The first ever W-H-L playoff series between the Prince Albert Raiders and Everett Silvertips will follow a 2-3-2 format, beginning Friday night in Everett, Washington.
Game 2 will also be in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday before the venue changes to the Art Hauser Centre in P-A next Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Should a Game 6 and/or 7 be needed, they would go May 17 and 18 in Everett.
In addition, the W-H-L announced its top performers for the past week’s play. Raiders’ defenceman Daxon Rudolph is the Player-of-the-Week, Prince Albert forward Owen Corkish is the top rookie while Everett’s Anders Miller is the best goaltender. Rudolph had nine points, including four goals, in the final four games of the Eastern Conference final win over Medicine Hat. Minnesota product Corkish notched a hat trick in Prince Albert’s Game 5 victory over the Tigers. Following are news releases from the W-H-L…..
WHL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2026 WHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PRESENTED BY NUTRIEN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026
The 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien will follow a 2-3-2 format, with Game 1 scheduled for Friday, May 8, in Everett, Wash.
This represents the first time in WHL history in which the Silvertips and Raiders will face off for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
| Game | Visitor | Home | Day | Date | Time | |
| 1 | Prince Albert | @ | Everett | Friday | May 8 | TBD |
| 2 | Prince Albert | @ | Everett | Saturday | May 9 | TBD |
| 3 | Everett | @ | Prince Albert | Tuesday | May 12 | TBD |
| 4 | Everett | @ | Prince Albert | Wednesday | May 13 | TBD |
| 5* | Everett | @ | Prince Albert | Friday | May 15 | TBD |
| 6* | Prince Albert | @ | Everett | Sunday | May 17 | TBD |
| 7* | Prince Albert | @ | Everett | Monday | May 18 | TBD |
* = if necessary
The Silvertips advanced to the 2026 WHL Championship Series following a four-game sweep of the Penticton Vees, while the Raiders secured their place following a six-game triumph over the defending WHL Champion Medicine Hat Tigers.
Everett has been paced by the play of 16-year-old defenceman Landon DuPont, who has posted 17 points (4G-13A) in 13 games. Eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-11, 183-pound product of Calgary, Alta., was the first defenceman in WHL history to be granted exceptional status back in May 2024.
Prince Albert has also benefited from the play of its own highly touted defenceman. With 23 points (9G-14A) in 15 games, 18-year-old Daxon Rudolph leads the entire WHL Playoffs in scoring. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound blueliner is ranked fifth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft.
This marks the third appearance in the WHL Championship for the Everett Silvertips. Everett has yet to claim the Ed Chynoweth Cup, previously appearing in the WHL Championship in 2004 and 2018.
This also represents the third appearance in the WHL Championship for the Prince Albert Raiders. The Raiders laid claim to the WHL title in both of their previous appearances – 1985 and 2019.
The winner of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien will advance to the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, scheduled to be hosted in Kelowna, B.C., from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 31.
2026 NHL DRAFT-ELIGIBLE PROSPECT RUDOLPH NAMED TEMPO WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK, FUELLED BY CO-OP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026
Rudolph, an 18-year-old product of Lacombe, Alta., recorded nine points (4G-5A) and a plus-4 rating in four games, helping the Raiders eliminate the defending WHL Champion Medicine Hat Tigers to advance to the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound right-shot blueliner started his week by scoring Prince Albert’s lone goal in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Championship – a 2-1 overtime loss Tuesday, April 28, at Medicine Hat.
In an all-important Game 4 with his team trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, Rudolph showed up in a big way with a four-point (2G-2A) effort Wednesday, April 29, as the Raiders doubled up the Tigers by a 6-3 score. Rudolph opened the scoring on a power play 10:16 into the first period before adding a second power-play goal only 25 seconds into the second period, giving Prince Albert a 3-1 lead. The second-year rearguard contributed assists on the next two goals for the Raiders and was named first star of the game as Prince Albert evened the series 2-2.
In Game 5 on Friday, May 1, Rudolph provided a helper on what went into the books as the eventual game-winning goal by Owen Corkish. Prince Albert skated to a second consecutive 6-3 triumph, this time on home ice, to take a 3-2 series lead.
