WHL Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee Wild Announce Move to Western Hockey League Ahead of 2023-24 Season

Published on June 16, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release


WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee Wild organization is excited and humbled to announce its approval as the newest member club in the Western Hockey League (WHL), effective with the 2023-24 season. The team's membership in the WHL replaces that of the Winnipeg Ice, whose membership in the league has been purchased by Wenatchee Wild owners David and Lisa White.

"We are very excited as an organization to join the Western Hockey League, ‚¬Â said David White. "Our vision has always been to operate with the highest level of standards for our players, and we have a responsibility to develop players to the best of our ability and prepare them for the next level. For our players, our community and our organization, this is an incredible opportunity to provide the greatest overall experience in our great sport. The state of Washington is a great hockey state at all levels. We have a home now with an American division that finally provides us with the long-term sustainability we have been searching for.

"We are very grateful to WHL Commissioner Ron Robison and Board of Governors Chairman Bruce Hamilton for welcoming us, and we look forward to being a valuable partner. We are thankful to all those who have come before us and been a part of our journey, what began in California and led ultimately to the BCHL. We are grateful to the BCHL for welcoming us when they did, and for the great leadership under Chris Hebb, Steve Cocker and Graham Fraser - we wish them the best. ‚¬Â

The move to the WHL continues the organization's storied junior hockey legacy in the Wenatchee Valley, which began in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in 2008, and continued with the Whites' purchase of the team in 2013 and the team's move to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2015. The Wild sincerely thank the BCHL and its staff, member clubs and team governors for eight successful years of partnership as a BCHL member club.

"The Wenatchee Wild could not be prouder to be the newest franchise in the WHL, ‚¬Â said Wenatchee general manager Bliss Littler. "Being located in the middle of the U.S. Division will make it easy for Wild fans to travel to our new rivals, and for rival fans to make the easy trip to Wenatchee in the middle of Central Washington. We are excited to be competing in the top development league in the world against many future NHL players. The combination of world-class hockey and the education packages the players get make this the best of both worlds. We will continue to work to make the fans in the Wenatchee Valley proud of our team. ‚¬Â

The shift to the WHL will see the Wild placed in the league's U.S. Division, alongside Washington-based teams in Seattle, Everett, Spokane and the Tri-Cities, and another in Portland, Oregon, instantly creating new rivalries in the division. It also joins a successful legacy for the Wild, which includes a BCHL Fred Page Cup and a Doyle Cup championship in 2018 and eight National Hockey League draft picks as a Junior "A ‚¬Â organization, with the Western Hockey League's own track record of success. 2,129 WHL players have been chosen in the NHL Draft since 1967, with 333 of those selections coming in the first round. 28 WHL players were chosen last year alone, with seven first-round selections among those.

"The WHL and our member Clubs are delighted to welcome the Wenatchee Wild to the Western Hockey League, ‚¬Â said Robison. "Under the ownership of David & Lisa White and the management of Bliss Littler, the Wenatchee Wild have become recognized as a highly-regarded junior hockey franchise, and we believe they will be a great addition to our WHL U.S. Division. We know hockey fans throughout Central Washington will be very excited to now be able to witness the world's finest junior hockey league when the puck drops in Wenatchee this fall. ‚¬Â

Details on the 2023-24 WHL schedule will be announced at a later date. More information is available on the Wenatchee Wild team website at www.wenatcheewildhockey.com - 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.

What They're Saying About Wenatchee's Move to the WHL

"On behalf of the city of Wenatchee, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Western Hockey League and express my excitement at the admission of the Wenatchee Wild into the WHL. For 15 years, the Wild have been an important thread in the sporting and social fabric of the Wenatchee Valley, and have positively represented the city of Wenatchee and our region within the larger junior hockey community.

"The Wild not only represent exciting entertainment for families and sports fans in and around the city of Wenatchee, but their games have been an important social gathering point for those in our community and beyond. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Wild organization and its supporters, players from across the world have been able to come to Wenatchee to pursue their dreams. Many of those players have turned that opportunity into a good education, and have gone on to play the sport at its highest levels.

"With Wenatchee's move to the WHL, now more than ever, Wenatchee will be a place where the world's top young hockey players come to pursue their dreams, and where fans can see the stars of tomorrow play today. ‚¬Â

Frank J. Kuntz - Mayor, City of Wenatchee

"This is an exciting time for hockey in the Pacific Northwest. The addition of Wenatchee enhances the U.S. Division. They have run a model franchise in their time in Wenatchee, and will be a welcome addition to the WHL. ‚¬Â

Bob Tory - Owner & General Manager, Tri-City Americans

"The Spokane Chiefs welcome the Wenatchee Wild to the WHL! We look forward to developing a good rivalry with Wenatchee. I have known Wild general manager Bliss Littler for over thirty years, and Wenatchee has always done a great job running their program. In the ten years Wild owner David White has owned the team, he has taken the Wild to a different level, and that has not gone unnoticed in the hockey world. Wenatchee will be a welcome addition to the WHL. ‚¬Â

Bobby Brett - Owner, Spokane Chiefs

"We are excited to welcome the Wenatchee Wild to the WHL and the U.S. Division. I've known Bliss Littler for a long time, and I am confident that he will run a quality program. ‚¬Â

Mike Johnston - Vice President/General Manager/Head Coach, Portland Winterhawks

"We are excited to have Wenatchee join the U.S. Division. It adds another great organization to the league. With their close proximity to Everett, it should develop into a good competitive rivalry moving forward. ‚¬Â

Dennis Williams - General Manager/Head Coach, Everett Silvertips

"I want to congratulate the Wenatchee Wild on their move to the WHL, one of the premier junior leagues in the world. The Wild have always been great partners in supporting and growing the game of hockey in the Wenatchee Valley, and I look forward to continuing that relationship. ‚¬Â

Bryan MacDougall - President, Wenatchee Amateur Hockey Association

"Hey, all you North American hockey scouts...that new dot on your map is the picturesque Wenatchee Valley! The Western Hockey League is coming to town! We are looking forward to presenting major junior hockey at the Town Toyota Center, adding to the Valley's entertainment options, and also welcoming fans and rivals from Seattle, Everett, Portland, Tri-Cities, Spokane and our Canadian neighbors. Folks, this is a big deal. To the Wenatchee Blades players skating at Riverfront, to the foresight of community leaders, to the business-oriented Board saving the arena, to the commitment of the Wenatchee Wild ownership...now we know why. ‚¬Â

Mark Miller - General Manager, Town Toyota Center

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