WHL Western Hockey League

WHL Announces 156 Alumni Have Played in the NHL this Season

February 21, 2013 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, AB -- The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 20% of all players who have played in the National Hockey League through the first month of the 2012-13 season are graduates of the WHL.

Of the 778 players who had played at least one game in the NHL as of February 19, 2013, 156 are graduates of the WHL.

In addition to the 156 players, there are 36 WHL graduates currently on the coaching staff of NHL clubs, and another 29 WHL graduates who currently occupy key management positions with NHL clubs.

The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars boast the most WHL graduates to have played this season with nine apiece, while the Phoenix Coyotes and Washington Capitals have seen eight WHL grads suit up for the team this season.

All 30 teams in the NHL have at least one WHL grad who have played in the NHL this season.

The Western Hockey League continues to be a leader in developing NHL-caliber players, while also offering a World Class scholarship to every graduating player.

The following is a breakdown of WHL Alumni who have played in the NHL this season, or who are currently with NHL clubs in coaching or management positions:

ANAHEIM DUCKS Name, Birthplace, WHL Club(s) in brackets (c-indicates WHL coach, ac - indicates assistant coach) * indicates currently playing in WHL Players Emerson Etem, Long Beach, CA (Medicine Hat Tigers) Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, SK (Calgary Hitmen) Luca Sbisa, Oberageri, SUI (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Portland Winterhawks) Sheldon Souray, Elk Point, AB (Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Brad Lauer, Humboldt, SK (Regina Pats, Kootenay Ice-ac) Asst. Coach Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook, B.C., (Kamloops Blazers) Goaltending Consultant Pete Peeters, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Asst. Coach Bob Woods, Elk Point, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)

BOSTON BRUINS Players Johnny Boychuk, Edmonto, AB (Calgary Hitmen, Moose Jaw Warriors) Zdeno Chara, Trencin, SVK (Prince George Cougars) Andrew Ference, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks) Anton Khudobin, Ust-Kamenogorsk, RUS (Saskatoon Blades) Milan Lucic, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Doug Houda, Blairmore, AB (Calgary Wranglers, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Management Asst. General Manager Jim Benning, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks) Dir. Player Personnel Scott Bradley, Abbotsford, B.C. (Seattle Thunderbirds-scout) President and Alt. Governor Cam Neely, Comox, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks)

BUFFALO SABRES Players Tyler Ennis, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Tyler Myers, DeWinton, AB (Kelowna Rockets) Robyn Regehr, Recife, BRA (Kamloops Blazers)

Management Darcy Regier, Swift Current, SK, (Lethbridge Broncos)

CALGARY FLAMES Players Mikael Backlund, Vasteras, SWE (Kelowna Rockets) Sven Baertschi, Langenthal, SUI (Portland Winterhawks) Jay Bouwmeester, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Tat Tigers) Blake Comeau, Meadow Lake, SK (Kelowna Rockets) Roman Horak, Ceske, Budejovice, CZ (Chilliwack Bruins) Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, AB (Kamloops Blazers) Leland Irving, Swan Hills, AB (Everett Silvertips) Blair Jones, Central Butte, SK (Red Deer Rebels, Moose Jaw Warriors) Cory Sarich, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Coaching Staff Goaltender Coach Clint Malarchuk, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)

Management Senior Vice President & Asst. G.M. Michael Holditch (Calgary Hitmen - Governor)

CAROLINA HURRICANES Players Drayson Bowman, Littleton, CO (Spokane Chiefs) Cam Ward, Saskatoon, SK (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff Dave Lewis, Kindersley, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Management Dir. Defenseman Development Glen Wesley, Red Deer, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS Players Marian Hossa, Stara Lubvona, CZE (Portland Winter Hawks) Duncan Keith, Winnipeg, MB (Kelowna Rockets) Michal Rozsival, Vlasim, CZE (Swift Current Broncos) Brent Seabrook, Richmond, B.C. (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

COLORADO AVALANCHE Players Tyson Barrie, Victoria, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets) Stefan Elliott, North Vancouver, B.C. (Saskatoon Blades) Chuck Kobasew, Vancouver, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets) Cody McLeod, Binscarth, MB (Portland Winter Hawks)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Adam Deadmarsh, Trail, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks)

