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Thursday, February 2, 2012

WHL Grads Dominate NHL Rosters




The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 20 percent of all players who have played in the National Hockey League through the first half of the 2011-12 season are graduates of the WHL.

Of the 881 players who had played at least one game in the NHL as of January, 172 are graduates of the WHL.

In addition to the 172 players, there are 40 WHL graduates currently on the coaching staff of NHL clubs, and another 29 WHL graduates who currently occupy key management positions with NHL clubs.

The Minnesota Wild lead all NHL Clubs with 12 WHL Alumni having suited up for at least one NHL game. The Phoenix Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames each have seen 11 WHL grads suit up for at least one game this season, while the Edmonton Oilers boast 10 WHL grads.

All 30 teams in the NHL have at least one WHL grad who have played in the NHL this season.

The Western Hockey League continues to be a leader in developing NHL-caliber players, while also offering a World Class scholarship to every graduating player.

The following is a breakdown of WHL Alumni who have played in the NHL this season, or who are currently with NHL clubs in coaching or management positions:

ANAHEIM DUCKS
Name, Birthplace, WHL Club(s) in brackets (c-indicates WHL coach, ac - indicates assistant coach)
* indicates currently playing in WHL

Players
Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, SK (Calgary Hitmen)
Ben Maxwell, North Vancouver, B.C. (Kootenay Ice)
Brandon McMillan, Delta, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)
Luca Sbisa, Oberageri, SUI (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Brad Lauer, Humboldt, SK (Regina Pats, Kootenay Ice-ac)
Pete Peeters, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)


BOSTON BRUINS

Players
Johnny Boychuk, Edmonto , AB (Calgary Hitmen, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Zdeno Chara, Trencin, SVK (Prince George Cougars)
Andrew Ference, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)
Zach Hamill, Port Coquitlam, B.C. (Everett Silvertips
Milan Lucic, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Doug Houda, Blairmore, AB (Calgary Wranglers, Medicine Hat Tigers)

Management
Asst. General Manager Jim Benning, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)
Dir. Player Personnel Scott Bradley, Abbotsford, B.C. (Seattle Thunderbirds-scout)
President and Alt. Governor Cam Neely, Comox, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks)

BUFFALO SABRES

Players
Tyler Ennis, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Paul Gaustad, Fargo, ND (Portland Winter Hawks)
Brayden McNabb, Davidson, SK (Kootenay Ice)
Tyler Myers, DeWinton, AB (Kelowna Rockets)
Robyn Regehr, Recife, BRA (Kamloops Blazers)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Lindy Ruff, Warburg, AB (Lethbridge Broncos)

Management
Darcy Regier, Swift Current, SK, (Lethbridge Broncos)

CALGARY FLAMES

Players
Mikael Backlund, Vasteras, SWE (Kelowna Rockets)
Lance Bouma, Provost, AB (Vancouver Giants)
Jay Bouwmeester, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Tat Tigers)
Brett Carson, Regina, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors, Calgary Hitmen)
Blake Comeau, Meadow Lake, SK (Kelowna Rockets)
Scott Hannan, Richmond, B.C. (Tacoma/Kelowna Rockets)
Roman Horak, Ceske, Budejovice, CZ (Chilliwack Bruins)
Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, AB (Kamloops Blazers)
Leland Irving, Swan Hills, AB (Everett Silvertips)
Blair Jones, Central Butte, SK (Red Deer Rebels, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Cory Sarich, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Brent Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos, Red Deer Rebels-c)
Asst. Coach Craig Hartsburg, Stratford, ON (Everett Silvertips-c)
Asst. Coach Dave Lowry, Sudbury, ON (Calgary Hitmen-c)
Goaltender Coach Clint Malarchuk, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)


CAROLINA HURRICANES

Players
Brian Boucher, Woonsocket, RI (Tri-City Americans)
Drayson Bowman, Littleton, CO (Spokane Chiefs)
Zach Boychuk, Airdrie, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Brandon Sutter, Sylvan Lake, AB (Red Deer Rebels)
Brett Sutter, Calgary, AB (Kootenay Ice, Red Deer Rebels)
Cam Ward, Saskatoon, SK (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff
Dave Lewis, Kindersley, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

