BEHIND THE BENCH A Look In On the Playoffs

To the players and families still watching the boards,

This felt like a good time to take a short break from the usual spring noise and simply look in on the playoffs.

Across junior hockey, the picture is starting to tighten. In the OHL, the final four are set with Brantford vs. Barrie in the East and Kitchener vs. Windsor in the West. Brantford and Kitchener look like the safest favorites on paper because both earned home ice and both have carried strong form into the conference finals, but Barrie is still very much alive and has gotten strong recent goaltending from Ben Hrebik.

In the WHL, the semifinals are Medicine Hat vs. Prince Albert and Everett vs. Penticton. Medicine Hat still feels like the club everybody is chasing, but Penticton has become one of the most interesting stories left on the board after surviving a Game 7 overtime win over Prince George to get there. At this stage, they are no longer just hanging around. They have become a real factor.

In the QMJHL, the semifinals are Moncton vs. Blainville-Boisbriand and Rouyn-Noranda vs. Chicoutimi. Moncton enters with Rudy Guimond, who just won the Patrick Roy Trophy as the league’s goaltender of the year after leading QMJHL goalies in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and minutes played. Chicoutimi has its own major weapon in Maxim Massé, who was named league MVP. Both Moncton and Chicoutimi also opened the playoffs 8-0 through two rounds, so those two clearly look like the strongest teams left in that race.

In the USHL, the Clark Cup field is still in the conference semifinal stage, but a few storylines have already started to take shape. Madison jumped out to a 2-0 series lead on Youngstown, Fargo took a 2-0 lead on Sioux City, and Dubuque and Muskegon split the first two games. Youngstown came in as the Anderson Cup winner, with Tobias Trejbal named Goalie of the Year and Jack Willson named Defenseman of the Year, so Madison has probably been the biggest surprise on the board so far.

The BCHL still has more movement left in it, but the clubs alive include Brooks, Sherwood Park, Salmon Arm, Cranbrook, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Chilliwack, and Prince George. Of that group, Brooks looks like the strongest favorite right now. The Bandits have built the clearest playoff profile so far, while the rest of the field still feels like it has room for another turn or two before things fully settle.

The NAHL remains the widest open of the group. Its divisional playoff picture still includes Maryland vs. Danbury, Rochester vs. Northeast, Wisconsin vs. Fairbanks, Austin vs. Watertown, Lone Star vs. Shreveport, Bismarck vs. Aberdeen, El Paso vs. New Mexico, and Anchorage vs. Minnesota. In other words, that bracket has not narrowed nearly as much as the others yet. Lone Star and Bismarck still feel like two of the safer names to watch, but there is still enough traffic left in that field for things to change quickly.

That is the fun part about this time of year.

The regular season tells you who the best teams were over time. The playoffs tell you who can still answer the bell when the pressure gets heavier, the margin gets smaller, and a single bounce starts to matter a lot more. A hot goalie changes everything. One timely road win changes everything. A line getting hot at the right time changes everything.

That is why these games matter, and that is why so many people keep watching.

Who you got?

Mike

Denver captured its record 11th NCAA men’s hockey championship with a 2-1 Frozen Four win over Wisconsin, powered by third-period goals from Rieger Lorenz and Kyle Chyzowski. Johnny Hicks starred in net with 29 saves, earning Most Outstanding Player honors after an unbeaten 16-0-1 finish. The Pioneers survived Wisconsin’s early control, blocked 31 shots, and closed the season on a 13-game winning streak. Denver’s latest NCAA title also marks the program’s third national championship in five years.

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College hockey’s transfer portal has triggered a fast-moving roster reset, with more than 300 NCAA players entering and money playing a larger role in roster decisions. Big Ten programs including Wisconsin, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Michigan State made major additions, while independents and smaller conferences absorbed heavier losses. CHIP ratings position Wisconsin and Notre Dame as early winners. The ECAC saw less movement overall but still lost key talent, while Arizona State and St. Cloud State face significant turnover and scoring gaps.

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Canada has named a 25-player roster for the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship in Slovakia, featuring three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 14 forwards from eight Members. The lineup includes returning gold medallists, Hlinka Gretzky Cup bronze winners and several U17 World Challenge standouts, giving Canada strong depth, experience and character. Led by head coach Drew Bannister, the National Men’s Under-18 Team opens tournament play against Slovakia on April 22 as it begins its bid for a third straight U18 world championship gold medal.

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Team USA opens the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship focused on reclaiming the gold medal after earning bronze in 2025 and silver in 2024. Powered by National Team Development Program talent, the Americans bring a strong history with 11 U18 world titles and 21 total medals. Pre-tournament wins over Norway and Finland showcased offensive depth, special teams strength and confident goaltending. The United States begins preliminary-round play against Czechia aiming to return to the top of the podium.

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The USHL announced its 2025-26 All-USHL Teams, spotlighting 18 top performers selected by team general managers. Youngstown led the way with multiple first- and second-team honorees after its Anderson Cup-winning season, while standout players from Lincoln, Green Bay, Des Moines, Sioux Falls, Tri-City, Cedar Rapids, and Fargo also earned recognition. The list highlights elite scoring, defense, and goaltending across junior hockey, with many selections also carrying NHL draft status, international experience, and NCAA Division I commitments that reinforce the league’s player-development reputation.

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Eight WHL players have earned spots on Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team for the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship in Slovakia, highlighting the league’s strong role in player development. The roster features one goaltender, three defencemen and four forwards from seven WHL clubs, including Vancouver, Calgary, Red Deer and Spokane. Top prospects such as Keaton Verhoeff, Ryan Lin and Jaxon Jacobson bring skill, production and international experience as Canada opens tournament play against Slovakia in its pursuit of another U18 world championship medal.

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Ten OHL players have been named to Canada’s opening roster for the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship in Slovakia, underscoring the league’s strong contribution to the national team. The group includes one goaltender, four defencemen and five forwards from clubs such as Kingston, Erie, Ottawa and Saginaw. Canada opens preliminary-round play against Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Finland while chasing a third straight gold medal. Strong OHL talent, tournament depth and returning championship ambition give Canada a solid foundation for another U18 world title run.

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Moncton Wildcats standout Rudy Guimond has won the Patrick Roy Trophy as QMJHL goaltender of the year after a dominant 2025-26 season. The Detroit Red Wings prospect led the league in wins, goals-against average, save percentage and minutes played, helping Moncton secure a second straight regular-season championship. Guimond also finished his QMJHL career with a 2.14 goals-against average, setting a new league record. Finalists Lucas Beckman and William Lacelle also delivered strong campaigns, but Guimond’s all-around numbers set the standard.

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The Billings Cattle Punchers will debut in the NCDC for the 2026-27 season, bringing junior hockey to Billings, Montana, at the new Signal Peak Energy Arena. Backed by the ownership group behind the Idaho Falls Spud Kings, the expansion franchise aims to build a competitive roster and strong local following. Led by Nick Dreyer and head coach Steve Haddon, the Cattle Punchers will compete in the Mountain Division, strengthening the NCDC’s growth in the Mountain West and expanding opportunities for player development and community engagement.

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The NCAA’s 2024 rule change allowing Canadian Hockey League players to compete in Division I hockey is rapidly reshaping the sport, boosting talent, depth and NHL development paths. Frozen Four rosters now feature nearly 20 players with CHL ties, including standout freshmen goaltenders and top 2026 NHL draft prospects. Coaches say college hockey is stronger than ever, while players gain a new option to pursue an NCAA title, NIL opportunities and high-level competition before moving on to the NHL. 

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Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

 

Thank you,

Team VHC

 

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