Why Is The WHL The Best?

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The Western Hockey League is pleased to announce that over 21 percent of all players who have played in the National Hockey League this season are graduates of the WHL.
Of the 867 players who have appeared in an NHL game thus far this season, 187 are graduates of the WHL.
In addition to the 187 players, there are 35 WHL graduates currently on the coaching staffs of NHL Clubs, and another 28 WHL graduates who currently occupy key management positions with NHL clubs.

The Washington Capitals lead the way with 12 WHL Alumni having played in at least one NHL game this season. The Caps also have two WHL Alumni on their coaching staff.
The Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks all boast at least 10 former WHL players on their rosters. The Blackhawks and Flames each have 11 WHL Alumni on their rosters while the Canucks are right behind with 10 former WHLers to have suited up for their Club this season.

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

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Name, Birthplace, WHL Club(s) in brackets (c-indicates WHL coach, ac - indicates assistant coach)

Players

Troy Bodie, Portage, La Prairie, MB (Kelowna Rockets)

Kyle Calder, Mannville, AB (Regina Pats, Kamloops Blazers)

Kyle Chipchura, Vimy, AB (Prince Albert Raiders)

Brett Festerling, Quesnel, B.C. (Tri-City Americans, Vancouver Giants)

Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, SK (Calgary Hitmen)

Joffrey Lupul, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Brendan Mikkelson, Regina, SK (Portland Winter Hawks, Vancouver Giants)

Scott Niedermayer, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Luca Sbisa, Oberageri, SUI (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Coaching Staff

Pete Peeters, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

ATLANTA THRASHERS

Players

Colby Armstrong, Lloydminster, SK (Red Deer Rebels)

Garnet Exelby, Ste. Anne, MB (Saskatoon Blades, Regina Pats)

Evander Kane, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)

Pavel Kubina, Celadna, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)


Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Todd Nelson, Prince Albert, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)



BOSTON BRUINS



Players

Johnny Boychuk, Edmonton, AB (Calgary Hitmen, Moose Jaw Warriors)

Zdeno Chara, Trencin, SVK (Prince George Cougars)

Andrew Ference, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)

Milan Lucic, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)

Derek Morris, Edmonton, AB (Regina Pats)

Mark Recchi, Kamloops, B.C. (New Westminster Bruins, Kamloops Blazers)



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)

Vice President Cam Neely, Comox, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks)



BUFFALO SABRES



Players

Tyler Ennis, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Paul Gaustad, Fargo, ND (Portland Winter Hawks)

Clarke MacArthur, Lloydminster, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Tyler Myers, DeWinton, AB (Kelowna Rockets)

Nathan Paetche, Leroyldt, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Lindy Ruff, Warburg, AB (Lethbridge Broncos)



CALGARY FLAMES



Players

Jay Bouwmeester, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Tat Tigers)

Dustin Boyd, Winnipeg, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Nigel Dawes, Winnipeg, MB (Kootenay Ice)

Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Jason Jaffray, Olds, AB (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)

Daymond Langkow, Edmonton, AB (Tri-City Americans)

Jamie Lundmark, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Dion Phaneuf, Edmonton, AB (Red Deer Rebels)

Robyn Regehr, Recife, BRA (Kamloops Blazers)

Cory Sarich, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Fredrik Sjostrom, Fargelanda, SWE (Calgary Hitmen)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Brent Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos, Red Deer Rebels-c)

Asst. Coach Dave Lowry, Sudbury, ON (Calgary Hitmen-c)

Asst. Coach Ryan McGill, Sherwood Park, AB (Let/SC Broncos, MH Tigers, Edm/Ktn Ice-c)

Asst. Coach Jamie McLennan, Edmonton, AB (Spokane Chiefs, Lethbridge Hurricanes)



Management

General Manager Darryl Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos)

Dir. Player Personnel Duane Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos, Medicine Hat Tigers-c)



CAROLINA HURRICANES



Players

Zach Boychuk, Airdrie, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Brett Carson, Regina, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors, Calgary Hitmen)

Brandon Sutter, Sylvan Lake, AB (Red Deer Rebels)

Ray Whitney, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Spokane Chiefs)

Cam Ward, Saskatoon, SK (Red Deer Rebels)



