vegas Golden Knights, and returns to the organization after posting a new career high last year with 26 points. He posted an assist in Vegas's 8-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday evening. Peyton Krebs played for the Kootenay and Winnipeg ICE, and is back in the NHL this season with Buffalo, beginning his fourth season with the Sabres organization. He notched 17 points a year ago for Buffalo over a career-best 80 games.
Two players with ties to last season's Wild roster also earned spots on Opening Day rosters - Zach Benson joined the Wild for the 2023-24 preseason before earning a spot on the Buffalo Sabres' roster and will return to the club for his second season this year. Benson played 71 games during his rookie season in the NHL, tallying 30 points for the Sabres. Conor Geekie started the 2023-24 season with the Wild, and was named to Tampa Bay's roster to start the 2024-25 NHL season. Both starred for the Winnipeg ICE and joined the club in its relocation to Wenatchee last summer.
Two former Winnipeg ICE forwards, Jack Finley (Tampa Bay) and Michael Milne (Minnesota), opened the season on their respective NHL teams' injured lists - Finley and Milne spent their 2023-24 seasons with their clubs' American Hockey League affiliates.
One player who began his junior career in Wenatchee - and helped the Wild organization get off the ground in 2008 - also earned an Opening Day roster spot. Nic Dowd played for the Wild in 2008-09 as part of its Junior A era, and is starting his ninth full season of NHL competition. Seven of those nine seasons have been spent with the Washington Capitals, where he posted 12 goals and 10 assists a year ago.
The Wenatchee Wild congratulate all eight players on beginning the 2024-25 season with National Hockey League clubs, and wish them continued success as the season gets underway. Wild fans are encouraged to follow the progress of all alumni of the WHL organization and former Wild Junior A players throughout the season, with the club's regular "Alumn-ICE Report" features on its website at WenatcheeWildHockey.com.
Images from this story
![]() Former Wenatchee Wild forward Zach Benson (Russ Alman) |
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2024
- 10 Former Kelowna Rockets on 2024 NHL Opening Night Rosters - Kelowna Rockets
- Four Game Winning Streak Highlights Busy Weekend Swing of Game Coming Up - Swift Current Broncos
- Weekend Preview: October 11th & 12th - Victoria Royals
- Eight Players with Ties to Wild, Former ICE Organizations Rostered by NHL Clubs - Wenatchee Wild
- Hitmen Sign Forward Noah Kosick - Calgary Hitmen
- Carels to Represent Team Canada Red at U17 World Challenge - Prince George Cougars
- Oil Kings Asking Fans to Bring the Noise for Thanksgiving Monday - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Sanche Stops 30 in 4-1 Win in Brandon - Everett Silvertips
- Landon DuPont Selected to Canada's U17 World Challenge Roster - Everett Silvertips
- Warriors Partner with City of Moose Jaw for Recreational Facility Renewal Program - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Liam & Markus Ruck Make U17 Team Canada Roster - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cruz Pavao Named to Team Canada for World Under-17 Hockey Challenge - Tri-City Americans
- 15 WHL Players to Represent Canada at 2024 U17 World Challenge - WHL
- Jaxon Jacobson and Gio Pantelas to Represent Canada at World U-17 Challenge - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Esler, Preston Among 41 CHL Players Named to Team Canada Rosters for 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge - Spokane Chiefs
- Giants Rookies Lin and Olson to Represent Canada at U17 World Challenge - Vancouver Giants
- Hispanic Heritage Night October 17 - Portland Winterhawks
- Keaton Verhoeff to Represent Canada at 2024 World Under-17 Challenge - Victoria Royals
- Oil Kings Iginla Named to World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Roster - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Cougars Lose Four Goal Lead in Third Period, Fall 5-4 in Shootout to Winterhawks - Prince George Cougars
- DuPont Logs Three Points in 5-1 over Regina - Everett Silvertips
- Hawks Complete Four Goal Comeback, Earn 5-4 Shootout Victory in Prince George - Portland Winterhawks
- Silvertips Defeat Pats 5-1 After Three Goal Second Frame - Regina Pats
- Tigers Shutout Rebels 3-0 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Fast Start Fades in Hitmen Setback - Calgary Hitmen
- Dyck Brilliant, Broncos Score Three in the Third in 4-1 Win over Hitmen - Swift Current Broncos
- Chiefs Push Win Streak to 5-Games with Comfortable 2-0 Win at PA - Spokane Chiefs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Wenatchee Wild Stories
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Signing of Alumnus Harrison Scott by Dallas Stars
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Clark Elects to Depart Coaching Duties, Move into Full-Time Administrative & Management Role
- 10 Wenatchee Wild Alumni Advance to NCAA Division I Tournament
- Wild Alumnus Friesen Signs ECHL Contract with Utah Grizzlies
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Forward Tye Spencer Commits to NCAA Division I University of Alaska-Anchorage

