The Western Hockey League is set to drop the puck on the 2024-25 campaign this Friday night, making it the perfect time for the debut of SportsCage.com’s Eastern Conference power rankings.
Each week, a group of contributors from both the East and West Divisions will rank the Conference’s 11 teams based on their performance throughout the season, with most recent results taking priority.
1) Medicine Hat Tigers
The Tigers have an absolute wealth of talent coming back from a team that finished fourth in the Conference last season. Gavin McKenna -- who turns 16 in December -- will be looking to top 100 points and possibly the league in scoring, with a talented supporting cast that includes Andrew Basha, Cayden Lindstrom and Oasiz Weisblatt. Jonas Woo leads a young defence, but goals shouldn’t be hard to come by for the consensus pre-season number one.
2) Brandon Wheat Kings
Brandon features quite a bit of depth up front, led by possible first-round NHL pick Roger McQueen and Czechia forward Dominik Petr. The team’s top defensive pair in Quinn Mantei and Charlie Elick could be one of the best in the league, and goaltender Carson Bjarnasson is a wall in goal. Plenty of potential for big things in the Wheat City.
3) Prince Albert Raiders
The Raiders have had a ton of first round draft picks in recent WHL Drafts, and that youth is starting to emerge, which could make for interesting times for the Raiders. Forward Cole Pearson joins newcomer Thomas Mrsic, overage import Krzysztof Macias and Niall Crocker as top scoring talent, while 20-year-old defenceman Lukas Dragicevic anchors the blue line. Max Hildebrand gives the Raiders solid goaltending.
4) Swift Current Broncos
Despite losing a ton of talent from their Eastern Conference-contending crew last season, the Broncos look to still be contenders this season, in no small part to their solid defensive corps led by Grayson Burzynski, import Adam Kral and newcover Eric Johnston. Clarke Caswell joins Connor Hvidston and Ryan Gould as top scoring threats, and should he return from NHL camp, Reid Dyck gives the Broncos an elite goaltender.
5) Red Deer Rebels
It all starts from the goaltending on out for the Rebels, with NHL pick Chase Wutzke backstopping a defensive unit led by overagers Hunter Mayo and Jace Weir. Trae Wilkie will be relied upon to provide offence, with Jhett Larson and Carson Birnie coming off of solid showings in the pre-season. Brent Sutter always has his teams in the hunt, no exception this time.
6) Moose Jaw Warriors
The defending WHL champions have lost a ton of talent, but will look to rely on their winning pedigree to push themselves into a playoff spot. Forward Brayden Yager is the undisputed offensive leader in his final season in Moose Jaw, with Brayden Schuurman and highly ranked NHL prospect Lynden Lakovic also among their scoring talent. Kalem Parker leads the defence, and goaltender Jackson Unger is one of the best in the WHL.
7) Lethbridge Hurricanes
There’s little question where the Hurricanes expect much of their offence to come from, with NHL pick Miguel Marques joining Brayden Edwards and Logan Wormald in returning as the team’s top line. Noah Chadwick and Logan McCutcheon anchor the blueline and NHL pick Harrison Meneghin will need a solid season to push the Hurricanes into the playoffs.
8) Calgary Hitmen
High-scoring defenceman Carter Yakemchuk and forward Oliver Tulk lead a relatively young Hitmen crew into the season, with the team currently having only one overager on their roster. Ben Kindel had a solid campaign as a 16-year-old last season and will be looked to for more offence, Ethan Buenaventura gives Calgary a veteran presence in net as they aim to get back in the playoff picture.
9) Saskatoon Blades
The rebuild begins for the 2023-24 WHL regular-season champions. Newcomer Ben Riche led the WHL in pre-season scoring and will look to keep that roll going, while forward Brandon Lisowsky and defenceman Tanner Molendyk will look to continue the offensive touch they showed last season. Evan Gardner will likely be the starting netminder after a solid playoff run. Look for the Blades to contend for the final playoff spot in the Conference.
10) Edmonton Oil Kings
The Oil Kings have some pieces in place that could make for a much, much higher finish than this prediction if things go their way. Forwards Gracyn Sawchyn, Gavin Hodnett and Marshall Finnie all showed flashes of brilliance last season, and Joe Iginla is a newcomer with plenty of hype. Adam Jecho will be a leader on the blueline and fellow import Miroslav Holinka is an NHL pick could have an impact.
11) Regina Pats.
The Pats could be a year away from contention, but this season will be a step in that direction. NHL pick Tanner Howe returns and will be the definitive team leader, while Jaxsin and Corbin Vaughn will look for bigger numbers in their third season. Overager John Babcock will lead an exceptionally young defence in front of veteran goaltender Ewan Huet.
