Kraken Prospect Miettinen & Teammate Vanhanen Dominate While Oil Kings Netminder Snell Slams Door in WHL Weekly Awards
Published on March 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today Seattle Kraken prospect and Everett Silvertips forward Julius Miettinen has been named Tempo WHL Player of the Week, Fuelled by Co-op, for the week ending Sunday, March 1.
Miettinen, a 20-year-old product of Helsinki, Finland, registered 11 points (7G-4A) and a plus-6 rating in three games, as the Silvertips went 3-0-0-0 during a busy weekend of U.S. Division competition, en route to locking up the No. 1 seed in the WHL's Western Conference.
The 6-foot-3, 207-pound centre started his weekend with a five-point performance (3G-2A) Friday, February 27, in a convincing 8-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Miettinen hit the scoresheet for the first time Friday by providing the primary assist on a first period tally by Finnish linemate Matias Vanhanen, which tied the game 1-1. After Kamloops pulled back ahead 2-1, Miettinen found the back of the net with two consecutive goals - his 24th and 25th of the campaign - to put the Silvertips ahead for good. Miettinen completed his second hat trick of the season with a power-play marker midway through the second period, giving Everett a commanding 5-2 advantage. He rounded out his Friday ledger with another primary assist on a third period goal from Vanhanen. The Kraken prospect was named first star of the game for his dominant performance.
Miettinen maintained momentum Saturday, February 28, as the Silvertips secured a 3-2 overtime victory against the Seattle Thunderbirds at accesso ShoWare Center. Trailing the game 1-0, Miettinen found the back of the net with his 27th of the season 1:25 into the third period, tying the game 1-1. The two U.S. Division rivals then traded goals before heading to overtime. In the extra period, Miettinen weaved his way through all three Seattle skaters before firing home a low shot from the left circle to give Everett the win.
Wrapping up the weekend Sunday, March 1, at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Miettinen exploded for four more points (2G-2A) as the Silvertips once again stormed back from behind, this time stunning the Wenatchee Wild by a 6-4 score. The Finnish forward opened the scoring 1:35 into regulation, converting on a power-play opportunity to collect his 29th goal of the season. After Wenatchee tied the game 1-1, Miettinen set up Rylan Gould on another man advantage to put the visitors back ahead 2-1. The second period saw the hosts take a 4-3 lead, before Miettinen turned the game on its head later in the third period. With 5:20 to go in regulation, Miettinen tied the game with his 30th goal of the season, reaching the milestone for the second time in his three-year WHL career. Moments later, with 2:31 on the clock, Miettinen helped setup Vanhanen on a power play and the Silvertips clawed ahead 5-4, before Gould added an empty netter to seal the come-from-behind triumph.
With 70 points (30G-40A) in 45 games, Miettinen is enjoying a career season, besting his previous mark of 40 assists and 67 points (2023-24). He ranks second on the Silvertips in scoring, trailing his linemate, Vanhanen (19G-61A-80 points).
Originally selected by the Everett Silvertips in the first round (30th overall) in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, Miettinen has registered 176 points (72G-104A) in 147 career regular season games.
For the second consecutive season, Miettinen represented Finland at the IIHF World Junior Championship. In six games at the 2026 edition of the event, he notched four points (2G-2A) and served as an alternate captain.
Miettinen was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the second round (40th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kraken on October 2, 2025.
With a record of 50-7-2-1, the Silvertips have locked up the No. 1 seed in the WHL's Western Conference and are the first team in the WHL and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to reach the 50-win plateau this season.
Next up, Miettinen and the Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks (27-26-5-1) Friday, March 6 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Watch every second of this all-important U.S. Division tilt for FREE on Victory+.