Management Executive Advisor/Alt. Governor Joe Sakic, Burnaby, B.C. (Swift Current Broncos)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS Players Matt Calvert, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings) Derek Dorsett, Kindersley, SK (Medicine Hat Tigers) Nick Drazenovic, Prince George, B.C. (Prince George Cougars) Brandon Dubinsky, Anchorage, AK (Portland Winterhawks) Colton Gillies, White Rock, B.C. (Saskatoon Blades) Nick Holden, St. Albert, AB (Chilliwack Bruins) Ryan Johansen, Port Moody, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Craig Hartsburg, Stratford, ON (Everett Silvertips - c)

Management Pres. of Hockey Operations John Davidson, Ottawa, ON (Calgary Centennials)

DALLAS STARS Players Jamie Benn, Victoria, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets ) Brenden Dillon, Surrey, B.C. (Seattle Thunderbirds) Cody Eakin, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Kootenay Ice) Vernon Fiddler, Edmonton, AB (Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers) Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, SK (Portland Winter Hawks) Aaron Rome, Brandon, MB (Saskatoon Blades, Kootenay Ice, Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors) Colton Sceviour, Red Deer, AB (Portland Winterhawks, Lethbridge Hurricanes) Tomas Vincour, Brno, CZE (Edmonton Oil Kings) Ray Whitney, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Spokane Chiefs)

Coaching Staff Glen Gulutzan, The Pas, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings, Saskatoon Blades)

Management Co-G.M Les Jackson, Manning, AB (Estevan/NWM Bruins, Great Falls Americans-c, Brandon Wheat Kings-c) Hockey Ops. Consultant Stu Barnes, Spruce Grove, AB (New Westminster Bruins, Tri-City Americans)

DETROIT RED WINGS Players Darren Helm, St. Andrews, MB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Jordin Tootoo, Churchill, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings) Ian White, Steinbach, MB (Swift Current Broncos)

Coaching Staff Head Coach Mike Babcock, Manitouwadge, ON (Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Wings, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Spokane Chiefs-c) Asst. Coach Bill Peters, Three Hills, AB (Spokane Chiefs-c) Goaltending Dev. Coach Chris Osgood, Peace River, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Seattle Thunderbirds) Asst. Coach Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers - c)

Management General Manager Ken Holland, Vernon, B.C. (Medicine Hat Tigers) V.P/Asst. General Manager Jim Nill, Hanna, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers )

EDMONTON OILERS Players Devan Dubnyk, Regina, SK (Kamloops Blazers) Jordan Eberle, Regina, SK (Regina Pats) Mark Fistric, Edmonton, AB (Vancouver Giants) Darcy Hordichuk, Kamsack, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Calgary Hitmen) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Burnaby, B.C. (Red Deer Rebels) Nick Schultz, Strasbourg, SK (Prince Albert Raiders) Ryan Smyth, Banff, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Kelly Buchberger, Langenburg, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Management General Manager Steve Tambellini, Trail, B.C. (Lethbridge Broncos) Dir. Player Development Mike Sillinger, Regina, SK (Regina Pats) Sr. Dir. Player Development Rick Carriere, Edmonton, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels-c, Medicine Hat Tigers-gm)

FLORIDA PANTHERS Players Tomas Fleischmann, Koprivnice, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors) Quinton Howden, Oak Bank, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors) Tomas Kopecky, Ilava, SVK (Lethbridge Hurricanes) Peter Mueller, Bloomington, MN (Everett Silvertips) Jerred Smithson, Vernon, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen) Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray, AB (Kamloops Blazers) Kris Versteeg, Lethbridge, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers, Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas, Edmonton, AB (Seattle Thunderbirds)

LOS ANGELES KINGS Players Keaton Ellerby, Strathmore, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Moose Jaw Warriors) Colin Fraser, Sicamous, B.C. (Red Deer Rebels) Dwight King, Meadow Lake, SK (Lethbridge Hurricanes) Jarret Stoll, Melville, SK (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)

Coaching Staff Head Coach Darryl Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos) Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford, Brandon, MB (New Westminster Bruins) Dir. Goaltender Development Kim Dillabaugh (Kelowna Rockets, Calgary Hitmen, Kelowna Rockets-c)

