Athens Shingoose, Cruz Jim headline standouts from 2025 WHL Cup
The first shift set the tone. Hard passes, harder hits, and the kind of urgency that makes every second feel like a tryout for the future.
That’s the WHL Cup. No time to settle in. No room to hide.
For decades, this tournament has been the proving ground of Western Canada’s best, a launchpad for kids still growing into their gear but already dreaming of the WHL. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan all collide here, giving scouts and fans a glimpse into the game’s future.
This year, Team Manitoba owned it. They didn’t just win, they steamrolled. Five straight victories, a plus-22 goal differential, and a style built on structure and depth more than flash. They didn’t need highlight-reel goals to dominate, just discipline and precision. Their run included a 3-2 overtime nail-biter over Alberta to open the event, then blowouts over Saskatchewan (11-2, 4-2), and two statement wins over BC, capped with a 6-1 thrashing in the gold medal game.
We could name thirty players who turned heads, but we’ve narrowed it down to fifteen who truly stood out, the ones who didn’t just play well but announced themselves as the next wave of Western talent.
Athens Shingoose, W, Team Manitoba
Athens Shingoose was impossible to ignore this past weekend, the engine behind Manitoba’s offense and a constant headache for defenders. By the tournament’s end, he had racked up twelve points in five games and walked away with league MVP honours, a fitting recognition for a player who consistently seems a step ahead of everyone else on the ice.
What makes Shingoose so dangerous is the way he sees the game before it happens. His processing speed allows him to identify lanes, openings, and opportunities that others simply can’t. In transition, he accelerates through gaps with the kind of pace that forces defenders to make choices before they’re ready, and rarely do they choose correctly. He doesn’t just carry the puck; he manipulates defenders with subtle fakes, sharp edges, and sudden changes of pace, consistently turning pressure into opportunity. The kicker? He elevates everyone around him, turning ordinary plays into dangerous scoring chances with the right pass at the right moment.
Even off the puck, Shingoose is quietly influential. He anticipates plays, strips pucks, and instantly shifts momentum, all while keeping control in heavy traffic. His small stature is no obstacle; his agility, mechanics, and ability to read the ice make him exceptionally hard to stop once he’s moving. He thrives in tight spaces, dances around defenders, and rarely loses possession, turning sticky situations into scoring chances.
Shingoose isn’t just a dynamic offensive player; he’s a game-changer. His blend of speed, skill, and hockey IQ makes him a constant threat, capable of dictating the flow of play and making everyone around him better. Watching him on the ice, you see why he was Manitoba’s heartbeat this weekend and why he projects as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in his age group. With Shingoose on the ice, the game is never static; he’s always a step ahead, always in control, and always creating opportunity.
Cruz Jim, D, Team Alberta
Cruz Jim looked like he was playing a different game this past week, dictating play from the back end with a level of composure and confidence rarely seen at this level. Every touch of the puck carried purpose, from smooth retrievals to effortless escapes and precision passing that set the tone for Alberta’s transition game. He finished the tournament with nine points in five games, leading all defensemen in scoring and serving as the backbone of a power play that punished opponents. When Alberta went three-for-four on the man advantage against BC in the first period alone, Jim was at the center of it all, orchestrating each goal with the kind of poise and vision that defines elite offensive defenders.
What separates Jim from his peers is how controlled and deceptive his game is. Under pressure, he doesn’t just move the puck; he manipulates opponents with shoulder fakes, edge shifts, and perfectly timed releases that open lanes where none should exist. His skating mechanics are exceptional, combining fluidity and balance with the ability to explode in any direction. When he walks the blue line, defenders bite, and when he steps up in the rush, he does it with purpose. There’s an effortless quality to how he reads the ice, processes plays, and executes. That calm, surgical style that makes difficult plays look simple.
Jim’s game is built on high-end vision and creativity. Whether firing a pass through traffic or sliding into open ice for a one-timer, he’s constantly creating. His sense of timing and control allows him to command the pace of play, dictating when to slow it down or strike with speed. He’s an offensive facilitator in every sense, the kind of defender who can change the momentum of a game with one shift. With the confidence and polish he’s already showing, it’s easy to see why he stood out as Alberta’s most dynamic blueliner and one of the tournament’s most exciting players to watch.