Management
Dir. Defenseman Development Glen Wesley, Red Deer, AB (Portland Winter Hawks)

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Players
Marian Hossa, Stara Lubvona, CZE (Portland Winter Hawks)
Duncan Keith, Winnipeg, MB (Kelowna Rockets)
Brent Seabrook, Richmond, B.C. (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Players
Stefan Elliott, North Vancouver, B.C. (Saskatoon Blades)
T.J. Galiardi, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)
Chuck Kobasew, Vancouver, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)
Cody McLeod, Binscarth, MB (Portland Winter Hawks)
Peter Mueller, Bloomington, MN (Everett Silvertips)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Adam Deadmarsh, Trail, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks)

Management
Executive Advisor/Alt. Governor Joe Sakic, Burnaby, B.C. (Swift Current Broncos)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Players
Matt Calvert, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Derek Dorsett, Kindersley, SK (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Colton Gillies, White Rock, B.C. (Saskatoon Blades)
Ryan Johansen, Port Moody, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks)
Ryan Russell, Caroline, AB (Kootenay Ice)

Coaching Staff
Dir. Amateur Scouting & Dev. Coach Tyler Wright, Canora, SK (Swift Current Broncos)

DALLAS STARS

Players
Jamie Benn, Victoria, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets )
Vernon Fiddler, Edmonton, AB (Kelowna Rockets, Medicine Hat Tigers)
Mark Fistric, Edmonton, AB (Vancouver Giants)
Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, SK (Portland Winter Hawks)
Sheldon Souray, Elk Point, AB (Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars, Kelowna Rockets)
Tomas Vincour, Brno, CZE (Edmonton Oil Kings)

Coaching Staff
Glen Gulutzan, The Pas, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings, Saskatoon Blades)
Willie Desjardins, Climax, SK (Lethbridge Broncos, Saskatoon Blades-c, Medicine Hat Tigers-c)

Management
Co-G.M Les Jackson, Manning, AB (Estevan/NWM Bruins, Great Falls Americans-c, Brandon Wheat Kings-c)
Hockey Ops. Consultant Stu Barnes, Spruce Grove, AB (New Westminster Bruins, Tri-City Americans)

DETROIT RED WINGS

Players
Darren Helm, St. Andrews, MB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Brad Stuart, Rocky Mountain House, AB (Regina Pats, Calgary Hitmen)
Ian White, Steinbach, MB (Swift Current Broncos)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Mike Babcock, Manitouwadge, ON (Saskatoon Blades, Kelowna Wings, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Spokane Chiefs-c)
Asst. Coach Bill Peters, Three Hills, AB (Spokane Chiefs-c)
Goaltending Dev. Coach Chris Osgood, Peace River, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Seattle Thunderbirds)

Management
General Manager Ken Holland, Vernon, B.C. (Medicine Hat Tigers)
V.P/Asst. General Manager Jim Nill, Hanna, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers )

EDMONTON OILERS

Players
Cam Barker, Winnipeg, MB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Devan Dubnyk, Regina, SK (Kamloops Blazers)
Jordan Eberle, Regina, SK (Regina Pats)
Josh Green, Camrose, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Swift Current Broncos, Portland Winterhawks)
Darcy Hordichuk, Kamsack, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Calgary Hitmen)
Milan Kytnar, Topolcany, SVK (Kelowna Rockets, Saskatoon Blades, Vancouver Giants)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Burnaby, B.C. (Red Deer Rebels)
Alex Plante, Brandon, MB (Calgary Hitmen)
Ryan Smyth, Banff, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Colten Teubert, White Rock, B.C. (Regina Pats)

Coaching Staff
Associate Coach Tom Renney, Cranbrook, B.C. (Kamloops Blazers-c)
Asst. Coach Kelly Buchberger, Langenburg, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors)

