Latest news with #ColeReschny
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Victoria Royals lose two top players to NCAA's North Dakota — what's next for WHL?
Jeff Marek's Thursday podcast that broached the idea of junior teams finding sponsors to pay star players sounded a little over the top. A day later, it became less far fetched. On Friday, the news broke that Victoria Royals centre Cole Reschny, 18, and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, 16, were both giving up multiple years of junior eligibility to join the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the fall. Reschny could winding up going in the first round of this summer's NHL Draft, while Verhoeff might be a top-five selection in 2026. The Royals won the WHL's B.C. Division this past season and looked to be continuing in the right direction. How they regroup after Friday's news is anyone's guess. The NCAA announced in November that it was opening up scholarship opportunities to players from Major Junior leagues like the WHL for the coming season and the buzz around 17-year-old phenom Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers making that move started up instantly. The Tigers play the London Knights for the Memorial Cup national title Sunday in Rimouski. McKenna could hoist the most prized trophy in junior hockey in this country, and moments later be asked in a media scrum about whether he's leaving for the American collegiate system. Various junior hockey people over the season have concurred that McKenna was in play to go to the NCAA, but they treated it as him being an outlier, the very tip of the top one per cent of players in the WHL. The thinking was that collegiate teams would want graduating 20-year-olds and the odd 19-year-old, in large part because they recruited players of that age when the Junior A ranks were their main feeder. Junior hockey's biggest selling point is the chance for fans to watch draft eligible players and world junior team candidates. Guess what? The NCAA isn't any different. There will be no better marketing for North Dakota than when Verhoeff is one of the first few names mentioned two drafts from now. And NCAA programs like North Dakota believe those high-end youngsters can compete against 22- and 23-year-olds. Reschny and Verhoeff would have been in the top-five per cent of WHL players this coming season. There have been other underage players declare for schools as well. How deep will the NCAA end up taking from when all is said and done? Ten per cent? Will it get to 20 per cent? This new way of life for hockey development was a topic on Marek's The Sheet podcast earlier in the week, when QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini was a guest. Marek asked Cecchini point blank whether the teams in the QMJHL, WHL and OHL should consider paying players. 'Well, right now we have a student/athlete status, so we have to be very, very, very careful about that,' Cecchini said. 'But there are sponsoring possibilities. So the teams right now, as we speak, cannot pay them directly, but can a local automotive dealer sponsor a player directly? That's doable and that's possible. That's within the framework that we live in. That's where we may want to turn our hats. 'It's probably one player per team at most. Call them a franchise player, for example, for a term that we know well in sports.' The irony is that they'd have to get it approved by the NCAA so that players can keep their college eligibility. You would think the NCAA would oblige, considering that they're doing exactly that with their Name Image Likeness (NIL) program. For hockey, this a major rethink, and hockey rarely has been one for major rethinks, and that includes in junior. The WHL went from 72-game regular seasons for its teams to 68-game ones in 2018-19 and that proved a much debated endeavour. For decades, the pitch to players from teams in the WHL was that they had a schedule similar to an NHL one, and that got you ready for the next level. The thinking is different now. Fewer games means more time to work on your skills, more time to work on your body in the gym. The Boston University Terriers, with Vancouver Canucks defence prospect Tom Willander helping to lead the way, went to the NCAA championship game as part of their 40 total games this season. Medicine Hat's showdown with London Sunday will mark their 90th game of the campaign. There's also the matter of facilities. North Dakota's Ralph Engelstad Arena features a 1,400 square foot altitude chamber added to its weight room arena in 2021. That's an extreme, but it gives you an idea of what the WHL teams are now competing against. They'll need to find a way. 'For me, North Dakota was top-of-the-line,' Verhoeff told the Grand Forks Gazette. 'It's professional in every aspect of the training, the day-to-day, and the opportunity I was given there was too good to pass up. 'I checked out a couple of other schools. After looking at all the other great programs and schools, North Dakota is the one that spoke to me and I felt at home there.' Verhoeff, who turns 17 in June, is a 6-foot-4, 212-pound right-handed shot and had 21 goals and 45 points in 63 regular season games with the Royals. He finished his high school commitments early. The Athletic's Scott Wheeler had him at No. 5 in a 2026 mock draft he did in April. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound, left-shot Reschny put up 26 goals and 92 points in 62 regular season games with Victoria. Elite Prospects has him at No 22 in its consolidated rankings for this year's draft, led by a No. 13 from TSN's Craig Button. Left-shot McKenna, who's 6-foot and 165 pounds, tallied 41 times and recorded 129 points in 56 regular season games with the Tigers. He then supplied nine goals and 38 points in 16 regular season games. He's, of course, the consensus projected No. 1 pick for 2026. One-time Canucks forward Byron Ritchie is McKenna's family adviser. He told Postmedia back in March that the NCAA was definitely an option, explaining how he worried about McKenna jumping from the WHL to the NHL after next season, which is what is expected. 'Going from playing 2009s, 2008s and 2007s (16- to 18-year-olds) if he stays, to playing the following year against men who are trying to feed their families and where every puck battle is life or death,' Ritchie said. 'It's a massive step from the Western League to the NHL. Can you ease that transition by having him playing next year against 22- and 23-year-olds?' @SteveEwen SEwen@
The Province
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Province
Victoria Royals lose two top players to NCAA's North Dakota — what's next for WHL?