Holden Wouters, D, Team British Columbia
Holden Wouters doesn’t just defend, he controls his zone with a quiet authority that demands respect. From his first shift, he regularly set the tone with thunderous hits, immediately establishing a physical edge that carries through the game. At 6-foot-2, you expect size and strength, but what separates Wouters is how effortlessly he moves. His skating is mechanically advanced, highlighted by sharp edges, tight cutbacks, and smooth 10-and-2 transitions that let him glide out of pressure and reset play with composure. It’s rare to see a defender that big move with that kind of mobility, and he uses it to stay calm, clean, and in command of every situation.
Defending the rush, Wouters plays with textbook discipline. He keeps his body square, reads the attack early, and angles opponents into low-danger areas with precision. There’s no panic in his game, just calculated decisions and a feel for timing that makes him hard to beat. His stick positioning is elite, and his ability to close gaps and suffocate play in the neutral zone stands out. He doesn’t chase, he controls, dictating where the puck goes next. And when he retrieves it, it’s rarely just a clear, it’s the start of transition, a smooth outlet or an intelligent cutback to open space and relieve pressure.
While Wouters may not be the flashiest player on the ice, he’s one of the most effective. His blend of size, skating, and hockey IQ makes him the kind of defenseman coaches trust in every situation, whether shutting down top lines, killing penalties, or leading a breakout late in a tight game. He’s calm, composed, and consistently reliable, projecting as a long-term minute-eater at the junior level with pro habits already forming. Wouters impacts the game through control and confidence, the kind of defender who makes everyone around him just a little bit more comfortable on the ice.
Louis Oscar Holowaychuk, C/RW, Team British Columbia
Louis Oscar Holowaychuk came into the showcase with sky-high expectations, and somehow exceeded them. Every shift carried energy and intent; his skating mechanics crisp and explosive, his puck control effortless in motion. At 5’9, he doesn’t just play fast, he thinks fast, processing the ice at a level that keeps defenders guessing. Whether attacking off the rush or weaving through pressure in tight quarters, Holowaychuk blends elite hands with a lightning-quick release that makes him a dual threat from anywhere in the offensive zone. There’s a constant sense of danger when he’s on the ice, the feeling that something is about to happen, and usually, it does.
What separates Holowaychuk isn’t just his skill, but how he weaponizes it to create for others. He doesn’t force plays; he engineers them, using quick shoulder fakes, sharp cutbacks, and deceptive edges to open up lanes that shouldn’t exist. His vision and timing are exceptional; he finds teammates through traffic, creates give-and-go sequences on the fly, and dictates the tempo like a true offensive driver. His ability to shift from shooter to playmaker in an instant made him nearly impossible to contain, and his on-puck confidence radiated throughout every offensive sequence.
For all the finesse, there's a bite to his game too. Holowaychuk’s forechecking presence was relentless, using leverage and stick pressure to strip defenders and immediately turn possession into offense. One of British Columbia’s prettiest goals of the weekend came directly off his effort to steal the puck from the defensemen, rush for a 2-on-1 and make no mistake passing to his open teammate. It’s that blend of skill, speed, and compete that defines him, a creative force who makes his teammates better, drives play in all three zones, and looks every bit the part of a top-end forward with next-level offensive instincts.
Crosby Mateychuk, LD, Team Manitoba
Crosby Mateychuk’s tournament was a fascinating showcase of maturity and adaptability. Known for his high-octane style and ability to take over games with pace, he instead leaned into a composed, calculated rhythm, and still managed to stand out. The 6-foot defenseman played with a level of control that exuded confidence, picking apart forechecks with crisp first passes and maintaining calm under pressure. His edgework and stride mechanics are elite, allowing him to glide through layers of pressure and create outlets where none seem available. Every touch of the puck looked deliberate, every read premeditated, as if he were two steps ahead of the game.
While he’s capable of highlight-reel rushes, this week was more about refinement. Mateychuk was surgical in transition, never forcing plays, and his puck management was nearly flawless. You’d be hard-pressed to find a turnover off his stick all tournament. He used his physical strength to his advantage, defending the rush with muscle and control, pinning opponents along the wall and dictating battles in the defensive zone. When the moment called for it, he had no hesitation jumping into the play, firing crisp passes through seams or letting his low, heavy point shot generate rebounds and chaos around the net.
By the end of the week, Mateychuk had quietly posted seven points in five games, tied for fourth in scoring and second among all defensemen. But the production only told half the story. What really stood out was his evolution, the ability to shift from dynamic creator to poised stabilizer without losing his identity. It’s that versatility, paired with his mechanical polish and hockey IQ, that cements Mateychuk as one of the most reliable and intriguing two-way defenders in his class.
