Soakin’ in the Tubb: Bits and bites from the first round of WHL playoffs

By JAMES TUBB on April 9, 2025.

What a start to the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Four five-game series, one six gamer, two went to seven, with just one sweep. No time for a partridge in a pear tree.

There was a lot to like across the league, starting with the Spokane Chiefs’ line of Berkly Catton, Andrew Cristall and Shea Van Olm. All three combined for 37 points in a five-game win over the Vancouver Giants.

Calgary’s quick disposal of the Saskatoon Blades and the Lethrbdige Hurricanes beating the Brandon Wheat Kings sets up for a mammoth of a second-round series.

The Hitmen added Tanner Howe, Kalem Parker, Sawyer Mynio and Daniel Hauser leading up to the deadline. Hurricanes additions include Brayden Yager, Jackson Unger, Vojtech Port and Caden Price. One of those two juggernauts from the Central division will not make it to the third round.

It’s hard to say who will be more tense, the players on the ice or the staff in the press box who mortgaged the future for this year.

The Seattle Thunderbirds gave the Scotty Munro champion Everett Silvertips a run for their money, with the Silvertips taking the series with a 1-0, double-overtime win in Game 6 on Monday.

Longtime Seattle net minder Scott Ratzlaff gave it his all in the double OT loss, making 47 saves in what is likely his last junior hockey game. The Buffalo Sabres prospect is signed by the NHL club and he is likely destined for either the American Hockey League or ECHL next season.

His graduation from the WHL will be joined by a group of elite net minders next season with fellow NHL prospect Carson Bjarnason likely making the jump as well as overagers Harrison Meneghin, Daniel Hauser, Reid Dyck and Max Hildebrand all graduating.

It leaves quite the opportunity for top goaltenders like Chase Wutzke, Evan Gardner and Joshua Ravensbergen to make over the league more than they already have.

Speaking of goaltenders, it’s truly, truly amazing how Meneghin has been able to play at the level he has for the Medicine Hat Tigers in these playoffs. Following the sudden passing of his father Derek, it was hard to know if the 20-year-old would want to or would even be able to get himself at a level to excel. Him returning to practice on the Thursday ahead of Game 1 on March 28 was telling, but who knew he would have the showing he did?

While recording that spectacular 21-save shutout in Game 1, Meneghin looked like his normal self in net. But the post-buzzer celebratory point to the sky before being mobbed left a few dry eyes in Co-op Place. That carried into the locker room with players and coaches alike shedding tears for their net minder.

Meneghin responded from getting pulled in Game 3 to help the Tigers shut the door on the Broncos. He’s been an inspiration every day for those around him.

He has understandably been unavailable for media and likely won’t be heard from throughout the playoffs. Instead, how he’s shown up every day and the impact he has had on this team has been felt throughout the first round with how teammates have spoken about him.

“It’s pretty special, shows the type of guy he is and I don’t think there’s any team in the CHL that’s more motivated than we are,” forward Gavin McKenna said following Game 2. “We are all there for Harry, we want the rink to be a getaway for him, just be with the guys. We’re all family in there. We want to do it for him and his family and Derek. So we love him, he’s going to war for us, so we’ll do the same for him.”

WHL Draft lottery

The WHL’s draft lottery in scheduled for Thursday.

The Edmonton Oil Kings, who have the Moose Jaw Warriors first-round pick for the 2025 WHL draft, have the best odds of winning the draft lottery. The Regina Pats and the Kelowna Rockets also have a shot at moving up to the first overall pick.

The expansion Penticton Vees, Everett Silvertips (via Kamloops Blazers), Vancouver Giants (via Wenatchee Wild) and Red Deer Rebels are also in the lottery but can’t pick first overall. Teams are limited to only moving up two spots.

Regina product Maddox Schultz is considered as the top prospect for the upcoming WHL draft; the 15-year-old had 43 goals and 93 points in 44 games to win the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League scoring race as an underage player. He was also named league MVP and rookie of the year.

Tub(b) Thoughts

– It’s almost absurd what McKenna has done in the playoffs this year, two goals and 16 points through five games. He has a little under half the number the Spokane trio has. That’s special stuff.

His point streak reaching 45 games is pretty incredible as well. There’s no question he can step up in the big moment. Also a major positive is to see Oasiz Wiesblatt have the success he has (seven goals, 12 points).

– Maybe the only query with the Tigers’ offence, can they get some more throughout the lineup? The top line of McKenna, Wiesblatt and Ryder Ritchie scored 13 of the team’s 21 goals against Swift Current. Five of those came on the power play, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt to round out the offence in the second round.

– Full disclosure, this column is being written with Game 7 between the Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings on in the background. Not a shock that series was as close as it was. Whomever comes out of that series will be a tough test for the Tigers. If it is the Raiders, I hope former Tabby Tomas Mrsic can work back into action after missing Games 6 and 7 with an upper body injury suffered in Game 5. He was hit in the face by a skate, a freak accident, and did not return to the game.

– The attendance at Co-op Place to start the playoffs was a real treat to see, with more than 5,400 in the building for each game. Game 2 and Game 5 both saw 5,900-plus in attendance, numbers that would be great to see replicated this weekend as the second round kicks off. Although, it will be hard to replicate the pop and cheers from the moments celebrating Meneghin in Game 1.

James Tubb is sports reporter with the Medicine Hat News. He can be reached at jtubb@medicinehatnews.com