Iginla, Cihar, and Orsulak Announced as WHL Monthly Award Winners for March
WHL Western Hockey League

Iginla, Cihar, and Orsulak Announced as WHL Monthly Award Winners for March

Published on April 1, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla of the Kelowna Rockets has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Month for March, Fuelled by Co-op.

Iginla, a 19-year-old product of Lake Country, B.C., recorded 28 points (10G-18A) and a plus-18 rating in 12 games, as the Rockets finished fourth in the WHL's Western Conference before staking out a commanding 3-0 lead over the Kamloops Blazers in their best-of-seven, first-round WHL Playoff series. Set to host the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, Iginla and the Rockets are trending in the right direction as post-season play gets underway.

Selected by the Mammoth in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound recorded 19 points (5G-14A) in eight of nine regular season games during the month of March. Upon launch of the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, Iginla exploded for nine points (5G-4A) in three games as the Rockets faced their rivals from Kamloops.

Iginla's regular season effort during the month of March was highlighted by a five-point night (1G-4A) Saturday, March 7, as the Rockets dethroned the Victoria Royals by a 9-2 score. The following week, Iginla scored his 40th goal of the season Wednesday, March 11, as the Rockets once again defeated the Royals - this time by a 2-1 score in overtime. Iginla's milestone marker came 3:28 into the extra period, giving Kelowna the victory.

As the 2026 WHL Playoffs got underway, Iginla opened Kelowna's first round series with a two-point performance (1G-1A) in Game 1 on Friday, March 27. The veteran forward's first goal of the 2026 post-season came 10:18 into the third period and stood up as the game-winning marker, with the Rockets knocking off the Blazers by a 3-1 score.

Game 2 against the Blazers saw Iginla find the back of the net twice, adding an assist for a three-point night. Iginla's first goal of the evening came in the dying minute of the first period, as he found the back of the net with 50 seconds to go. The strike gave Kelowna a 2-0 lead at the time and it once again stood up as the game-winning goal, with the Rockets extinguishing the Blazers 5-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Tuesday, March 31, Iginla was at it again, securing four points (2G-2A) in a 7-4 road victory over the Blazers. On this night, Iginla got the party started, opening the scoring 6:37 into the first period. He tallied his fifth goal of the 2026 WHL Playoffs 3:56 into the second period, putting the Rockets out front by a 4-1 margin.

With 90 points (41G-49A) in 48 regular season games, Iginla finished the best production rate in the WHL this season, registering 1.88 points per game. He was named to the WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team for his impressive campaign. His torrid pace has continued into post-season play - with nine points (5G-4A) in three games, the former WHL Champion sits atop the WHL Playoffs scoring charts through three contests.

Originally selected by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Iginla won a WHL Championship with Seattle in 2023. In 184 career WHL regular season outings, Iginla has posted 225 points (108G-117A). Over three post-seasons and 17 playoff games, the pure goal scorer has registered 25 points (14G-11A).

Iginla and the Rockets will look to eliminate the Blazers Wednesday, April 1 (7 p.m. PT), when the two B.C. Division rivals take to the ice for Game 4 of their best-of-seven series at Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Watch this critical matchup FREE on Victory+.

Tempo WHL Player of the Month

September / October: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

November: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets

December: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers

January: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees

February: Carter Bear, Everett Silvertips

LOS ANGELES KINGS PROSPECT CIHAR NAMED SANDMAN WHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Los Angeles Kings prospect Vojtech Cihar of the Kelowna Rockets has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month for March.

The 6-foot, 181-pound left winger from Chomutov, Czechia, recorded 21 points (10G-11A) and a plus-15 rating in 12 games to lead all WHL rookies in scoring and boost the 2026 Memorial Cup-host Rockets during the month of March.

Selected by the Kings in the second round (59th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, Cihar posted 14 points (6G-8A) in nine regular season games during the month of March, including the first hat trick of his WHL career. As the puck dropped on the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, Cihar continued to produce, converting for eight points (4G-4A) in three games to help Kelowna claim a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series with the Kamloops Blazers.