Reid Nicol, C, Team Manitoba
Reid Nicol looked every bit the part of a dominant, physically mature center who could control a game without ever needing to force it. At 6-foot-2, he brought a rare blend of strength, balance, and intelligence, dictating play through presence alone. Whether shielding defenders off the puck, battling along the wall, or driving the net front, Nicol used his size and leverage to win tough areas of the ice. His forechecking pressure was constant and calculated, turning routine retrievals into chaos for opposing defenders. Even in tight, he displayed soft hands and composure, turning second chances into controlled scoring opportunities.
What stood out most was how calm and polished his game looked. Nicol didn’t need flash to dominate; he just out-thought and out-muscled opponents. His reads in transition were sharp, executing subtle deflections, short touch passes, and smart puck placements that kept plays alive. His release is quick and heavy, highlighted by a goal off the bar and in that perfectly encapsulated his blend of timing and precision. There’s a fluidity in how he moves for a player his size, with edges clean enough to navigate pressure and open up lanes for his linemates.
Defensively, Nicol was just as reliable. He tracked back deep into his zone, used his long reach to disrupt passing lanes, and took away the middle of the ice with textbook positioning. He consistently handled key matchups and still found ways to impact offensively, finishing third in tournament scoring with eight points in five games. It was the kind of performance that showed both maturity and upside, the mark of a player who already understands how to drive play at both ends and elevate those around him. It’s easy to see a long WHL career in Nicol’s future.
Justin Moon, RW, Team British Columbia
Justin Moon entered the WHL Cup as a bit of an unknown, but by the end of the week, there was no mistaking his impact. Selected 124th overall by Tri-City, he played like someone determined to prove he should’ve gone much higher. Every shift carried energy and intent. He was relentless in motion, hounding defenders on the forecheck, tracking back hard on the backcheck, and exploding through transition with pace that few could match. His skating was electric, built on clean mechanics and constant drive, allowing him to dictate tempo and force plays open through sheer speed and determination.
Offensively, Moon showed layers to his game. He displayed the skill to beat defenders one-on-one, using slick hands and deceptive puck control to create chances out of nothing. His goal-scoring touch was evident, from a composed breakaway finish to a perfectly placed shot on the penalty kill that turned defense into offense in an instant. He moved with confidence, scanning constantly and using clever give-and-go sequences to draw defenders and free teammates. While not the flashiest forward on the ice, his decisions were quick, his execution sharp, and his ability to create momentum stood out.
Moon’s consistency made him invaluable. He worked tirelessly along the boards, executed clean zone exits under pressure, and attacked space with precision. His compete level never dipped; every shift was played with purpose. By the end of the tournament, he led Team BC in scoring with six points, tying Louis Oscar Holowaychuk, and earned a well-deserved spot on the WHL’s tournament All-Star lineup. It was a performance that turned heads, proving Justin Moon isn’t just a spark plug; he’s a legitimate difference-maker with speed, smarts, and an unwavering motor.
Kalen Miles, C, Team Alberta
Kalen Miles made his presence felt every time he stepped on the ice, blending size, strength, and smart decision-making into a complete center’s performance. At 6-foot-2, he uses his frame to control space along the boards, in the slot, and in front of the net, consistently establishing himself as a high-danger presence. Miles is effective at winning puck battles, finishing checks, and pinning defenders, turning ordinary plays into scoring opportunities. His forechecking and backchecking are equally impressive, with a relentless motor and active stick that disrupts opponents and forces turnovers.
Offensively, Miles is calm and composed under pressure. His hands in tight are exceptional, whether redirecting a point shot, tipping a rebound, or navigating traffic to make a subtle, high-percentage play. He is particularly dangerous on the power play, using his size to create lanes and screen the goalie while keeping defenders on edge. His release is quick and accurate, his vision sharp, and his ability to maintain possession under pressure allows him to drive play for himself and his teammates.
By the end of the tournament, Miles had tallied seven points in five games, earning a well-deserved spot on the WHL tournament All-Star lineup. What stands out most is his combination of physical tools and hockey sense, a player who coaches trust in every situation, capable of anchoring a bottom-six role while flashing glimpses of top-six potential. Miles projects as a reliable, impactful center who can dominate in tight spaces, finish plays in high-danger areas, and consistently make his presence felt at both ends of the ice.