Management

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



CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS



Players

Cam Barker, Winnipeg, MB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Troy Brouwer, Vancouver, B.C. (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Dustin Byfuglien, Minneapolis, MN (Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince George Cougars)

Colin Fraser, Sicamous, B.C. (Red Deer Rebels)

Marian Hossa, Stara Lubvona, CZE (Portland Winter Hawks)

Duncan Keith, Winnipeg, MB (Kelowna Rockets)

Tomas Kopecky, Ilava, SVK (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Andrew Ladd, Maple Ridge, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)

Brent Seabrook, Richmond, B.C. (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Brent Sopel, Calgary, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos)

Kris Versteeg, Lethbridge, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers, Red Deer Rebels)



Management

Asst. General Manager Kevin Chevaldayoff, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)



COLORADO AVALANCHE



Players

Kyle Cumiskey, Abbotsford, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)

T.J. Galiardi, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Scott Hannan, Richmond, B.C. (Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets)

David Koci, Prague, CZE (Prince George Cougars)

Cody McLeod, Binscarth, MB (Portland Winter Hawks)

Marek Svatos, Kosice, SVK (Kootenay Ice)

Darcy Tucker, Castor, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Coaching Staff

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

Asst. Coach Steve Konowalchuk, Salt Lake City, UT (Portland Winterhawks)



COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS



Players

Derek Dorsett, Kindersley, SK (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Kris Russell, Red Deer, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers-c)



Management

Dir. Hockey Ops. and Player Personnel Don Boyd, Dryden, ON (Brandon Wheat Kings, Regina Pats – c)

Dir. Pro Scouting Bob Strumm (Billings Bighorns-GM, Regina Pats-c/GM, Spokane Chiefs-GM)



DALLAS STARS



Players

Jamie Benn, Victoria, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets )

Mark Fistric, Edmonton, AB (Vancouver Giants)

Aaron Gagnon, Quesnel, B.C. (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Mike Modano, Livonia, MI (Prince Albert Raiders)

Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, SK (Portland Winter Hawks)

Warren Peters, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Brian Sutherby, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Jeff Woywitka, Vermillion, AB (Red Deer Rebels)



Coaching Staff

Stu Barnes, Spruce Grove, AB (New Westminster Bruins, Tri-City Americans)

Andy Moog, Penticton, B.C. (Billings Bighorns)



Management

Co-G.M Les Jackson, Manning, AB (Estevan/NWM Bruins, Great Falls Americans-c, Brandon Wheat Kings-c)



DETROIT RED WINGS



Players

Darren Helm, St. Andrews, MB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Derek Meech, Winnipeg, MB (Red Deer Rebels)

Chris Osgood, Peace River, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Brad Stuart, Rocky Mountain House, AB (Regina Pats, Calgary Hitmen)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Mike Babcock, Manitouwadge, ON (Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Wings, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Spokane Chiefs-c)

Asst. Coach Brad McCrimmon, Dodsland, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)



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

Dean Arsene, Murrayville, B.C. (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice, Regina Pats)

Gilbert Brule, Edmonton, AB (Vancouver Giants)

Mike Comrie, Edmonton, AB (Kootenay Ice)

Devan Dubnyk, Regina, SK (Kamloops Blazers)

Sheldon Souray, Elk Point, AB (Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets)

Ryan Stone, Calgary, AB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Jason Strudwick, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Coaching Staff

Associate Coach Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers-c)

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



Management

General Manager Steve Tambellini, Trail, B.C. (Lethbridge Broncos)



FLORIDA PANTHERS



Players

Kenndal McArdle, Burnaby, B.C. (Moose Jaw Warriors, Vancouver Giants)

Bryan McCabe, St. Catharines, ONT (Medicine Hat Tigers, Spokane Chiefs)

Michal Repik, Vlasim, CZE (Vancouver Giants)

Nick Tarnasky, Rocky Mountain House, AB (Vancouver Giants, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes)



LOS ANGELES KINGS



Players

Kyle Calder, Mannville, AB (Regina Pats, Kamloops Blazers)

Oscar Moller, Spanga, SWE (Chilliwack Bruins)

Brayden Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Brandon Segal, Richmond, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)

Ryan Smyth, Banff, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Jarret Stoll, Melville, SK (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)



