The Wenatchee Wild are an American major junior ice hockey team based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team began play in the 2023–24 WHL season.

Wenatchee Wild
CityWenatchee, Washington
LeagueWestern Hockey League
DivisionU.S.
Founded1996
Home arenaTown Toyota Center
ColorsBlue, black, and white
     
Owner(s)David White
General managerBliss Littler
Head coachRoy Sommer[1]
MediaNewsRadio 560 KPQ
Websitechl.ca/whl-wild
Franchise history
1996–1998Edmonton Ice
1998–2019Kootenay Ice
2019–2023Winnipeg Ice
2023–presentWenatchee Wild

History edit

On June 16, 2023, the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Wild franchise announced that British Columbia Hockey League's Wenatchee Wild owners David and Lisa White had purchased the franchise playing as the Winnipeg Ice and the league approved relocation to Wenatchee starting in the 2023–24 WHL season.[2] The Wild name and branding was carried forward to the WHL organization. The team was added to the U.S. Division of the Western Conference of the WHL, alongside new in-state rivals Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Spokane Chiefs, and Tri-City Americans, as well as the Portland Winterhawks.[citation needed]

On July 13, 2023, Kevin Constantine was announced as the team's first WHL head coach.[3] Constantine was suspended indefinitely by the WHL on September 25, 2023, pending an independent investigation into alleged violations of the league's regulations and policies.[4][5]

Current roster edit

Updated March 30, 2024.[6]

# Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace Drafted
45   Steven Arp LW R 20 2022 Swan River, Manitoba Undrafted
26   Chase Bambrick D R 17 2021 Nelson, British Columbia Eligible 2025
4   Ashton Brown C R 17 2022 Sherwood Park, Alberta Eligible 2025
23   Rodzers Bukarts C L 19 2023 Jurmala, Latvia Undrafted
19   Miles Cooper C L 17 2021 Calgary, Alberta Eligible 2024
5   Josh Fluker D R 18 2024 Boissevain, Manitoba Eligible 2024
17   Ty Fraser RW R 18 2020 Raymond, Alberta Undrafted
10   Evan Friesen RW L 19 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba Undrafted
35   Brendan Gee G R 18 2023 Vancouver, British Columbia Undrafted
37   Cru Hanas C L 18 2024 Highland Village, Texas Undrafted
31   Daniel Hauser G L 20 2019 Chestermere, Alberta Undrafted
86   Kenta Isogai LW L 19 2023 Nagano, Japan Undrafted
13   Caelan Joudrey RW R 16 2023 Airdrie, Alberta Eligible 2026
16   Maddix McCagherty LW L 17 2024 Kelowna, British Columbia Eligible 2024
18   Hayden Moore C R 17 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba Eligible 2024
7   Brayden Pankey D L 18 2023 Spokane, Washington Eligible 2024
30   Justin Perreault G R 16 2022 Winnipeg, Manitoba Eligible 2025
55   Karter Prosofsky (A) D R 20 2018 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Undrafted
20   Kurt Rookes D L 18 2023 Manson, Manitoba Undrafted
14   Dawson Seitz C R 19 2023 Medicine Hat, Alberta Undrafted
27   Luka Shcherbyna C R 17 2023 Vancouver, British Columbia Eligible 2024
44   Graham Sward (C) D L 20 2022 Abbotsford, British Columbia 2022, 146th Overall, NSH
21   Sam Ward D L 18 2024 Kamloops, British Columbia Undrafted
8   Jonas Woo D R 17 2021 Winnipeg, Manitoba Eligible 2025
15   Briley Wood (A) C R 21 2022 Rivers, Manitoba Undrafted
2   Landon Young D L 17 2021 Edmonton, Alberta Eligible 2024

Season-by-season record edit

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, SOL = Shootout losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L OTL SOL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
2023–24 68 34 30 4 0 249 268 72 3rd U.S. Lost Western Conference quarterfinal

References edit

  1. ^ "Wild hire AHL's winningest coach Roy Sommer". chl.ca. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "WHL announces relocation of Winnipeg ICE franchise to Wenatchee, Washington for 2023-24 season – WHL Network". Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  3. ^ "Wild Announce Hiring of Kevin Constantine As Team's First Head Coach in WHL Era". Wenatchee Wild. July 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "WHL suspends Wild head coach Kevin Constantine due to 'alleged violation' of policies". Wenatchee World. September 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Rocca, Taylor (September 25, 2023). "WHL announces suspension of Kevin Constantine". Western Hockey League. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "WHL Network". Western Hockey League. Retrieved March 30, 2024.

External links edit