Cole Landreville, C, Team Manitoba
Cole Landreville quietly stood out throughout the tournament, not through flash or brute force, but through sheer hockey intelligence. Landreville reads the game at an elite level, consistently anticipating plays before they happen and slipping into soft ice unnoticed. He has a knack for finding lanes that shouldn’t exist, sneaking behind defenders like a thief, and striking at the perfect moment. Landreville pressures the puck with purpose, using his stick and feet to regain possession, but his true weapon is the mind behind the movement, always thinking two steps ahead, always creating space for himself and his teammates.
Take a look at an excerpt from his game against Alberta, highlighting his offensive impact:
Offensively, he was a consistent threat, breaking free around defenders, retrieving passes, and finishing with precise forehand-backhand moves, including two top-shelf goals. Landreville doesn’t quit at the net, consistently digging for rebounds and second-chance opportunities. His combination of skill, work ethic, and scoring instinct makes him a true game-changer every time he’s on the ice.
By the end of the tournament, Landreville’s influence was unmistakable. He finished with multiple high-danger goals and key assists, driving play in ways that statistics only partly capture. Coaches and teammates could rely on his vision, awareness, and poise in critical moments. Cole Landreville is the kind of cerebral forward who changes the flow of a game not by overpowering opponents but by outthinking them, making everyone around him better, and striking precisely when they least expect it.
Ahmad Fayad, W, Team Alberta
Ahmad Fayad made his presence felt every time he stepped on the ice, blending poise, vision, and skill in a way that consistently influenced play. The Alberta winger reads the game at a high level, constantly anticipating movements and positioning himself to make the smart play. Fayad thrives in tight areas, using quick hands and clean edgework to navigate traffic and maintain control under pressure. He pressures defenders effectively, forcing turnovers and keeping plays alive, showing a maturity in decision-making that belies his age.
Offensively, Fayad is a natural playmaker. He has a remarkable ability to find teammates in advantageous positions, often threading passes through traffic or off the boards to create high-danger opportunities. He can turn a broken play into an immediate scoring chance, displaying both timing and creativity. Fayad’s puck movement and quick thinking make him a constant threat, as he consistently opens lanes and elevates the play of those around him.
By the end of the tournament, Fayad had recorded five points in five games, including two goals, proving his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He is the type of winger who shapes the flow of the game, combining intelligence, skill, and competitiveness to make himself and his teammates better. Ahmad Fayad’s combination of vision, awareness, and creativity makes him a dynamic, cerebral presence on the ice and a player to watch as he continues to develop.
Mateo Ferreira, LD, Team Manitoba
Mateo Ferreira made a strong impression throughout the tournament, combining confidence, mobility, and intelligence on the blue line. The Manitoba defenseman reads the game at a high level, timing his jumps into the rush and pinches in the neutral zone to maximize offensive opportunities without overcommitting. Ferreira’s skating is a standout; smooth crossovers, dynamic edges, and explosive transitions allow him to evade pressure and consistently find open ice. He moves the puck with purpose, using crisp first passes and occasional stretch feeds to spring teammates into scoring positions.
Offensively, Ferreira is a calculated threat. He knows when to jump into the play, creating lanes for himself and others, while keeping his positioning sound. He can execute smooth stride dekes under pressure, open passing lanes, and support teammates on the rush with precision. On the power play, he showcased the ability to carry the puck with speed and confidence, finishing with flair while maintaining control. Every action is deliberate, reflecting a defender who sees the ice clearly and anticipates both the play and the opponent’s response.
Defensively, Ferreira combines physical intelligence with composure. He uses his body effectively along the wall, positions himself to cut off dangerous angles, and wins puck battles while maintaining poise. Even when he takes risks to join the rush, he does so with awareness, ensuring his team remains balanced. Mateo Ferreira’s blend of speed, hockey sense, and confidence makes him a dynamic, modern puck-moving defenseman who can drive play and create offense without sacrificing responsibility, leaving a tangible impact every time he steps on the ice.
Christopher Kokkoris, RD, Team British Columbia
Christopher Kokkoris immediately stood out as a commanding presence on the blue line, combining elite size with surprising agility and puck skill. At 6-foot-6, he uses his reach and frame to dominate battles, intercept passes, and disrupt opposing forwards. Kokkoris is physically imposing without sacrificing mobility, showing smooth edgework and the ability to maneuver through traffic with confidence. He reads plays well, positioning himself to cut off lanes while using his size to protect the high-danger areas.
Offensively, Kokkoris is more than just a towering body. He handles the puck with poise, making crisp first passes under pressure and using clever dekes to evade forecheckers. His point shot is accurate and hard, generating scoring chances and keeping defenders on their toes. Even while joining the rush, Kokkoris maintains awareness and control, balancing aggression with smart decision-making.