Management
General Manager Steve Tambellini, Trail, B.C. (Lethbridge Broncos)
Dir. Player Development Mike Sillinger, Regina, SK (Regina Pats)
Coordinator, Player Development Bill Moores (Edmonton Oil Kings, Regina Pats-c)

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Players
Keaton Ellerby, Calgary, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Tomas Fleischmann, Koprivnice, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Tomas Kopecky, Ilava, SVK (Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Michal Repik, Vlasim, CZE (Vancouver Giants)
Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray, AB (Kamloops Blazers)
Kris Versteeg, Lethbridge, AB (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers, Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff
Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas, Edmonton, AB (Seattle Thunderbirds)

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Players
Colin Fraser, Sicamous, B.C. (Red Deer Rebels)
Trent Hunter, Red Deer, AB (Prince George Cougars)
Jarret Stoll, Melville, SK (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Darryl Sutter, Viking, AB (Lethbridge Broncos)
Goaltending Coach Bill Ranford, Brandon, MB (New Westminster Bruins)
Dir. Goaltender Development Kim Dillabaugh (Kelowna Rockets, Calgary Hitmen, Kelowna Rockets-c)

Management
Asst. General Manager Ron Hextall, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)

MINNESOTA WILD

Players
Cody Almond, Calgary, AB (Kelowna Rockets)
Kyle Brodziak, St. Paul, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)
*Brett Bulmer, Prince George, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)
Justin Falk, Snowflake, MB (Calgary Hitmen, Spokane Chiefs)
Josh Harding, Regina, SK (Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings)
Matt Kassian, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Vancouver Giants)
Carson McMillan, Brandon, MB (Calgary Hitmen)
Warren Peters, Saskatoon, SK (Saskatoon Blades)
Nick Schultz, Strasbourg, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)
Devin Setoguchi, Taber, AB (Saskatoon Blades, Prince George Cougars)
Jared Spurgeon, Edmonton, AB (Spokane Chiefs)
Clayton Stoner, Port McNeill, B.C. (Tri-City Americans )

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Rick Wilson, Prince Albert, SK (Prince Albert Raiders-c)
Asst. Coach Darryl Sydor, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Players
Scott Gomez, Anchorage, AK (Tri-City Americans)
Josh Gorges, Kelowna, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)
Travis Moen, Swift Current, SK (Kelowna Rockets)
Carey Price, Williams Lake, B.C. (Tri-City Americans)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Players
Jonathon Blum, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Vancouver Giants)
Martin Erat, Krnov, CZE (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels)
Jerred Smithson, Vernon, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)
Jordin Tootoo, Churchill, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Kelowna Rockets)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Barry Trotz, Winnipeg, MB (Regina Pats)
Asst. Coach Lane Lambert, Swift Current, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Moose Jaw Warriors-c, Prince George Cougars-c)

Management
Advisor, Hockey Ops. Brent Peterson, Calgary, AB (Edmonton Oil King, Portland Winter Hawks, Portland Winter Hawks-c)

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Players
Bryce Salvador, Brandon, MB (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Dave Barr, Toronto, ON (Billings Bighorns, Edmonton Oil Kings, Great Falls Americans, Portland Winterhawks, Lethbridge Broncos)


NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Players
Michael Grabner, Villach, AUT (Spokane Chiefs)
Travis Hamonic, St. Malo, MB (Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings)
Nino Niederreiter, Chur, SUI (Portland Winterhawks)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Dean Chynoweth, Calgary, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Seattle Thunderbirds-c, Swift Current Broncos-c/GM)

NEW YORK RANGERS

Players
Erik Christensen, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers, Brandon Wheat Kings)
Brandon Dubinsky, Anchorage, AK (Portland Winter Hawks)
Michael Sauer, St. Cloud, MN (Portland Winterhawks, Medicine Hat Tigers)
Jeff Woywitka, Vermillion, AB (Red Deer Rebels)