Centre Cole Reschny, 18, and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, 16, are the latest players to give up multiple years of junior to go the U.S. college route, taking advantage of new rules Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox Victoria Royals centre Cole Reschny gave up multiple years of junior eligibility to join the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the fall. Photo by LARRY MACDOUGAL / The Canadian Press Jeff Marek's Thursday podcast that broached the idea of junior teams finding sponsors to pay star players sounded a little over the top. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors A day later, it became less far fetched. On Friday, the news broke that Victoria Royals centre Cole Reschny, 18, and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff, 16, were both giving up multiple years of junior eligibility to join the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the fall. Reschny could winding up going in the first round of this summer's NHL Draft, while Verhoeff might be a top-five selection in 2026. The Royals won the WHL's B.C. Division this past season and looked to be continuing in the right direction. How they regroup after Friday's news is anyone's guess. The NCAA announced in November that it was opening up scholarship opportunities to players from Major Junior leagues like the WHL for the coming season and the buzz around 17-year-old phenom Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers making that move started up instantly. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Tigers play the London Knights for the Memorial Cup national title Sunday in Rimouski. McKenna could hoist the most prized trophy in junior hockey in this country, and moments later be asked in a media scrum about whether he's leaving for the American collegiate system. Various junior hockey people over the season have concurred that McKenna was in play to go to the NCAA, but they treated it as him being an outlier, the very tip of the top one per cent of players in the WHL. The thinking was that collegiate teams would want graduating 20-year-olds and the odd 19-year-old, in large part because they recruited players of that age when the Junior A ranks were their main feeder. Junior hockey's biggest selling point is the chance for fans to watch draft eligible players and world junior team candidates. Guess what? The NCAA isn't any different. There will be no better marketing for North Dakota than when Verhoeff is one of the first few names mentioned two drafts from now. And NCAA programs like North Dakota believe those high-end youngsters can compete against 22- and 23-year-olds. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Reschny and Verhoeff would have been in the top-five per cent of WHL players this coming season. There have been other underage players declare for schools as well. How deep will the NCAA end up taking from when all is said and done? Ten per cent? Will it get to 20 per cent? I asked Cecchini how the CHL could keep players from going the college route and what I got from the QMJHL Commissioner was an answer I never considered. — Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) May 29, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This new way of life for hockey development was a topic on Marek's The Sheet podcast earlier in the week, when QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini was a guest. Marek asked Cecchini point blank whether the teams in the QMJHL, WHL and OHL should consider paying players. 'Well, right now we have a student/athlete status, so we have to be very, very, very careful about that,' Cecchini said. 'But there are sponsoring possibilities. So the teams right now, as we speak, cannot pay them directly, but can a local automotive dealer sponsor a player directly? That's doable and that's possible. That's within the framework that we live in. That's where we may want to turn our hats. 'It's probably one player per team at most. Call them a franchise player, for example, for a term that we know well in sports.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The irony is that they'd have to get it approved by the NCAA so that players can keep their college eligibility. You would think the NCAA would oblige, considering that they're doing exactly that with their Name Image Likeness (NIL) program. For hockey, this a major rethink, and hockey rarely has been one for major rethinks, and that includes in junior. The WHL went from 72-game regular seasons for its teams to 68-game ones in 2018-19 and that proved a much debated endeavour. For decades, the pitch to players from teams in the WHL was that they had a schedule similar to an NHL one, and that got you ready for the next level. The thinking is different now. Fewer games means more time to work on your skills, more time to work on your body in the gym. