5 Players to Watch in the WHL (October 2026)

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By Keenen KandaNetFront Sports Contributor

September 24, 20264 min read

The first weekend of WHL action brought high-scoring affairs, low-scoring contests, and nearly half of all games requiring extra time to find a winner. The first weekend is always a small sample size of the bigger things to come throughout a grueling season, but who should be on your radar to keep an eye on as the season progresses? Here are 5 standouts that fit the bill:

Ilari Kapanen, D, Brandon Wheat Kings

Looking at just the scoresheet, you’d think Kapanen is a star forward after being drafted 106th overall in the 2026 Import Draft. But can you believe that, in his first WHL game of his career, also playing on his off-side slotted in as the 3-4 RD, he’d bury four points? Kapanen took me by surprise, as through 4 pre-season contests, he’d record 0 points and go -3. What’s even more surprising? His entire 2025-26 campaign with Timra IK Jr. in the Sweden J20 SuperElit and HIFK Helsinki of SM-liiga only netted him 4 points in 13 contests. Sure, as a defenseman you’re not looking for fantastic nor consistent point production per se, but it begs the question on if the development of his game in the Nordics may translate into a more offensive game in the WHL as time goes on for the 19-year-old and how Brandon utilizes him if that’s how he settles into the North American game.

Dayne Beuker, C, Lethbridge Hurricanes

The WHL Rookie of the Week for Week 1, and product of the US National Development Team, is showing early glimpses that he’s got what it takes for the WHL. Beuker recorded 1 goal and 2 assists in 2 games in Week 1, showing that Lethbridge made a good choice taking him 14th overall in the 2023 Draft. The right-handed centreman has been entrusted with 1st line duties in his rookie season, which shows that Lethbridge believes he will be an integral piece of the Hurricanes offense this season. The only question that stands in my mind after Week 1 is how fast can Beuker integrate into the Hurricanes system, and how will his production change once he does settle in?

Brayden Klimpke, D, Saskatoon Blades

Season number 4 underway for the 18-year-old out of Calgary, AB, and his fourth consecutive season with the Saskatoon Blades. With trips to the WHL playoffs the last two seasons, the veteran defenseman did not take a step back in the slightest. Named the WHL Player of the Week for Week 1, Klimpke recorded 3 goals and 2 assists in the Blades’ opening weekend on the road. The Montreal Canadiens 2026 4th round selection recorded a career-high 47 points in 68 games last season, and is already one goal away from matching his career-high in single-season goals. The biggest thing to watch for Klimpke comes from his historical offensive production vs ice-time. Saskatoon has always relied on him to eat major minutes on the back end and keep them in the fight. Does his offensive production show that there’s a side to his game he has not yet unleashed, or is it a one-off weekend and he gets back into his rhythm on the blue line?

Luke Cozens, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers

The 20-year-old from Whitehorse, YT is heading into his fifth full season in the WHL, but his first full one with Medicine Hat, after Lethbridge sent him East at the trade deadline last year in a swap for Kyle Heger with some picks included. Cozens will be an intriguing watch this season, as following the trade, his offensive production took a plunge from 1.13 PPG to 0.57 PPG. His hot start to his 2026 campaign is what stands out here, as after goose-eggs against his former club in the season opener, he’d casually drop a hat trick against the Hurricanes in the Tigers’ home opener the next night. After a career-high 61 points in 69 games split between the two Southern Alberta clubs last season, can Cozens find his footing, return to his offensive ways, and become a weapon for the Tigers over a full season?

Grayson Malinoski, G, Seattle Thunderbirds

Malinoski provides a unique look at the WHL’s goaltender landscape coming into the 2026-27 season. A near 50/50 split in net last year for the netminder saw numbers that were decent, but not what would be expected of a starting goaltender in the WHL, at 3.48 GAA, 0.896 SV%, and an 11-15-1-3 record. Don’t get me wrong – the glimpses were there last season, with a handful of games above .900 and below 3.00, but where Malinoski was struggling coming into 2026-27 was consistency. I’ll be curious to see how Malinoski develops this season and if he can hold the Thunderbirds’ starting goaltender position, but the start to the season is looking strong after his first career shutout with 31 saves against Wenatchee.

The sample size may be small, but these five have shown that good things could be on the horizon for each of them. Week 2 of WHL action kicks off tomorrow, Friday September 25th with a matchup in Brandon as the Regina Pats roll into town. For scores, standings, articles, videos, and more, be sure to keep checking back here on netfrontsports.com.