WHL Stock Watch: Bryce Pickford's record-setting campaign
Two months have passed since our last WHL Stock Watch, and so much has changed that it’s impossible to fit it all in one article.
To start, the Medicine Hat Tigers are setting records. They set their franchise record with 19 consecutive wins. Along the way, Bryce Pickford set the franchise record for goals with a defenceman in a season, as well as the most goals for a WHL defenceman since 1996 – that was in January.
Despite the Tigers’ immense success, it’s actually the Prince Albert Raiders who have the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They ended the Tigers' win streak. They’ve won 14 of their last 15, scoring nearly five-and-a-half goals along the way. After several big trades, they now have three pairs and four lines that can contribute, and look cut above the rest.
Out west, Everett, Penticton, and Prince George remain a cut above the rest, but Kelowna is making up ground, and if they can figure out their powerplay, they could go deep.
At one point, the scoring race was J.P. Hurlbert by a mile. After a 27-game point streak that featured 44 points, Cameron Schmidt sits just three points back. Meanwhile, Liam and Markus Ruck have both gone on heaters and are just seven and eight points back, respectively.
Stock Rising 📈
Bryce Pickford, RD, Medicine Hat Tigers (Montreal Canadiens)
On a full 68-game schedule, Bryce Pickford is pacing for 53 goals, 47 assists, and 100 points. He’s having a season for the ages. He gets to the slot better than many forwards, combining non-stop rush activation, give-and-gos to escape the point, and some clever trickery to dangle around pressure.
All this offence hasn’t come at the cost of anything else. In fact, the rest of Pickford’s game has taken major strides. Once more of a stick-first defender, he’s initiating battles, blowing up the cycle, and knocking opponents to the ice regularly. On breakouts, he's leveraging his offensive skills – deception, passing plays, and patience – to find high-value options instead of throwing pucks away.
Now, Pickford has emerged as one of the WHL’s top prospects. Calibrating his offence to the professional game may still take some time, but he’s successfully developed the rest of his game to the point where he will earn the trust of a coach for more than just his shot.
Markus Ruck, LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers (2026 NHL Draft)
Just as important to Medicine Hat’s heater have been the Ruck twins. Luck has swung in their favour after a slow-ish start. Liam has 22 goals in his last 25 games and 1.88 points per game overall, while Markus has 37 assists and 1.76 points per game over that same time frame. Overall, they’re leading the WHL in scoring with 47 and 44 points, respectively, since November 22nd.
What has been especially encouraging about Markus’ recent play has been his creation skills. He’s always been a skilled passer, but now he’s putting the finisher touches on passing sequences. He’s finding teammates across the slot for chances and faking out defenders at times, while still winning down low battles to start the cycle and initiating passing plays off the rush. Plus, he’s getting more chances for himself lately.
The lack of quickness and size remains a concern for both twins, and Markus especially, but at some point, hockey sense and work rate win out. And each passing week, he seems to rise in our ranking.
Jacob Kvasnicka, RW, Penticton Vees (New York Islanders)
That the Penticton Vees aren’t just in the mix for the playoffs, but the best team in the West remains one of the best storylines in the CHL. This is their first season in the WHL. They have to rely on an expansion draft and recruiting power. This is a team built around size and age, with emphasis on the latter, as they are the oldest team in the league by far.
At the centre of the Vees’ success is Jacob Kvasnicka. He’s on pace for a 92-point season, powered by his 29-point, 16-game current stretch. His high-speed transition has translated, and now it’s bolstered with more of a physical game. He spins off checks down low to start the cycle and routinely get inside, and he’s always looking to crash the net without possession.
A couple of years ago, Kvasnicka wouldn’t have even been in the WHL. The former-NTDP and soon-to-be Minnesota Golden Gopher likely would’ve done a USHL stopover. Now, more and more of these players are headed to the WHL, where their offensive skills are shining even brighter.
Jonah Sivertson, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (2026 NHL Draft)
Since the second half of the season started, Jonah Sivertson has been one of the WHL’s most productive players. His 17 points in 14 games are the 13th-most among CHL DYs, ahead of Ethan Belchetz, Pierce Mbuyi, Jordan Duguay, and more. By even-strength primary points per 60, he’s actually tied with or ahead of the league’s two leading point-getters overall and tied for third among WHL DYs.
On the league’s best team and arguably deepest teams, minutes are hard to come by. But that also means his quality of linemates is higher, which means his playmaking skills are getting fully taken advantage of. While he doesn’t have fast footspeed, he identifies and connects passes instantly, using the trailer, weak side, and middle-lane driver off the rush.
Combine that with a real power element – inside drives, pick plays, and leaning into opponents before cutting back – and it’s clear why he’s a faster riser. He recently ranked 72nd in our top-75, and will likely rise if he keeps this up.
Matthew Gard, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (Philadelphia Flyers)
In 23 games with Red Deer, Matthew Gard had just 10 points. He has 10 in 11 with Seattle. While he certainly earned a better fate production-wise before the trade, it has really helped him reach a new level this season.
Gard does just about everything the right way. He competes hard for loose pucks, safeguards his team defensively, and supports plays every chance he gets. In a more flexible, higher-speed Thunderbirds environment, he’s getting the puck more and subsequently, more opportunities to create. His ability to force turnovers and immediately find a teammate inside is leading to more dangerous looks, too.
Built for next season but still with several top pieces, Seattle will be an interesting team to follow down the stretch. Gard has spent most of his time with Schmidt so far. If the duo lasts, Gard’s production will continue to rise.
Honourable Mentions: Liam Ruck (2026 NHL Draft), Brock England (2027 NHL Draft), Lukas Sawchyn (2025 Undrafted), Max Heise (San Jose Sharks), Joby Baumuller (2025 Undrafted), Alisher Sarkenov (2026 NHL Draft), Parker Alcos (Vancouver Canucks).
Stock Steady ↔️
Braeden Cootes, C, Prince Albert Raiders (Vancouver Canucks)
The Seattle Thunderbirds were more adders than sellers at the trade deadline, adding the league’s second-leading scorer in Schmidt, the aforementioned Gard, and the high-scoring Noah Kosick. Yet, they still shipped out captain Braeden Cootes to Prince Albert, likely feeling the pressure of the new CBA kicking in the fall, which will allow each NHL team to send one 19-year-old CHLer to the AHL. Given Cootes’ three-game NHL stint, that’s a fair bet.
Since the trade, Cootes has done well, roughly holding the line in a new environment. In the very balanced lineup that allows players like Sivertson to shine, it sometimes means that star forwards don’t get as many opportunities to dominate. In that sense, it’s a success. It’d also be nice to see him take control of the game more, especially in transition.
Still, Cootes continues to be a one-man forechecking machine, forcing turnovers, retrieving pucks, and getting them to the middle. He could play a similar role for the Canucks as soon as next season, and projects as a forechecking and playmaking middle-six forward.