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Boston University Terriers, with Vancouver Canucks defence prospect Tom Willander helping to lead the way, went to the NCAA championship game as part of their 40 total games this season. Medicine Hat's showdown with London Sunday will mark their 90th game of the campaign. There's also the matter of facilities. North Dakota's Ralph Engelstad Arena features a 1,400 square foot altitude chamber added to its weight room arena in 2021. That's an extreme, but it gives you an idea of what the WHL teams are now competing against. They'll need to find a way. Junior-aged CHLers who have committed to the NCAA for next season: • Malcolm Spence (2025)• Cole Reschny (2025)• Kristian Epperson (2025)• Lev Katzin (2025)• Luke Misa (CGY)• Henry Mews (CGY)• Clarke Caswell (SEA) And the flood gates haven't even opened yet. — Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) May 30, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'For me, North Dakota was top-of-the-line,' Verhoeff told the Grand Forks Gazette. 'It's professional in every aspect of the training, the day-to-day, and the opportunity I was given there was too good to pass up. 'I checked out a couple of other schools. After looking at all the other great programs and schools, North Dakota is the one that spoke to me and I felt at home there.' Verhoeff, who turns 17 in June, is a 6-foot-4, 212-pound right-handed shot and had 21 goals and 45 points in 63 regular season games with the Royals. He finished his high school commitments early. The Athletic's Scott Wheeler had him at No. 5 in a 2026 mock draft he did in April. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound, left-shot Reschny put up 26 goals and 92 points in 62 regular season games with Victoria. Elite Prospects has him at No 22 in its consolidated rankings for this year's draft, led by a No. 13 from TSN's Craig Button. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Left-shot McKenna, who's 6-foot and 165 pounds, tallied 41 times and recorded 129 points in 56 regular season games with the Tigers. He then supplied nine goals and 38 points in 16 regular season games. He's, of course, the consensus projected No. 1 pick for 2026. One-time Canucks forward Byron Ritchie is McKenna's family adviser. He told Postmedia back in March that the NCAA was definitely an option, explaining how he worried about McKenna jumping from the WHL to the NHL after next season, which is what is expected. 'Going from playing 2009s, 2008s and 2007s (16- to 18-year-olds) if he stays, to playing the following year against men who are trying to feed their families and where every puck battle is life or death,' Ritchie said. 'It's a massive step from the Western League to the NHL. Can you ease that transition by having him playing next year against 22- and 23-year-olds?' @SteveEwen SEwen@ News BC Lions Local News Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Cole Reschny
Cole Reschny of the Victoria Royals (Photo Credit: Kevin Light/Victoria Royals/WHL) The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with a pick in each round. Leading up to the draft day, we at The Hockey News will be profiling a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is Victoria Royals center Cole Reschny, who Vancouver could select 15th overall. Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site: Canucks 2024–25 Memorable Matches 3: December 1, 2024 Vancouver Canucks Will Select 15th Overall In The 2025 NHL Entry Draft Canucks Elias Pettersson & Tom Willander Will Not Play For Sweden At The 2025 IIHF World Championship Reschny is an exciting prospect who could be the Canucks future second line center. He recorded 92 points in 62 regular-season games this season in the WHL, and followed it up with 25 points in 11 playoff games. He also helped Canada capture Gold at the 2025 U18s, recording five goals and eight points in five games. Where Reschny thrives is in the offensive zone. Thanks to his smooth skating, he has become a high-end play driver who pulls defenders out of position, opening up scoring chances for his teammates. Reschny is also a very patient player who understands when to wait for passing lanes to open up, rather than forcing high-risk passes that are easily intercepted. One area where Reschny has seen significant growth this season is in the defensive zone. He is winning puck battles more consistently and understands where he needs to be positionally. His development over the past year is a positive sign as it shows that he is committed to learning the defensive side of the game, which should translate to the pro game. The transition game is one part of Reschny's game that he needs to keep improving if he wants to be impactful in the NHL. While he is very good at carrying the puck into the offensive zone, he struggled to start the transition game, whether that be by carrying or passing the puck out of his defensive zone. If he can clean up this area of his play, it will go a long way in helping him become a more complete player. When it comes to Reschny, a lot of the conversation will be on his size. According to the WHL, he is listed as 5'10", 187 lbs, which is on the smaller side. If he can bulk up this off-season and become an overall stronger player, it should help take his game to the next level. Overall, Reschny checks a lot of the boxes that Vancouver should be looking to add to their prospect pool. He is strong at both ends of the ice and has developed into one of the stronger faceoff takers in the WHL. If the Canucks elect to keep the 15th overall pick, using the selection on Reschny would be a wise idea. Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ivankovic perfect as Canada blanks Slovakia 4-0 in semi of under-18 hockey worlds
ALLEN – Jack Ivankovic stopped all 24 shots he faced as Canada blanked Slovakia 4-0 on Friday in the semifinal of the men's under-18 world hockey championship. Cole Reschny and Jack Nesbitt each had a power-play goal in the third period for Canada. Xavier Villeneuve opened scoring in the second and Ryan Roobroeck added some insurance with an even-strength goal with two minutes left to play. Canada will face either Sweden or the United States for gold on Saturday. Michal Pradel made 35 saves for Slovakia. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Slovaks will face the loser of the semi between Sweden and the U.S. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2025.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How Cole Reschny became 2025 NHL draft's most relentless game-changer
Cole Reschny (via Getty Images) Victoria Royals ' 5-foot-10.5 centre Cole Reschny is fast becoming one of the biggest hopefuls on the 2025 NHL Draft prospect list. His remarkable work for the 2024-2025 season, particularly a solid playoff performance and impressive stint with Team Canada during the U18 World Championships , has already drawn him into the hearts of scouts as one of the favorites. With 117 points in 73 games this year, Cole Reschny is proving to the world that he's not only a prospect—he's an NHL superstar in the making. Why Cole Reschny has a dominant WHL presence Cole Reschny Scores OT Winner to Advance (2G)/Radim Mrtka Nice Moves 1A('25 Draft)Highlights 4-30-25 Cole Reschny's play in the 2024-2025 season has been simply exceptional. James Patrick, Cole Reschny's coach, indicated that in his estimation, there was not a Western Hockey League player who played any better than Cole Reschny during the latter part of the season. 'I will say this: I don't know if a player in our league had a better second half than him. (And) I know there's not one player that I can think of who played better in the playoffs. He put this team on his back and his playmaking and compete were elite,' stated James Patrick, looking back on Cole Reschny's key contributions to carrying the Royals into the playoffs. Leaving an instant legacy with team Canada The second his WHL season concluded, Cole Reschny didn't delay in reporting for Team Canada duty at the U18 World Championships. Although reporting late, he was named alternate captain and immediately left his mark. He registered a goal in his first game, a 5-1 win against Finland. Reschny's solid play did not end there, as he logged a two-goal, two-helper performance versus Norway and a game-winner in overtime against Czechia. 'He knows he's going to have to keep at it on and off the ice,' Victoria Royals General Manager Jake Heisinger said. 'I would say in the second half of the season that he was as dominant as any player in the league,' Heisinger described. 'He led us all the way through and when the stakes got higher, he raised his game for the playoffs and he really showed not only where he can take his game to but just how competitive he is, how badly he wants to win.' Cole Reschny's body of work includes more than his ability to score goals. Skating, his strength, as well as being a two-way player, ensures he is very much a prize prospect. Even at just 17 years of age, he has already received compliments on his defensive play, his faceoff work, and his penalty-killing ability. Coaches and trainers, including Adam Huxley, who trained Reschny since he was young, attribute his success to his work ethic and maturity. 'I've been around a lot of the kids in the draft, and I'm not a scout, but I don't think there's a better 200-foot player in the draft. There's not a chance,' Huxley said. Also read: NHL Playoffs: Tension rises as second round sparks fly What's coming for Cole Reschny? Cole Reschny's future has never been brighter. With a complete offseason of training in front of him, Reschny will develop his game some more, placing a focus on increasing his speed and agility. With his enthusiasm for the sport and his dedication to becoming an even better player, he'll be one to watch at the 2025 NHL Draft as well as into the future.
