WHL Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee Wild Announce 2023-24 Provincial Scouting Staff

August 30, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release


WENATCHEE, Wash. - As the inaugural Western Hockey League season for the Wenatchee Wild draws closer, the team's hockey operations staff in Wenatchee is set, and the focus has turned to building a strong scouting staff to keep an eye on talent within western Canada. The Wild are excited to announce their scouting staff for the 2023-24 campaign, with four scouts each covering a province in the Western Hockey League's Canadian territory and one additional scout to oversee the program's scouting efforts in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. The Wild scouting staff will work under the direction of Wild Director of Scouting Leigh Mendelson.

"When assembling any team, you need to start with character people," said Mendelson. "We are thrilled with the character and experience of our scouts in the game of hockey and look forward to their contributions to the organization."

Riley Emmerson will serve as the team's provincial scout in British Columbia, after a 10-year professional career that included a seventh-round selection by the Minnesota Wild in the 2005 National Hockey League Draft. Emmerson played in the American Hockey League, ECHL and Central Hockey League during his pro career, and finished his playing career with a two-year stint in Great Britain. Emmerson currently serves as a head coach for the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds in the B.C. Elite Hockey League, and works with the B.C. Program of Excellence.

Keegan Bell will serve as the team's provincial scout in Alberta, after getting his start in the scouting world with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League's Kindersley Klippers in 2011. He joined the United States Hockey League's Sioux City Musketeers in 2014 as their Western Canadian scout, and has served as Sioux City's Assistant Director of Scouting since 2019, helping the team to a 2022 USHL Clark Cup title. He was also the Northern Head Scout for the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Drumheller Dragons during the 2017-18 campaign.

Andrew Bailey returns to the organization as the team's provincial scout in Saskatchewan, playing for four years in the WHL with the former Kootenay ICE. He played for five years at the University of Saskatchewan while obtaining a bachelor's degree in commerce, and played one season of pro hockey in Germany. Andrew has spent the past 15 years involved in coaching and player development.

Mitchell Kirkup becomes the team's provincial scout in Manitoba, entering his 12th season as a WHL scout after previous stints with the Spokane Chiefs and Prince George Cougars. Kirkup also serves as the Director of Scouting for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Swan Valley Stampeders, playing three years in the MJHL before obtaining his degree in education.

Troy Mick also joins the scouting staff as the team's CSSHL and Special Assignment Scout. Mick joins the Wild scouting staff with a lifetime of experience as a player and coach - a former draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he starred in the WHL with Portland and Regina before embarking on a pro career cut short by injury. Since 1993, Mick has spent 20 years coaching and managing in the BCHL and WHL, and currently serves as the hockey director for the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy and head coach for the Wild teams in the CSSHL.

"I'm very excited with the staff that's been put together," said Wenatchee general manager Bliss Littler. "I can't wait to get to work with Leigh and the rest of his staff."

The 2023-24 season is fast approaching, with players currently reporting to Wenatchee ahead of the start of on-ice training camp activities on Thursday. Tickets are on sale now for the team's September 9 preseason "Kids Day" contest against the Tri-City Americans, as well as the home-opening weekend September 22 and 23 against the Portland Winterhawks and Seattle Thunderbirds. Admission to the Kids Day game is free for all kids 12 years of age and under. Tickets for the rest of the team's 2023-24 regular-season home games go on sale September 8.

2023-24 season tickets are still on sale - to purchase season tickets, call 509-888-7825 or stop into the team office at Town Toyota Center. Updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team's website and on the team's social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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