Rookie Defenceman Makes Waves in WHL Finals
Brock Cripps, a 16‑year‑old blueliner with the Prince Albert Raiders, has quickly become a focal point of the 2026 WHL Championship Series. His recent surge earned him the Sandman WHL Rookie of the Week honor for the week ending May 10, a recognition that underscores his impact on the ice.
In the first two games of the series against the Everett Silvertips, Cripps logged two points, including a power‑play goal and an assist. His primary helper set up a key goal in Game 1, and he followed up with his inaugural championship goal in Game 2, helping the Raiders tie the series 1‑1.
Beyond the immediate series, Cripps has compiled 19 points in 17 playoff appearances, ranking second among rookies behind Matias Vanhanen. The performance has only amplified speculation about his eligibility for the 2027 NHL Draft, where he is projected as a top prospect.
A Rising Star with Draft Implications
Selected second overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Cripps posted 37 points in 62 regular‑season games, a tally that includes six goals and 31 assists. His blend of offensive flair and defensive reliability has drawn attention from scouts across North America.
The championship series will shift to Game 3 on May 12 at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. A victory there would propel the Raiders into the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna, British Columbia, where they would join other champions from across the Canadian Hockey League.
All matches of the WHL Championship Series are broadcast on TSN and streamed globally via Victory+, ensuring that fans from Canada to the United States can follow Cripps’s journey in real time.
Beyond the Boards
While Cripps commands attention, teammates such as Braeden Cootes continue to contribute, providing depth that could prove vital in the series’ later stages. The Raiders’ organization, anchored by the Western Hockey League and supported by partners like the Vancouver Canucks, emphasizes player development as a core mission.
The upcoming games will be played in front of home crowds in Prince Albert, a city that has embraced the team’s playoff run, and the broader tournament will showcase the region’s hockey heritage on an international stage.