By Paul FiglerNetFront Sports ContributorCougars sign netminder
2007-born goaltender Kason Kobelka (3 GP, 2.27 GAA, .897 SV%, 2-0-0 with Calgary in 2024-25) has signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Prince George Cougars. Kobelka, from Calgary, AB, played early this season for the Vernon Vipers of the BC Hockey League (BCHL), where he posted a 3-0-1 record, a 1.05 goals-against average, and a .963 save percentage.
Winterhawks name 51st team captain
20-year-old forward Nathan Brown (17G, 26A through 63 games with Portland from 2025-present) has been named the 51st captain of the Portland Winterhawks. In eight games this season, the product of Winnipeg, MB, has one goal and three assists. Brown has already notched one game of professional hockey in his career, joining the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators following his rookie WHL campaign in 2025-26.
Americans recall Gibson
2026 WHL Prospects Draft sixth overall selection Kenzo Gibson has been recalled by the Tri-City Americans from his CSSHL U18 team, Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep. He has scored seven goals and added two assists in six games.
Henry recalled by Pats
2010-born forward Logan Henry has been recalled by the Regina Pats. Henry, from Prince George, BC, was the 23rd overall selection at the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. He has appeared in six games with his CSSHL U18 team, Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep, earning one goal and seven assists.
KalPa signs Crnkovic
24-year-old forward Kyle Crnkovic (111G, 178A in 277 games with Saskatoon and Seattle from 2017-22) has headed overseas to join KalPa of Liiga in Finland. It will be the Calgary, AB native’s first professional season overseas. Last season Crnkovic played 18 games with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda, scoring once and adding five assists. He also played 43 games with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, scoring 47 points on 22 goals and 25 assists.
Mirwald, Winquist and Valiyev released by ECHL squads
In a tough day for WHL alumni in the ECHL, three players were released from their ECHL squads.
23-year-old goaltender Brett Mirwald (100GP, 42-43-8, 3.23GAA, .907SV%, 2SO with Moose Jaw and Vancouver from 2020-24) was released from the Allen Americans. Mirwald, who is from Saskatoon, SK, had not yet played in a game this season. Last season, Mirwald played in both U Sports with the University of British Columbia and in the ECHL with the Americans. He had an 11-1-2 regular season record, with a 2.27 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and two shutouts with UBC. With the Americans, he sported a 5-0-1 regular season record, a 1.58 GAA, a .950 SV%, and two shutouts. In the ECHL playoffs, he was 2-1-0, with a 3.57GAA and a .878 SV%
33-year-old centre Josh Winquist (101G, 115A in 301GP with Everett from 2009-14) was released by the Atlanta Gladiators following three games with the team this season. The product of St. Albert, AB, had joined his eighth ECHL team following a stint in the EIHL with the Fife Flyers.
Nizhnekamsk, Russia product Rinat Vailyev (14G, 60A in 107 games with Kootenay ICE from 2013-15) has been released by the Bloomington Bison following being activated from the seven-day IR. The 31-year-old defenseman had hoped to return to North America following five seasons spent in three different Eurasian leagues. Last season, Vailyev split time between HK Chelny (7GP, 1G, 0A) of the VHL in Russia and HK Almaty (44GP, 5G, 24A) of Kazakhstan. He has 12 games of NHL experience over two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Skok departs Cortina
2006-born defenseman Jan Skok (57GP, 1G, 1A with Vancouver from 2025-26) has mutually agreed to part ways with Cortina of AlpsHL in Italy. Through eight games this season he was held off the scoresheet.
Around the DUB
(2) Everett AT Saskatoon (3) SO
Bennett Byers, EVT, 33 saves, two for five in the shootout
(3) Penticton AT Calgary (4)
Carter Sanderson, CGY, 2G, 1A, PPG
(0) Seattle AT Regina (6)
Samuel Karsay, REG, 1G, 1A, GWG 4:24 into the second period
(0) Tri-City AT Kamloops (4)
Isa Guram, KAM, 1G, 1G, GWG 13:15 into the first period
(5) Vancouver AT Prince George (3)
Blake Chorney, VAN, 2G, 1A
(3) Portland AT Kelowna (2)
Jacob Henderson, KEL, 2G, PPG
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