Tempo WHL Player of the Week
September 22, 2025: Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors
September 29, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
October 14, 2025: Noah Kosick, Swift Current Broncos
October 20, 2025: Kooper Gizowski, Prince George Cougars
October 27, 2025: Caden Brown, Regina Pats
November 3, 2025: Max Curran, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Luke Mistelbacher, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 17, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 24, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 1, 2025: Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips
December 8, 2025: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 15, 2025: Joby Baumuller, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 22, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
December 29, 2025: Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 5, 2026: Lukas Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 12, 2026: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 19, 2026: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
January 26, 2026: Brandon Gorzynski, Prince Albert Raiders
February 2, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
February 9, 2026: Carter Sotheran, Edmonton Oil Kings
February 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 23, 2026: Owen Martin, Spokane Chiefs
2026 NHL DRAFT-ELIGIBLE FORWARD VANHANEN NAMED SANDMAN WHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Matias Vanhanen of the Everett Silvertips has been named Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1.
This marks the second time this season Vanhanen has been recognized as Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week, after he was previously honoured February 2, 2026.
Vanhanen, an 18-year-old product of Nokia, Finland, recorded nine points (3G-6A) and a plus-7 rating in three games as the Silvertips went 3-0-0-0 during a busy weekend of U.S. Division competition, en route to locking up the No. 1 seed in the WHL's Western Conference.
Ranked 76th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Vanhanen started his weekend Friday, February 27, with three points (2G-1A) in a resounding 8-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Vanhanen got Everett on the scoreboard with his 17th goal of the campaign 9:50 into the first period, tying the game 1-1. Late in the second period, Vanhanen set up Philadelphia Flyers prospect Luke Vlooswyk, as Everett pulled ahead 6-3 heading into the third period. Vanhanen tickled twine for the second time on the evening, registering his 18th goal of the season 1:12 into the third period, rounding out his damage on offense for the evening. He earned second star recognition for the performance.
Saturday, February 28, Vanhanen collected another three assists, factoring into every single Everett goal as the Silvertips skated to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds at accesso Showare Center. Vanhanen landed a secondary assist on a goal from Finnish linemate Julius Miettinen 1:25 into the third period, before setting up Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear for a game-tying goal on a power play with 14:12 remaining in regulation. In the extra period, Vanhanen sent Miettinen into the Seattle zone, and the big power forward took care of the rest, dancing three Seattle skaters before scoring the OT winner.
Closing out the weekend Sunday, March 1, at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Vanhanen recorded his third three-point outing of the weekend, securing a goal and two assists in a 6-4 Everett triumph over the Wild. Once again, Vanhanen and Miettinen were a force, with the draft-eligible forward setting up the Kraken prospect to open the scoring on a power play 1:35 into regulation. Midway through the first period, Vanhanen added another helper on a power-play tally by Rylan Gould to give Everett a 2-1 lead. After the Wild staked claim to a 4-3 lead through 40 minutes of play, the Silvertips used a late third period push to stun the hosts. After Miettinen tied the game with 5:20 to go in regulation, Vanhanen found the back of the net with his 19th goal of the season, putting the Silvertips in front 5-4 with only 2:31 to play. That strike stood up as the eventual game winner as Everett emerged with its third straight win of the weekend.
In his first WHL season, Vanhanen has racked up 80 points (19G-61A) in 54 games, leading the Silvertips in scoring while ranking fifth among all WHL skaters.
Originally selected by the Silvertips in the first round (31st overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, Vanhanen recently represented Team West at the 2026 WHL Prospects Game presented by Showpass.
With a record of 50-7-2-1, the Silvertips have locked up the No. 1 seed in the WHL's Western Conference and are the first team in the WHL and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) to reach the 50-win plateau this season.
Next up, Vanhanen and the Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks (27-26-5-1) Friday, March 6 (7:05 p.m. PT) at Angel of the Winds Arena in downtown Everett. Watch every second of this all-important U.S. Division tilt for FREE on Victory+.
Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week
September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild
December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals
December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild
January 5, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 12, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 19, 2026: Prab Bhathal, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 26, 2026: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
February 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
February 9, 2026: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
February 16, 2026: Jonah Sivertson, Prince Albert Raiders
February 23, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
2026 NHL DRAFT-ELIGIBLE NETMINDER SNELL NAMED MARY BROWN'S CHICKEN WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today 2026 NHL Draft-eligible netminder Parker Snell of the Edmonton Oil Kings has been named Mary Brown's Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March 1.
Snell, a 17-year-old product of St. Albert, Alta., went 2-0-0-0 with a perfect 0.00 goals-against average, 1.000 save percentage, and two shutouts this past week, turning aside 54 shots in the process.