Cihar's March regular season was highlighted by three-goal performance Saturday, March 14, as the Rockets blasted the Kamloops Blazers by a 5-1 score. Cihar opened the scoring with 34 seconds to go in the first period, before striking for his 10th goal of the campaign with 39 seconds remaining in the second period, giving Kelowna a 3-0 advantage. He completed his first career WHL hat trick with 4:34 to go in the final period of regulation.

As the post-season rolled around the corner, Cihar got off to a quick start, tallying two goals Friday, March 27, as the Rockets defeated the Blazers by a 3-1 score to take a 1-0 series lead. Cihar opened the scoring 10:15 into the second period before depositing an insurance marker into an empty net with 1:27 to go in regulation.

Game 2 once again saw Cihar find twine for the first goal of the game, this time hitting paydirt with 3:16 to go in the first period. He added an assist on Tij Iginla's first period goal with 50 seconds to go, which ultimately stood up as the game-winning tally for Game 2.

Tuesday, March 31, Cihar recorded four points (1G-3A) as the Rockets defeated the Blazers by a 7-4 margin. This time around, the Czech product waited until 2:49 into the third period to hit the back of the net, but the wait was worth it and the goal went into the books as the game winner, giving Kelowna a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Originally selected by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round (38th overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, the Rockets acquired Cihar from Lethbridge on November 9, 2025. He then signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Kelowna on December 12, before joining the Club in January following his appearance at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In 31 regular season appearances with the Rockets, Cihar tallied 31 points (12G-19A).

Cihar and the Rockets will look to eliminate the Blazers Wednesday, April 1 (7 p.m. PT), when the two B.C. Division rivals take to the ice for Game 4 of their best-of-seven series at Sandman Centre in Kamloops. Watch this critical matchup FREE on Victory+.

Sandman WHL Rookie of the Month

September / October: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings

November: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

December: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen

January: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers

February: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips

2026 NHL DRAFT-ELIGIBLE NETMINDER ORSULAK NAMED MARY BROWN'S CHICKEN WHL GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Prince Albert Raiders netminder Michal Orsulak has been named Mary Brown's Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Month for March.

Orsulak, an 18-year-old product of Tremosna, Czechia, went undefeated in March, earning a record of 9-0-0-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average, .933 save percentage, and three shutouts.

Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Orsulak is ranked second among North American goaltenders in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings.

Concluding the regular season, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound puckstopper won six consecutive regular season games, including shutouts of the Moose Jaw Warriors Friday, March 13, and Saskatoon Blades Saturday, March 20. His performance down the stretch helped the Raiders secure the No. 1 seed in the WHL's Eastern Conference, along with an East Division title.

Orsulak has continued his steady play during the first round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, going 3-0-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .946 SV%, and one shutout. The Czech netminder made 22 saves on 23 shots in his WHL Playoffs debut Friday, March 27, backstopping the Raiders to a Game 1 triumph over the Red Deer Rebels.

In Game 2 of the best-of-seven series, Orsulak did all that was required of him, turning aside 13 shots as the Raiders blanked the Rebels by a 6-0 score to claim a 2-0 series advantage.

Tuesday, March 31, Orsulak steered away 18 of 20 pucks, helping the Raiders to a 4-2 triumph and a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with Red Deer.

In his first season with the Raiders, Orsulak finished the campaign with a record of 28-4-3-1, a 2.22 GAA, .907 SV%, and four shutouts. He was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team for his consistent efforts.

Orsulak was originally selected by the Raiders in the first round (46th overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft.

Next up, Orsulak and the Raiders will look to complete a four-game sweep of the Rebels on Wednesday, April 1 (7 p.m. MT) when they take to the ice at Marchant Crane Centrium in Red Deer. Watch the action FREE on Victory+.

Mary Brown's Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Month

September / October: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees

November: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars

December: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings

January: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades

February: Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs

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