Management
Special Asst. to President Mark Messier, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)

OTTAWA SENATORS

Players
Jared Cowen, Allan, SK (Spokane Chiefs)
Chris Phillips, Calgary, AB (Prince Albert Raiders, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Zack Smith, Maple Creek, SK (Swift Current Broncos)

Management
General Manager Bryan Murray, Shawille, QC (Regina Pats-c)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Players
Braydon Coburn, Shaunavon, SK (Portland Winter Hawks)
Scott Hartnell, Regina, SK (Prince Albert Raiders)
Andrej Meszaros, Povazska Bystrica, SVK (Vancouver Giants)
Brayden Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Matt Walker, Beaverlodge, AB (Portland Winter Hawks, Kootenay Ice)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Craig Berube, Calahoo, AB (NWM Bruins, Kamloops Jr. Oilers/Blazers, Medicine Hat Tigers)
Asst. Coach Kevin McCarthy, Winnipeg, MB (Winnipeg Monarchs/Clubs)

Management
Sr. Vice President Bob Clarke, Flin Flon, MB (Flin Flon Bombers)
Asst. General Manager John Paddock, Brandon, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Dir. Player Personnel Dave Brown, Saskatoon, SK (Spokane Flyers, Saskatoon Blades)

PHOENIX COYOTES

Players
Gilbert Brule, Edmonton, AB (Vancouver Giants)
Kyle Chipchura, Vimy, AB (Prince Albert Raiders)
Shane Doan, Halkirk, AB (Kamloops Blazers)
Boyd Gordon, Unity, AS (Red Deer Rebels)
Martin Hanzal, Pisek, CZE (Red Deer Rebels)
Jason LaBarbera, Burnaby, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks, Tri-City Americans)
Daymond Langkow, Edmonton, AB (Tri-City Americans)
Derek Morris, Edmonton, AB (Regina Pats)
Michal Rozsival, Vlasim, CZE (Swift Current Broncos)
David Schlemko, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Ray Whitney, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Spokane Chiefs)

Coaching Staff
Development Coach Dave King, North Battleford, SK (Billings Bighorns-c)
Associate Coach Jim Playfair, Ft. St. James, B.C. (Portland Winterhawks, Calgary Wranglers

Management
Asst. General Manager Brad Treliving, Penticton, B.C. (Portland Winter Hawks, Brandon Wheat Kings, Spokane Chiefs, Regina Pats)
Dir. Goaltending Development Grant Fuhr, Spruce Grove, AB (Victoria Cougars)
Dir. Amateur Scouting Rick Knickle, Dartmouth, NS (Brandon Wheat Kings)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Players
Aaron Asham, Portage La Prairie, MB (Red Deer Rebels)
Deryk Engelland, Edmonton, AB (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Steve MacIntyre, Brock, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Red Deer Rebels, Prince Albert Raiders)

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Players
Patrick Marleau, Aneroid, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Frazer McLaren, Winnipeg, MB (Portland Winterhawks, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jim Vandermeer, Caroline, AB (Red Deer Rebels)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Todd McLellan, Melville, SK (Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos-c)
Goaltending Development Coach Corey Schwab, North Battleford, SK (Seattle Thunderbirds)

ST. LOUIS BLUES

Players
Adam Cracknell, Prince Albert, SK (Kootenay Ice)
Barret Jackman, Trail, B.C. (Regina Pats)
Scott Nichol, Edmonton, AB (Portland Winterhawks)
Roman Polak, Ostrava, CZE (Kootenay Ice)
Ryan Reaves, Winnipeg, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Kris Russell, Red Deer, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)

Coaching Staff
Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, Edmonton, AB (Kamloops Blazers-c)
Goaltending Consultant Corey Hirsch, Medicine Hat, AB (Kamloops Blazers)

Management
Pres. of Hockey Operations John Davidson, Ottawa, ON (Calgary Centennials)