Management Vice President/Asst. General Manager Ron Hextall, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

MINNESOTA WILD Players Kyle Brodziak, St. Paul, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors) Justin Falk, Snowflake, MB (Calgary Hitmen, Spokane Chiefs) Josh Harding, Regina, SK (Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings) Darcy Kuemper, Saskatoon, SK (Red Deer Rebels, Spokane Chiefs) Devin Setoguchi, Taber, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Prince George Cougars) Jared Spurgeon, Edmonton, AB (Spokane Chiefs) Clayton Stoner, Port McNeill, B.C. (Tri-City Americans )

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Rick Wilson, Prince Albert, SK (Prince Albert Raiders-c) Asst. Coach Darryl Sydor, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

MONTREAL CANADIENS Players Colby Armstrong, Lloydminster, SK (Red Deer Rebels) Brendan Gallagher, Delta, B.C. (Vancouver Giants) Josh Gorges, Kelowna, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets) Travis Moen, Swift Current, SK (Kelowna Rockets) Carey Price, Williams Lake, B.C. (Tri-City Americans) Ryan White, Brandon, MB (Calgary Hitmen)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS Players Jonathon Blum, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Vancouver Giants) Martin Erat, Krnov, CZE (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels) Paul Gaustad, Fargo, ND (Portland Winter Hawks) Scott Hannan, Richmond, B.C. (Kelowna/Tacoma Rockets) Chris Mason, Red Deer, AB (Prince George Cougars) Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff Head Coach Barry Trotz, Winnipeg, MB (Regina Pats) Asst. Coach Lane Lambert, Swift Current, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Prince George Cougars-c)

Management Advisor, Hockey Ops. Brent Peterson, Calgary, AB (Edmonton Oil King, Portland Winter Hawks, Portland Winter Hawks-c)

NEW JERSEY DEVILS Players Bryce Salvador, Brandon, MB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Dave Barr, Toronto, ON (Billings Bighorns, Edmonton Oil Kings, Great Falls Americans, Portland Winterhawks, Lethbridge Broncos)

NEW YORK ISLANDERS Players Michael Grabner, Villach, AUT (Spokane Chiefs) Travis Hamonic, St. Malo, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings) Thomas Hickey, Calgary, AB (Seattle Thunderbirds)

NEW YORK RANGERS Players Aaron Asham, Portage La Prairie, MB (Red Deer Rebels) Brandon Segal, Richmond, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)

Management Special Asst. to President Mark Messier, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)

OTTAWA SENATORS Players Jim O'Brien, Maplewood, MN (Seattle Thunderbirds) Chris Phillips, Calgary, AB (Prince Albert Raiders, Lethbridge Hurricanes) Zack Smith, Maple Creek, SK (Swift Current Broncos)

Management General Manager Bryan Murray, Shawille, QC (Regina Pats-c)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS Players Brian Boucher, Woonsocket, RI (Tri-City Americans) Braydon Coburn, Shaunavon, SK (Portland Winter Hawks) Scott Hartnell, Regina, SK (Prince Albert Raiders) Andrej Meszaros, Povazska Bystrica, SVK (Vancouver Giants) Brayden Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings) Luke Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Craig Berube, Calahoo, AB (NWM Bruins, Kamloops Jr. Oilers/Blazers, Medicine Hat Tigers) Asst. Coach Kevin McCarthy, Winnipeg, MB (Winnipeg Monarchs/Clubs)

Management Sr. Vice President Bob Clarke, Flin Flon, MB (Flin Flon Bombers) Asst. General Manager John Paddock, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings) Dir. Player Personnel Dave Brown, Saskatoon, SK (Spokane Flyers, Saskatoon Blades)

PHOENIX COYOTES Players Kyle Chipchura, Vimy, AB (Prince Albert Raiders) Shane Doan, Halkirk, AB (Kamloops Blazers) Boyd Gordon, Unity, AS (Red Deer Rebels) Martin Hanzal, Pisek, CZE (Red Deer Rebels) Jason LaBarbera, Burnaby, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks, Tri-City Americans) Derek Morris, Edmonton, AB (Regina Pats) David Schlemko, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Michael Stone, Winnipeg, MB (Calgary Hitmen)

