WHL Alumni Spotlight: Blazers’ Stankoven becoming star in Lone Star State
With over 100 graduates currently featured on NHL rosters, the Western Hockey League prides itself as one of the finest development leagues in the World.
By way of the WHL Alumni Spotlight, we aim to highlight notable achievements set by our alumni at the highest level of professional hockey on a week-to-week basis.
This is what our WHL Alumni were up to over the last week.
The Legend of Blazers’ alumni Stankoven continues
Kamloops Blazers’ alumni Logan Stankoven continues to be the talk of the town — and for good reason. Since making his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on February 24, the homegrown talent from Kamloops, B.C., has been producing like a National League regular. As it turns out, recording his first career goal and multi-point night in just his second NHL game was the tip of the iceberg for Stankoven. His most recent feat, a four-point night (two goals—two assists) in Dallas’ 7-6 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks on March 5. The four-point outing also helped set a record previously set by Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri in December 1981.
Absolutely ELITE company for Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven 🌟
(via @OptaSTATS) pic.twitter.com/D8hq3lO8dw
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 6, 2024
Now, just six games into his NHL career, Stankoven currently boasts an impressive eight points (five goals—three assists).
CAN'T STOP THE STANK! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K7xrBr7HXG
— z – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 6, 2024
The story was no different at the WHL level, either. Selected fifth-overall by the Blazers at the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Stankoven recorded 260 points (115 goals—145 assists) in 180 regular season games — including 30 multi-point games in his final season. As he wrapped up his fourth season with the Blazers, the Stars’ second-rounder was named the CHL and WHL Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, before concluding his fifth and final season by leading the WHL in most playoff points, with 30 (10 goals—20 assists) in 14 games, and first in points at the 2023 Memorial Cup, with nine (two goals—seven assists) in four games.
Winterhawks’ alumni Glass nets emotional first career NHL hat-trick
It was a smile worth a thousand words. From pure happiness to sighs of relief, Winterhawks’ alumni Cody Glass went through a palette of emotions after scoring his first career NHL hat-trick on March 2. Following a career-high 35 points (14 goals—21 assists) with the Predators last season the product of Winnipeg, Man., looked to top his previous bests during his current campaign, but a series of early-season injuries quickly hampered Glass’ hopes. The fifth-year NHLer has recorded 10 points (five goals—five assists) in 35 games this season — including four points (three goals—one assist) over his last two games.
What a special moment on a special night for Cody Glass. 💛 pic.twitter.com/peXPOhKhBZ
— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2024
Now, back in Nashville’s daily rotation, a 24-year-old Glass is looking to build on his recent performance as the Preds hunt down a spot in the 2024 NHL Playoffs. In 181 NHL games, Glass has recorded 68 points (28 goals—40 assists) and has made three appearances in the post-season.
Formerly featured in the WHL’s U.S. Division with the Winterhawks, Glass found nothing but success while playing in the PDX. In his 239 appearances over five seasons, the former Winterhawks’ captain recorded 292 points (94 goals—198 assists). Glass also reached the 100-point plateau during the 2017-18 WHL season, where he finished tied for sixth in League points, with 102 (37 goals–62 assists).
Congrats on your first career hat trick, Cody Glass! 💪
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/jOz0i2HVwF
— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2024
Glass would go on to become the first draft pick in Vegas Golden Knights history, as he was selected sixth overall at the 2017 NHL Draft. In July 2021, Glass would be traded to Nashville in exchange for fellow WHL alumni, Nolan Patrick.
Morrissey named NHL’s Third Star of the Week
With a record of 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and being in contention for the top spot in the NHL’s Western Conference, the Winnipeg Jets have been flying high of late. While their hot streak has, in part, been generated by team-wide successes, a mere few players remain at the forefront of the Jets’ season-long achievements. And, Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets alumni Josh Morrissey is one of those very few.
With seven points (one goal—six assists), and three multi-point nights in his last four games, Morrissey has surged to the second-place in the Jets’ points leaderboard. The 28-year-old defenceman now has 51 points (eight goals—43 assists) in 62 games this season. Morrissey’s 51 tallies currently place him seventh among all NHL defencemen in points. The defenceman’s recent bout of scoring success hasn’t gone unnoticed either, as he was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week on March 4. In his nine-season tenure with the Jets, Morrissey has posted 293 points (64 goals—229 assists) in 562 career games.
What a week for Josh NORRISSEY 🥵
🔥 One goal and six assists
🔥 Three multi-point games
🔥 Reached 50-points on the season⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/WGnLKdDmms
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 4, 2024
Before making the jump to the National League for the 2015-16 season, Morrissey spent parts of five seasons with the Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets. In his 249 regular season appearances, Morrissey collected 196 points (66 goals—130 assists). Morrissey also suited up in 22 post-season games, where he collected 20 points (four goals—16 assists). The product of Calgary, Alta., led all WHL defencemen in goals, with 28, during the 2013-14 season and raised the Ed Chynoweth Cup with the 2014-15 WHL Champions, the Kelowna Rockets. Morrissey was also the recipient of the CHL and WHL Scholastic Player of the Year following the 2012-13 season.
Josh Norrissey is HIM 🙌 pic.twitter.com/SzyiMD6zWI
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 4, 2024
In June 2013, Morrissey was selected 13th-overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the NHL Draft.
Two-time WHL Champion Guenther records first three-point game with Coyotes
As a core piece in the Arizona Coyotes’ youth movement, Dylan Guenther has spent the new year vying for a permanent spot on the Desert Dogs roster. And, if his recent performances are any indication the former Edmonton Oil Kings and Seattle Thunderbirds alumni may have just made the jump from pup to full-fledged Coyote.
On March 3, Guenther recorded yet another first in his budding NHL career — a three-point outing (one goal—two assists) with the Coyotes. Since flipping the calendar into March, the Edmonton, Alta., native has nabbed five points (two goals—three assists) in just two appearances. His recent scoring outburst has also set a career-high in single-season points with 17 (eight goals—nine assists) in 25 games. His previous best was set at 15 points (six goals—nine assists) in 33 games last season.
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1763752068798431390
Guenther graduated from the Western League as a two-time WHL Champion, raising the Ed Chynoweth Cup in back-to-back seasons. First with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2021-22, then with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-23. The 20-year-old suited up in WHL 157 regular season games, accruing 207 points (99 goals—108 assists). In his first full season with the Oil Kings, Guenther was awarded the Jim Piggott Trophy as the WHL’s Rookie of the Year.
In 2021, Guenther was selected ninth-overall by the Arizona Coyotes at the NHL Draft.