Five WHL Acquisitions That Will Perform Well For Their New Team

Although opening weekend has wrapped up, many NHL draftees and invites are only just getting back from their respective camps. Some of them, coming home to an entirely new franchise; here are five players that will meet or exceed expectations in their new environment.

Ryder Ritchie- Medicine Hat Tigers

This trade surprised a lot of people the day it happened, us at THN included. Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Ritchie provides yet another offensive boost to a Tigers lineup that already has the likes of Gavin McKenna, Andrew Basha, and Markus and Liam Ruck. Ritchie has returned from the Wild pre-season, and is slated to be in the lineup Friday night as Medicine Hat visits the Red Deer Rebels.

Tomas Mrsic- Prince Albert Raiders

Can we do both? We're doing both.

Originally a Tiger, Mrsic was the returning piece in the Ritchie trade back in August. While his style may lend itself to a bit of a "growing period" and taking some time to adjust, the St. Louis Blues prospect plays a tough game and will give Prince Albert another layer of depth to their offence. Nearly posting a point per game in 2023-24, Mrsic should do just fine in green and white.

Cooper Michaluk- Prince George Cougars

Spending his entire WHL career in Spokane with the Chiefs, Michaluk played just one game in the 2024-25 season before being shipped off to Prince George to backstop the Cougars. With Vancouver Canucks prospect Ty Young seemingly moving on to professional hockey, the Sherwood Park native joins a tandem with 2025 NHL Draft hopeful Joshua Ravensbergen. As the veteran in this situation, Michaluk is presented with a big opportunity to prove his worth.

Aleksey Chichkin- Regina Pats

Standing in at 6-foot-5, Chichkin may not be expected to put up a lot of points but he brings an imposing figure to the Pats blueline. Traded from the Calgary Hitmen, the New Westminster native brings an "Albertan" style of hockey to the Pats that complements their roster well; especially since the average height of the Pats back end was already north of six feet tall.

Rylen Roersma- Edmonton Oil Kings

Just two days before the writing of this article, the lifetime Brandon Wheat King was sent to the Oil Kings for his last season of junior eligibility. Similar to the aforementioned Michaluk, Roersma also played just one game for his home club this season before the trade. Donning an assistant captaincy for the Wheat Kings last season, the Lethbridge product brings a leadership and veteran presence to a very young Oil Kings team. Roersma is expected to make his debut in Edmonton on September 28, for the Oil Kings' home opener.

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