Defensively, he consistently demonstrates both reliability and effort. He dives to block dangerous scoring chances, wins critical puck battles, and uses his body and reach to suffocate opponents. While still refining his play-reading instincts and limiting his eagerness to play physically, Kokkoris already projects as a dominant, minute-eating defenseman with the skill, size, and intelligence to impact the game at both ends of the ice.
Ben Oliverio, C, Team Alberta
Ben Oliverio was the heartbeat of Alberta’s offense, driving play with speed, confidence, and high-end skill. From the first puck drop, his skating was explosive, smooth, and impossible to contain when he built momentum through the neutral zone. He consistently created separation with sharp edgework and deceptive hands, attacking through the middle with purpose. Whether it was a slick through-the-legs deke, a perfectly timed backhand feed, or a toe-drag release through traffic, Oliverio always seemed to have a counter ready for whatever defenders threw at him.
What truly set Oliverio apart, though, was his ability to think the game at full speed. He anticipated plays before they developed, reading coverage and creating space where none existed. His zone exits were clean, his entries deliberate, and his passes purposeful. Every touch of the puck had intent. Even without it, he stayed engaged, supporting plays in motion and dictating pace through smart positioning. By the end of the tournament, it was clear: Oliverio wasn’t just fast, he was composed and calculated, a dynamic play-driver who elevated those around him and proved to be one of Alberta’s most reliable offensive catalysts.
Anderson Reschny, RD, Team Saskatchewan
Anderson Reschny was the clear standout for Saskatchewan, a poised and intelligent defender who carried the weight of his team with confidence and consistency. Though undersized, he played far bigger than his frame, controlling pace through anticipation, refined rush defense, and elite stick placement. Rarely caught out of position, Reschny forced attackers wide, broke up entries cleanly, and turned defense into quick transition offense with sharp, accurate first passes. His reads under pressure were exceptional, showing maturity in knowing when to activate and when to hold the line, always a step ahead of the play.
What truly defined his game was the quiet control he exerted in every shift. He used subtle edgework to escape forecheckers, deceptive hands to open lanes, and a calm presence that settled the play for those around him. In a tournament full of flash and size, Reschny thrived on intelligence and composure. He was the backbone of Saskatchewan’s defense core, a player whose impact came not from highlight moments but from the countless little plays that dictated tempo and steadied the game.
Sean Murphy, RD, Team British Columbia
Sean Murphy was a standout from the blue line for British Columbia, finishing the tournament with four points in five games, including a three-point performance in one game against Saskatchewan. His skating mechanics are smooth and efficient, using precise 10-and-2 strides to navigate the point and transition quickly through the neutral zone. Defensively, Murphy reads the rush exceptionally well, closes off opponents along the wall, and uses his stick intelligently to disrupt plays. Offensively, he contributes with crisp first passes and a strong, accurate point shot that consistently generates scoring opportunities. His combination of poise, positioning, and hockey sense made him a reliable and impactful presence all tournament.
Though smaller at 5-foot-8, Murphy leverages his intelligence and awareness to compete at a high level. He uses his frame and reach to shepherd attackers to low-danger areas, while his high-end skating allows him to maneuver seamlessly in all three zones. His first pass is crisp and dependable, and he consistently makes smart decisions under pressure. From the opening game to the gold medal final, Murphy proved to be a defenseman coaches can trust in every situation.
Honourable Mentions:
Linden Abercrombie (Saskatchewan), Jake Beaty (Manitoba), Teagen Bouchard (Alberta), Owen Conrad (Manitoba), Jaxon Dean (Manitoba), Kash Elke (Saskatchewan), Brady Filmon (Manitoba), Noah Fowler (British Columbia), Chace Gregg (Manitoba), Brook Haile (Alberta), Logan Henry (British Columbia), Will Kelts (Alberta), Michael Kuzik (British Columbia), Thor Liffiton (Alberta), Ethan Mah (British Columbia), Tanner Massey (British Columbia), Dax McDougall (Saskatchewan), Braden Nowoselski (Saskatchewan), Cohenn Rotar (Alberta), Dylan Russell (Manitoba), Hunter Saddleback (Alberta), Talon Scinocca (Manitoba), Jakob Schmidt (Saskatchewan), Chace Turchak (Alberta), Trevor Toyne (Manitoba), Nicholas Voinea (British Columbia), Carter Wiggins (Saskatchewan), Nolan Wolitski (Alberta)