WHL Stock Watch: Tij Iginla cements status as league's best
The playoffs are just around the corner, and the scoring race is down to four players: Markus Ruck (88), Cameron Schmidt (87), J.P. Hurlbert (86), and Liam Ruck (86).
The Ruck twins are surely the favourites, having caught fire at around 1.65 points per game since 2026 began, while Schmidt and Hurlbert’s scoring rates have both slowed substantially – what a story that would be.
Meanwhile, the playoff picture has taken shape, but there’s one major surprise: The Spokane Chiefs sit comfortably at No. 5 in the West. Since revamping their team, which included shipping out star forward Mathis Preston, they’re 13-8, scoring an additional half-a-goal per game, their power play has jumped from 11 to 18.3% – and they’ve won six straight at the best time of year to get hot.
Atop the west Everett Silvertips – the first CHL team to hit 100 points this year. They’ve won 22 of their last 24 games, powered by the best line in junior hockey: Carter Bear (Detroit Red Wings), Julius Miettinen (Seattle Kraken), and Matias Vanhanen (2025 Undrafted). Since February 1st, they’ve combined for 32 goals and 42 assists in just 13 games.
The best player in the WHL right now – or even the CHL – is Tij Iginla, who is far-and-away the point-per-game leader in the league. Plus, there are a couple of stars emerging in the league: Noah Davidson and the No. 1 overall pick, Maddox Schultz.
Stock Rising 📈
Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna Rockets (Utah Mammoth)
The CHL’s point-per-game leader is Tij Iginla, who just last year had his season ended by double hip surgery, and then suffered another in training camp. That, in itself, is an incredible feat. It’s made more impressive by the fact that Iginla has reached the pinnacle of scoring in the CHL while making the full-time switch to centre, rounding out his game, and improving its efficiency.
Iginla has long been a highlight-reel machine with standout puck-winning abilities, but the move to centre has opened up even more puck touches for him. Now, he’s collecting pucks inside space, instead of having to create it himself. Rush chances are even more frequent. His playmaking has become every bit as impactful and skilled as his goal-scoring ability. Along the walls, there’s no one better in the league at absorbing contact and setting up chances. All this while the needless 1-on-1s and sloppy turnovers have decreased.
Plus, Iginla’s defence has improved and he's even a plus in the faceoff dot. He looks on the cusp of NHL-readiness, if he’s not already. He has the tools required to both play centre in the NHL and become a top-six, or even top-line scorer.
Carter Bear, LW, Everett Silvertips (Detroit Red Wings)
Since scoring just 12 points in his 15 games, Carter Bear has been the league’s second-hottest player, amassing 54 in the subsequent 31 games. 17 of those have been multi-point efforts. He’s had a staggering nine games with at least three points, and just five with none.
All the usual superlatives about work rate, battle level, etc., apply to Bear’s hot stretch, but it’s bolstered by his even more offensive creativity. He’s a puck-winning and playmaking machine, instantly creating offence after stealing possession, and his shot looks even more dangerous. He’s turning seemingly impossible passes into one-timers, while starting and finishing some of the best passing plays you’ll see at any level.
If Everett’s to finally break through in the playoffs, it’ll be their big line, driven by Bear, that does it. Long-term, he continues to project as a potential top-six winger and fan favourite in the NHL.
Noah Davidson, LW/C, Medicine Hat Tigers (2027 NHL Draft)
Noah Davidson has been one of the most consistent producers among 2027 draft eligibles around, having produced a point per game since late-November. Now, he’s found a whole other level: 12 goals and six assists in his last 12 games. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s spent lots of time centring the Ruck twins, but the power forward prospect looks even more dynamic and more versatile than before.
Part net-front scorer and part-dynamic carrier, Davidson can fill any role offensively. His recent hat trick in Edmonton was a great example of his net-front skills, scoring the first with a battle in tight, the second baseball style off his backhand, and the third with a drop-knee backdoor finish.
Then, there’s the skill, featuring smooth pass receptions at speed, high-speed crossover attacks, 1-on-1 moves, and an impressive ability to get off the wall. In Davidson's very nights, he's the driving force on his line, carrying the puck through the neutral zone, firing or setting up a teammate, and becoming a down-low, puck-retrieving threat.
The early returns suggest we’ll be hearing a lot about Davidson for the next two years and beyond. He looks like a potential first-round pick.
Maddox Schultz, C, Regina Pats (2028 NHL Draft)
In Maddox Schultz’s last 19 WHL games, he has 19 points. Remember: He’s not even eligible to be a full-time player in the league! Powering that run has been a hot stretch that has included four multi-point games and a hat trick. Here’s an excerpt of our report from that historic game:
“A hat trick, including the game-tying goal with 18 seconds left and a highlight-reel overtime winner. In overtime, he worked across the slot while fending off Zac Olsen, faked a quick play up the walls before driving low, shielding the puck, and cutting across the crease and shelfing the puck. That was one of many, many impressive displays of physical skills from Schultz. He uses every limb possible to protect the puck, steps into opponents’ space to intercept them with his back, wins down-low battles, and digs under sticks proactively. Add in the powerful strides and crossovers, and he looks like a WHL veteran already.”
It’s still early, but Schultz looks like he’s going to be an elite player in the league, as soon as next season. For now, he’ll continue to be both a key part of two different playoff runs: The WHL’s Regina Pats and the SMAAAHL’s Regina Pat Canadians, whom he led to a Telus Cup (National U18 Championship) last year.
Honourable Mentions: Chase Harrington (2026 NHL Draft), Owen Martin (Winnipeg Jets), Julius Miettinen (Seattle Kraken), Kale Dach (Pittsburgh Penguins), Carter Sotheran (Free Agent), Zach Olsen (2026 NHL Draft).
Stock Falling 📉
Adam Jecho, RW/C, Edmonton Oil Kings (St. Louis Blues)
On a high-powered Edmonton Oil Kings, it’s been tough for Adam Jecho to find momentum. Just as he started to get hot in November and December, injury struck and forced him to miss the World Juniors. His production has taken a tumble, from 0.95 to 0.77 points per game.
Jecho has the tools to be a big producer in the WHL, but the biggest worry this season has been the lack of puck-winning skills. After making some inroads last year, throwing more hits, initiating contact with his body, and leveraging his frame to protect the puck, he’s reverted back to the same outside, stick-only style that hindered his game two years ago.
Still, it’s far from all bad. Sure, Jecho’s production has dropped, but his even-strength production has risen from 0.38 to 0.7 this season. There have been some strong games and terrific flashes. If he can finally take that next step, Edmonton could enjoy a very deep playoff run.