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Players
Eric Brewer, Vernon, B.C. (Prince George Cougars)
Brett Connolly, Prince George, B.C. (Prince George Cougars
Pavel Kubina, Celadna, CZE (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Brendan Mikkelson, Regina, SK (Portland Winter Hawks, Vancouver Giants)
Nate Thompson, Anchorage, AK (Seattle Thunderbirds)
Dana Tyrell, Airdrie, AB (Prince George Cougars)

Management
Head Amateur Scour Darryl Plandowski, Halifax, NS (Seattle Thunderbirds-ac)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Players
Colby Armstrong, Lloydminster, SK (Red Deer Rebels)
Keith Aulie, Rouleau, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Cody Franson, Sicamous, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)
Joffrey Lupul, Ft. Saskatchewan, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Clarke MacArthur, Lloydminster, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Colton Orr, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Kamloops Blazers, Regina Pats)
Dion Phaneuf, Edmonton, AB (Red Deer Rebels)
James Reimer, Winnipeg, MB (Red Deer Rebels)
Luke Schenn, Saskatoon, SK (Kelowna Rockets)

Management
Community Rep. Wendel Clark, Kelvington, SK (Saskatoon Blades)

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Players
Alexander Edler, Ostersund, SWE (Kelowna Rockets)
Dan Hamhuis, Smithers, B.C. (Prince George Cougars)
Jannik Hansen, Herlev, DNK (Portland Winter Hawks)
Aaron Rome, Nesbitt, MB (Saskatoon Blades, MJ Warriors, SC Broncos, Kootenay Ice)
Dale Weise, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos)

Management
Dir. of Player Personnel Lorne Henning, Melfort, SK (Estevan/New Westminster Bruins)
Dir. of Player Development Stan Smyl, Glendon, AB (New Westminster Bruins)

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Players
Karl Alzner, Burnaby, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)
Troy Brouwer, Vancouver, B.C. (Moose Jaw Warriors)
Jason Chimera, Edmonton, AB (Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings)
Cody Eakin, Winnipeg, MB (Swift Current Broncos, Kootenay Ice)
Mike Green, Calgary, AB (Saskatoon Blades)
DJ King, Meadow Lake, SK (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kelowna Rockets)
Tomas Kundratek, Prerov, CZE (Medicine Hat Tigers)
Brooks Laich, Wawota, SK (Moose Jaw Warriors, Seattle Thunderbirds)
Jeff Schultz, Calgary, AB (Calgary Hitmen)

Coaching Staff
Asst. Coach Dean Evason, Flin Flon, MB (Spokane Flyers, Kamloops Jr. Oilers, Kamloops Blazers-c, Vancouver Giants-c, Calgary Hitmen-c)
Asst./Video Coach Blaine Forsythe (Calgary Hitmen-ac)
Associate Goalie Coach Olaf Kolzig, Johannesburg, RSA (New Westminster Bruins/Tri-City Americans)

WINNIPEG JETS

Players
Dustin Byfuglien, Minneapolis, MN (Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince George Cougars)
Eric Fehr, Winkler, MB (Brandon Wheat Kings)
Brett Festerling, Quesnel, B.C. (Tri-City Americans, Vancouver Giants)
Jason Jaffray, Olds, AB (Edmonton/Kootenay Ice)
Evander Kane, Vancouver, B.C. (Vancouver Giants)
Andrew Ladd, Maple Ridge, B.C. (Calgary Hitmen)
Chris Mason, Red Deer, AB (Prince George Cougars)
Spencer Machacek, Lethbridge, AB (Vancouver Giants)
Kenndal McArdle, Burnaby, B.C. (Moose Jaw Warriors, Vancouver Giants)
Derek Meech, Winnipeg, MB (Red Deer Rebels)
Paul Postma, Red Deer, AB (Swift Current Broncos, Calgary Hitmen)

Coaching Staff
Goaltending Coach Wade Flaherty, Terrace, B.C. (Kelowna Wings, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, Victoria Cougars)

Management
Executive V.P & General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Saskatoon, SK (Brandon Wheat Kings)

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