Ranked 21st among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting, Snell is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. This marks the second time this season Snell has been named Mary Brown's Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week, after he was previously recognized October 6, 2025.
The 6-foot-2, 173-pound puckstopper started his weekend with a 34-save effort Friday, February 27, as the Oil Kings blanked the Red Deer Rebels by a 2-0 score at Marchant Crane Centrium. Snell backstopped his squad through a nailbiter, as the Oil Kings protected a 1-0 lead for almost the entire duration of regulation. Lukas Sawchyn spotted the visitors a 1-0 lead only 48 seconds into the first period and from there, Snell took care of his side of the equation as the Rebels outshot the Oil Kings 34-23 in the contest. Insurance didn't come until defenceman Ethan MacKenzie recorded his 19th goal of the season - this one into an empty net - with only 1:28 to go in regulation. The Rebels poured it on in the third period, outshooting the Oil Kings 15-9, and Snell turned aside every last puck sent his way. He was named first star of the game for his outstanding performance.
Snell kept the momentum rolling Saturday, February 28, back on home ice, making 20 saves as the Oil Kings shutout the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes by a 6-0 margin. Though the rookie netminder received more support on offense in this contest, he was named first star in a game that saw Lethbridge come out swinging, outshooting the hosts 10-8 during the first period of play. From there, the Oil Kings turned the table and took control of the game.
In his first full season with the Oil Kings, Snell is 17-7-1-0 with a 2.94 GAA, .886 SV%, and three shutouts. His three shutouts are tied for fourth among all WHL goaltenders.
Selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the second round (34th overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Snell made his WHL debut during the 2024-25 season, appearing in two games, going 2-0-0-0 with a 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%, and one shutout.
Over 29 career WHL regular season appearances, the Oil Kings netminder is 19-7-1-0 with a 2.75 GAA, .894 SV%, and four shutouts.
Coming out of the weekend, the Oil Kings (39-16-3-2) having secured a berth in the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien. Winners of three straight games, they sit third in the WHL's Eastern Conference and second in the WHL's Central Division, trailing the Medicine Hat Tigers (42-9-5-3).
Next up, the Oil Kings host the Tigers in a must-see Central Division clash Saturday, March 7 (7 p.m. MT) at Rogers Place and streaming FREE on Victory+.
Mary Brown's Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 22, 2025: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
September 29, 2025: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings
October 14, 2025: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
October 20, 2025: Burke Hood, Vancouver Giants
October 27, 2025: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees
November 3, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
November 10, 2025: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
November 17, 2025: Anders Miller, Everett Silvertips
November 24, 2025: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
December 1, 2025: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
December 8, 2025: Matthew Hutchison, Regina Pats
December 15, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
December 22, 2025: Marek Sklenicka, Seattle Thunderbirds
December 29, 2025: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 5, 2026: Xavier Wendt, Tri-City Americans
January 12, 2026: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
January 19, 2026: Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs
January 26, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees
February 2, 2026: Jayden Kraus, Brandon Wheat Kings
February 9, 2026: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
February 16, 2026: Grayson Malinoski, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 23, 2026: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2026
- Miettinen, Vanhanen Earn WHL Weekly Awards - Everett Silvertips
- Preview: Americans vs Giants - March 3, 2026 - Tri-City Americans
- Blades Name Discover Saskatoon as Presenting Partner for Round 1 of Playoffs - Saskatoon Blades
- Snell Named WHL Goalie of the Week After Back-To-Back Shutouts - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Kraken Prospect Miettinen & Teammate Vanhanen Dominate While Oil Kings Netminder Snell Slams Door in WHL Weekly Awards - WHL
- Kamloops Blazers Bring Back Thompson Rivers Fighting Trout - Kamloops Blazers
- Rebels this Week - Red Deer Rebels
- March 2 - Canes Chatter - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Silvertips Charge Back in Final Minutes Sunday for 6-4 Win over Wild - Wenatchee Wild
- Strong Defensive Effort Earns Broncos OT Point against Edmonton - Swift Current Broncos
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