With a berth in the 2026 WHL Championship Series on the line, Rudolph was once again up for the moment, registering three points (1G-2A) in Game 6 as the Raiders secured a 7-6 victory Sunday, May 3, eliminating the Tigers from the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Trailing 2-1, Rudolph combined with Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes to register a power-play goal 3:47 into the second period, tying the game. A mere 1:52 later, Rudolph scored his ninth goal of the post-season to give Prince Albert a 3-2 advantage. Before the second period was up, Rudolph and Cootes once again connected, this time setting up veteran forward Aiden Oiring for a power-play goal with 6:48 to go in the middle period. Oiring’s seventh goal of the playoffs gave Prince Albert a 4-3 lead. The Raiders added two more goals to take a 6-3 lead into the third period. A late push from Medicine Hat made for a tense finish, but ultimately, Prince Albert held on to advance to the WHL Championship for the first time since 2019.
With 23 points (9G-14A) in 15 games, Rudolph leads the entire WHL Playoffs in scoring. Ranked fifth among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft, Rudolph enters the WHL Championship riding a four-game point streak, and has secured points in six of his last seven outings. In total, the veteran defender has registered at least one point in 12 of 15 post-season appearances in 2026.
Rudolph enjoyed an outstanding second season in Prince Albert, scoring 78 points (28G-50A) in 68 games to finish third in scoring among all WHL defencemen. Named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team, Rudolph is a finalist for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the WHL Defenceman of the Year.
Originally selected by the Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Rudolph has collected 119 points (35G-84A) in 132 career WHL regular season games. He has also appeared in 26 career WHL postseason games, tallying 35 points (10G-25A).
Rudolph and the Raiders will continue their pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup this Friday, May 8, when they visit the Everett Silvertips for Game 1 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
Tempo WHL Player of the Week
September 22, 2025: Ethan Semeniuk, Moose Jaw Warriors
September 29, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
October 14, 2025: Noah Kosick, Swift Current Broncos
October 20, 2025: Kooper Gizowski, Prince George Cougars
October 27, 2025: Caden Brown, Regina Pats
November 3, 2025: Max Curran, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Luke Mistelbacher, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 17, 2025: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
November 24, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 1, 2025: Tarin Smith, Everett Silvertips
December 8, 2025: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 15, 2025: Joby Baumuller, Brandon Wheat Kings
December 22, 2025: Mathis Preston, Spokane Chiefs
December 29, 2025: Jonas Woo, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 5, 2026: Lukas Sawchyn, Edmonton Oil Kings
January 12, 2026: Bryce Pickford, Medicine Hat Tigers
January 19, 2026: Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders
January 26, 2026: Brandon Gorzynski, Prince Albert Raiders
February 2, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
February 9, 2026: Carter Sotheran, Edmonton Oil Kings
February 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
February 23, 2026: Owen Martin, Spokane Chiefs
March 2, 2026: Julius Miettinen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Tij Iginla, Kelowna Rockets
March 16, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
March 23, 2026: Cameron Schmidt, Seattle Thunderbirds
March 30, 2026: Julien Maze, Calgary Hitmen
April 6, 2026: Miroslav Holinka, Edmonton Oil Kings
April 13, 2026: Terik Parascak, Prince George Cougars
April 20, 2026: Liam Ruck, Medicine Hat Tigers
April 27, 2026: Landon DuPont, Everett Silvertips
RAIDERS FORWARD CORKISH NAMED SANDMAN WHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Corkish, an 18-year-old product of Cottage Grove, Minn., recorded four points (3G-1A) and a plus-4 rating in four games, helping the Raiders eliminate the defending WHL Champion Medicine Hat Tigers to advance to the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound left winger registered a hat trick Friday, May 1, in Prince Albert’s 6-3 Game 5 victory over the Tigers. Corkish hit the scoresheet for the first time 22 seconds into the second period, registering his fourth goal of the postseason to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead. The Minnesota native then found the back of the net for a second time in the period, scoring with 6:24 to go, putting Prince Albert ahead 4-1. The first-year forward completed his hat-trick performance with 2:31 to go in regulation, depositing the puck into the empty net, giving Prince Albert a 5-3 edge. Corkish was named first star of the game for his outstanding performance.
Sunday, May 3, in Game 6, Corkish registered a primary assist on a second period goal by Brayden Dube. The tally came with 2:01 to go in the second period and gave Prince Albert a 5-3 advantage. The Raiders went on to win the game by a score of 7-6 to advance to the WHL Championship Series.
Through 15 WHL Playoff games, Corkish has tallied seven points (6G-1A).
In his first WHL season, Corkish registered 32 points (12G-20A) in 68 games. He signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Raiders on September 13, 2025.
