Game Preview: Cougars at Thunderbirds
Published on September 26, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
KENT, WA - The Prince George Cougars begin their first road swing of the regular season with a visit to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Puck drop is set for 6:05 pm at the accesso ShoWare Center.
The Cats opened the season with a weekend split against the Penticton Vees at the CN Centre. In their most recent contest, the Cougars fell 5-1. Dmitri Yakutsenak scored Prince George's lone goal, while goaltender Peyton Shore made 28 saves in his Cougars debut.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
THE MATCHUP:
Cougars 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 1-1-0-0
Thunderbirds 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 1-0-0-0
WHO TO WATCH:
COUGARS:
#15 Corbin Vaughan - The 20-year-old defenceman from Merritt, BC, was named the 32nd captain in Cougars history yesterday. Vaughan enters tonight with 181 WHL games played and remains a steady presence on the blue line. He is in his third season with Prince George and his fifth in the Western Hockey League.
#28 Kayden Lemire - The Cougars get a boost to their lineup with the return of Minnesota Wild prospect Kayden Lemire. The Wild selected Lemire in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The Edmonton, Alta., product recorded 29 points and played all 68 games for the Cougars last season. He also suited up for the club in a preseason game.
THUNDERBIRDS:
#89 Antonio Martorana - Antonio Martorana is entering his fourth season with the Thunderbirds. The 5-foot-8 forward from Edmonton put together an impressive 2025-26 campaign, recording 52 points (24 goals, 28 assists) in 63 games.
#35 Marek Sklenicka - The Czech goaltender is coming off an NHL training camp with the Philadelphia Flyers, who selected him 120th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. In his first WHL season last year, Sklenicka posted a 20-12-5-1 record, a 3.21 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage.
TONIGHT'S DETAILS:
Puck Drop: 6:05 pm
Opponent: Seattle Thunderbirds
Venue: accesso shoWare Center (Kent, WA)
Watch: YouTube
Radio: 94.3 The Goat
Western Hockey League Stories from September 26, 2026
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- New Chiefs' Captain Chase Harrington with Gordie Howe Hat Trick in Home Opening Victory over Americans - Spokane Chiefs
- Eight Is Enough in T-Birds' Shutout Win - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Cougars Fall to Thunderbirds in Seattle, Look to Rebound Sunday - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Earn First Win of the Season in 3-1 Home Opener Victory Over Vees - Kelowna Rockets
- Americans Drop Tight One-Goal Game In Spokane - Tri-City Americans
- Vees Fall To Rockets - Penticton Vees
- Warriors Bounce Back to Earn Second Win of the 2026-2027 Campaign - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Chan Strong in Debut, But Wheat Kings Fall in Moose Jaw - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Tigers Fall to Rebels, 3-1 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Portland Winterhawks Announce 2026-27 Home Opener Roster - Portland Winterhawks
- Spokane Chiefs Announce 2026-27 Leadership Team - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Announce 2026-27 Leadership Group; Hamilton Named 84th Captain in Franchise History - Regina Pats
- Game Preview: Game 3 AT Rebels - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Game Preview: Cougars at Thunderbirds - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Suffer First Regulation Loss of the Season in Penticton - Kelowna Rockets
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