Coaching Staff

Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford, Brandon, MB (New Westminster Bruins)



Management

Asst. General Manager Ron Hextall, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)



MINNESOTA WILD



Players

Derek Boogaard, Saskatoon, SK (Regina Pats, Prince George Cougars, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Kyle Brodziak, St. Paul, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Josh Harding, Regina, SK (Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Shane Hnidy, Neepawa, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Prince Albert Raiders)

Chuck Kobasew, Vancouver, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)

Nick Schultz, Strasbourg, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)

Nathan Smith, Edmonton, AB (Swift Current Broncos)

Clayton Stoner, Port McNeill, B.C. (Tri-City Americans )



MONTREAL CANADIENS



Players

Scott Gomez, Anchorage, AK (Tri-City Americans)

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)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Perry Pearn (Medicine Hat Tigers-c)



NASHVILLE PREDATORS



Players

Wade Belak, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Martin Erat, Krnov, CZE (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels)

Cody Franson, Sicamous, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)

Tristan Grant, Neepawa, MB (Vancouver Giants, Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Jerred Smithson, Vernon, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)

Jordin Tootoo, Churchill, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Dan Hamhuis, Smithers, B.C. (Prince George Cougars)

Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Barry Trotz, Winnipeg, MB (Regina Pats)

Associate Coach Brent Peterson, Calgary, AB (Edmonton Oil King, Portland Winter Hawks, Portland Winter Hawks-c)



NEW JERSEY DEVILS



Players

Dean McAmmond, Grand Cache, AB (Swift Current Broncos, Prince Albert Raiders)

Rob Niedermayer, Cassiar, B.C. (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Bryce Salvador, Brandon, MB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)



NEW YORK ISLANDERS



Players

Blake Comeau, Meadow Lake, SK (Kelowna Rockets)

Trent Hunter, Red Deer, AB (Prince George Cougars)

Nate Thompson, Anchorage, AK (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Brendan Witt, Humboldt, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Dean Chynoweth, Calgary, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Seattle Thunderbirds-c, Swift Current Broncos-c/GM)



Management

Dir. of Player Development Bryan Trottier, Val Marie, SK (Swift Current/Lethbridge Broncos)



NEW YORK RANGERS



Players

Dane Byers, Nipawin, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)

Erik Christensen, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Brandon Dubinsky, Anchorage, AK (Portland Winter Hawks)

Wade Redden, Lloydminster, AB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Michal Rozsival, Vlasim, CZE (Swift Current Broncos)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Mike Pelino (Spokane Chiefs-c)



OTTAWA SENATORS



Players

Mike Brodeur, Calgary, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Ryan Keller, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades

Chris Phillips, Calgary, AB (Prince Albert Raiders, Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Zack Smith, Maple Creek, SK (Swift Current Broncos)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Cory Clouston, Viking, AB (Kootenay Ice-c)

Asst. Coach Brad Lauer, Humboldt, SK (Regina Pats, Kootenay Ice-ac)



Management

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



PHILADELPHIA FLYERS



Players

Aaron Asham, Portage La Prairie, MB (Red Deer Rebels)

Blair Betts, Edmonton, AB (Prince George Cougars)

Brian Boucher, Woonsocket, RI (Tri-City Americans)

Braydon Coburn, Shaunavon, SK (Portland Winter Hawks)

Riley Cote, Winnipeg, MB (Prince Albert Raiders)

Scott Hartnell, Regina, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)

Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, Oslo, NOR (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Craig Berube, Calahoo, AB (NWM Bruins, Kamloops Jr. Oilers/Blazers, Medicine Hat Tigers)



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

Shane Doan, Halkirk, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Vernon Fiddler, Edmonton, AB (Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Martin Hanzal, Pisek, CZE (Red Deer Rebels)

Shaun Heshka, Melville, SK (Everett Silvertips)

Jason LaBarbera, Burnaby, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks, Tri-City Americans)

Peter Mueller, Bloomington, MN (Everett Silvertips)

Kurt Sauer, St. Cloud, MN (Spokane Chiefs)

David Schlemko, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Jim Vandermeer, Caroline, AB (Red Deer Rebels)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Dave King, North Battleford, SK (Billings Bighorns-c)