Coaching Staff Development Coach Dave King, North Battleford, SK (Billings Bighorns-c) Associate Coach Jim Playfair, Ft. St. James, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks, Calgary Wranglers

Management Asst. General Manager Brad Treliving, Penticton, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks, Brandon Wheat Kings, Spokane Chiefs, Regina Pats) Dir. Amateur Scouting Rick Knickle, Dartmouth, NS (Brandon Wheat Kings)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS Players Zach Boychuk, Airdrie, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes) Deryk Engelland, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors) Brandon Sutter, Huntington, NY (Red Deer Rebels)

SAN JOSE SHARKS Players TJ Galiardi, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen) Scott Gomez, Anchorage, AK (Tri-City Americans) Patrick Marleau, Aneroid, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds) Brad Stuart, Rocky Mountain House, AB (Regina Pats, Calgary Hitmen)

Coaching Staff Head Coach Todd McLellan, Melville, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos-c) Goaltending Development Coach Corey Schwab, North Battleford, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)

ST. LOUIS BLUES Players Barret Jackman, Trail, B.C. (Regina Pats) Scott Nichol, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks) Roman Polak, Ostrava, CZE (Kootenay Ice) Ryan Reaves, Winnipeg, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings) Wade Redden, Lloydminster, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings) Kris Russell, Red Deer, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Coaching Staff Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers-c) Goaltending Consultant Corey Hirsch, Medicine Hat, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING Players Keith Aulie, Rouleau, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings) Eric Brewer, Vernon, B.C. (Prince George Cougars) Brendan Mikkelson, Regina, SK (Portland Winter Hawks, Vancouver Giants) Nate Thompson, Anchorage, AK (Seattle Thunderbirds) Dana Tyrell, Airdrie, AB (Prince George Cougars)

Management Head Amateur Scour Darryl Plandowski, Halifax, NS (Seattle Thunderbirds-ac)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Players Cody Franson, Sicamous, B.C. (Vancouver Giants) Joffrey Lupul, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Clarke MacArthur, Lloydminster, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers) Frazer McLaren, Winnipeg, MB (Portland Winterhawks, Moose Jaw Warriors) Colton Orr, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Kamloops Blazers, Regina Pats) Dion Phaneuf, Edmonton, AB (Red Deer Rebels) James Reimer, Winnipeg, MB (Red Deer Rebels)

Management Community Rep. Wendel Clark, Kelvington, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

VANCOUVER CANUCKS Players Alexander Edler, Ostersund, SWE (Kelowna Rockets) Dan Hamhuis, Smithers, B.C. (Prince George Cougars) Jannik Hansen, Herlev, DNK (Portland Winter Hawks) Dale Weise, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos)

Management Dir. of Player Personnel Lorne Henning, Melfort, SK (Estevan/New Westminster Bruins) Dir. of Player Development Stan Smyl, Glendon, AB (New Westminster Bruins)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS Players Karl Alzner, Burnaby, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen) Troy Brouwer, Vancouver, B.C. (Moose Jaw Warriors) Jason Chimera, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings) Eric Fehr, Winkler, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings) Mike Green, Calgary, AB (Saskatoon Blades) Braden Holtby, Llyodminster, SK (Saskatoon Blades) Tomas Kundratek, Jrinec, CZE (Medicine Hat Tigers) Jeff Schultz, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Coaching Staff Asst. Coach Tim Hunter, Calgary, AB (Seattle Breakers) Asst./Video Coach Blaine Forsythe (Calgary Hitmen-ac) Associate Goalie Coach Olaf Kolzig, Johannesburg, RSA (New Westminster Bruins/Tri-City Americans)

WINNIPEG JETS Players Dustin Byfuglien, Minneapolis, MN (Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince George Cougars) Evander Kane, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants) Andrew Ladd, Maple Ridge, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen) Paul Postma, Red Deer, AB (Swift Current Broncos, Calgary Hitmen) James Wright, Saskatoon, SK (Vancouver Giants)

Coaching Staff Goaltending Coach Wade Flaherty, Terrace, B.C. (Kelowna Wings, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Victoria Cougars)

Management Executive V.P & General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)

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