Corkish and the Raiders will continue their pursuit of the Ed Chynoweth Cup this Friday, May 8, when they visit the Everett Silvertips for Game 1 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week
September 22, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
September 29, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
October 6, 2025: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
October 14, 2025: Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2025: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
October 27, 2025: Chase Surkan, Brandon Wheat Kings
November 3, 2025: Dylan Dean, Edmonton Oil Kings
November 10, 2025: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
November 17, 2024: Brock England, Seattle Thunderbirds
November 24, 2025: Colt Carter, Moose Jaw Warriors
December 1, 2025: JP Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers
December 8, 2025: Boston Tait, Wenatchee Wild
December 15, 2025: Tyson Moss, Medicine Hat Tigers
December 22, 2025: Ludovic Perreault, Victoria Royals
December 29, 2025: Mason Kraft, Wenatchee Wild
January 5, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 12, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
January 19, 2026: Prab Bhathal, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 26, 2026: Andrei Molgachev, Calgary Hitmen
February 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
February 9, 2026: Kale Dach, Calgary Hitmen
February 16, 2026: Jonah Sivertson, Prince Albert Raiders
February 23, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
March 2, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
March 9, 2026: Easton Daneault, Lethbridge Hurricanes
March 16, 2026: Ben Harvey, Prince Albert Raiders
March 23, 2026: Poul Andersen, Red Deer Rebels
March 30, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders
April 6, 2026: Vojtech Cihar, Kelowna Rockets
April 13, 2026: Matias Vanhanen, Everett Silvertips
April 20, 2026: Jacob Kvasnicka, Penticton Vees
April 27, 2026: Brock Cripps, Prince Albert Raiders
SILVERTIPS NETMINDER MILLER NAMED MARY BROWN’S CHICKEN WHL GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Miller, a 19-year-old product of Anchorage, Alaska, went 2-0-0-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this past week, helping the Silvertips complete a four-game sweep of the Penticton Vees to advance to the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound puckstopper made 21 saves in Game 3 of the Western Conference Championship, backstopping the Silvertips to a 4-3 victory. He followed that up with a 26-save effort Tuesday, April 28, in Game 4, helping the Silvertips secure the franchise’s third trip to the WHL Championship Series.
The second-year WHL goaltender has been a steadying presence for the Silvertips throughout the 2026 WHL Playoffs, going 12-0-1-0 with a 1.79 GAA, .936 SV%, and one shutout. He ranks among the WHL leaders in wins (T-1st), GAA (second), save percentage (T-2nd), and shutouts (T-2nd).
On October 13, 2025, the Silvertips acquired Miller from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a pair of picks in the WHL Prospects Draft. Upon landing in Everett, Miller proceeded to go 29-4-0-0 with a 2.12 GAA, .920 SV%, and four shutouts, helping the Silvertips claim a second consecutive Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season champions.
In 58 career WHL regular season appearances split between the Hitmen and Silvertips, Miller owns a record of 44-9-0-2 with a 2.32 GAA, .912 SV%, and five shutouts.
Miller originally signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Hitmen on November 19, 2024.
The Silvertips welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to Angel of the Winds Arena for Game 1 of the 2026 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien on Friday, May 8.
Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week
September 22, 2025: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
September 29, 2025: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
October 6, 2025: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings
October 14, 2025: Evan Gardner, Saskatoon Blades
October 20, 2025: Burke Hood, Vancouver Giants
October 27, 2025: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees
November 3, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
November 10, 2025: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
November 17, 2025: Anders Miller, Everett Silvertips
November 24, 2025: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
December 1, 2025: Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Cougars
December 8, 2025: Matthew Hutchison, Regina Pats
December 15, 2025: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
December 22, 2025: Marek Sklenicka, Seattle Thunderbirds
December 29, 2025: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
January 5, 2026: Xavier Wendt, Tri-City Americans
January 12, 2026: Ethan Eskit, Victoria Royals
January 19, 2026: Carter Esler, Spokane Chiefs
January 26, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees
February 2, 2026: Jayden Kraus, Brandon Wheat Kings
February 9, 2026: Logan Edmonstone, Kamloops Blazers
February 16, 2026: Grayson Malinoski, Seattle Thunderbirds
February 23, 2026: Filip Ruzicka, Brandon Wheat Kings
March 2, 2026: Parker Snell, Edmonton Oil Kings
March 9, 2026: Andrew Reyelts, Penticton Vees
March 16, 2026: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
March 23, 2026: Ethan McCallum, Penticton Vees
March 30, 2026: Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
April 6, 2026: Eric Tu, Calgary Hitmen
April 13, 2026: Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
April 20, 2026: Josh Banini, Kelowna Rockets
April 27, 2026: Jordan Switzer, Medicine Hat Tigers