Management

Asst. General Manager Brad Treliving, Penticton, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks, Brandon Wheat Kings, Spokane Chiefs, Regina Pats)

Dir. Goaltending Development Grant Fuhr, Spruce Grove, AB (Victoria Cougars)

Dir. Amateur Scouting Keith Gretzky, Brantford, ON (Tri-City Americans-ac)



PITTSBURGH PENGUINS



Players

Deryk Engelland, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Eric Godard, Vernon, B.C. (Lethbridge Hurricanes)



SAN JOSE SHARKS



Players

Patrick Marleau, Aneroid, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)

Frazer McLaren, Winnipeg, MB (Portland Winterhawks, Moose Jaw Warriors)

Scott Nichol, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)

Devin Setoguchi, Taber, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Prince George Cougars)



Coaching Staff

Head Coach Todd McLellan, Melville, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos-c)

Asst. Coach Trent Yawney, Hudson Bay, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Goaltending Development Coach Corey Schwab, North Battleford, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)



ST. LOUIS BLUES



Players

Eric Brewer, Vernon, B.C. (Prince George Cougars)

Barret Jackman, Trail, B.C. (Regina Pats)

D.J. King, Meadow Lake, SK (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kelowna Rockets)

Chris Mason, Red Deer, AB (Prince George Cougars)

Roman Polak, Ostrava, CZE (Kootenay Ice)

Darryl Sydor, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Management

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



TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING



Players

Ryan Craig, Abbotsford, B.C. (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Todd Fedoruk, Redwater, AB (Kelowna Rockets, Regina Pats, Prince Albert Raiders)

Blair Jones, Central Butte, SK (Red Deer Rebels, Moose Jaw Warriors)

Andrej Meszaros, Povazska Bystrica, SVK (Vancouver Giants)

Matt Walker, Beaverlodge, AB (Portland Winter Hawks, Kootenay Ice)

James Wright, Saskatoon, SK (Vancouver Giants)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Wes Walz, Calgary, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince Albert Raiders)



Management

Dir. Player Personnel Jim Hammett, Kelowna, B.C (Red Deer Rebels-ac)

Head Amateur Scout Darryl Plandowski (Seattle Thunderbirds-ac)



TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS



Players

Garnet Exelby, Ste. Anne, MB (Saskatoon Blades, Regina Pats)

Colton Orr, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Kamloops Blazers, Regina Pats)

Luke Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Kelowna Rockets)

Ian White, Steinbach, MB (Swift Current Broncos)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Tim Hunter, Calgary, AB (Seattle Breakers)

Goaltending Coach Corey Hirsch, Medicine Hat, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Management

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



VANCOUVER CANUCKS



Players

Mario Bliznak, Trencin, SVK (Vancouver Giants)

Alexander Edler, Ostersund, SWE (Kelowna Rockets)

Michael Grabner, Villach, AUT (Spokane Chiefs )

Jannik Hansen, Herlev, DNK (Portland Winter Hawks)

Darcy Hordichuk, Kamsack, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Calgary Hitmen)

Brad Lukowich, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers)

Lawrence Nycholat, Calgary, AB (Swift Current Broncos)

Matt Pettinger, Edmonton, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Aaron Rome, Nesbitt, MB (Saskatoon Blades, MJ Warriors, SC Broncos, Kootenay Ice)

Rick Rypien, Coleman, SK (Regina Pats)



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)

Jason Chimera, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings)

Eric Fehr, Winkler, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

Tomas Fleischmann, Koprivnice, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Boyd Gordon, Unity, AS (Red Deer Rebels)

Mike Green, Calgary, AB (Saskatoon Blades)

Boyd Kane, Swift Current, SK (Regina Pats)

Brooks Laich, Wawota, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Quintin Laing, Harris, SK (Kelowna Rockets)

Shaone Morrisonn, Vancouver, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers)

Jeff Schultz, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Tyler Sloan, Calgary, AB (Kamloops Blazers)



Coaching Staff

Asst. Coach Dean Evason, Flin Flon, MB (Spokane Flyers, Kamloops Jr. Oilers, Kamloops Blazers-c, Vancouver Giants-c, Calgary Hitmen-c)

Asst./Video Coach Blaine Forsythe (Calgary Hitmen-ac)