Wenatchee Wild
The Wenatchee Wild are an American major junior ice hockey team based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team will begin play in the 2023–24 WHL season.
| Wenatchee Wild | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Wenatchee, Washington |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Division | U.S. |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Home arena | Town Toyota Center |
| Colors | Blue, black, and white |
| Owner(s) | David White |
| General manager | Bliss Littler |
| Head coach | Roy Sommer[1] |
| Media | NewsRadio 560 KPQ |
| Website | chl |
| Franchise history | |
| 1996–1998 | Edmonton Ice |
| 1998–2019 | Kootenay Ice |
| 2019–2023 | Winnipeg Ice |
| 2023–present | Wenatchee Wild |
History
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.
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
Updated October 10, 2023.[6]
| # | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace | Drafted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} |
Steven Arp | LW | R | 19 | 2022 | Swan River, Manitoba | Undrafted |
| 26 | |
Chase Bambrick | D | R | 16 | 2021 | Nelson, British Columbia | Eligible 2025 |
| 9 | |
Zach Benson | C | L | 18 | 2020 | Chilliwack, British Columbia | 2023, 13th Overall, BUF |
| 4 | |
Ashton Brown | C | R | 16 | 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 | |
Ashton Cumby | D | L | 18 | 2020 | Bonnyville, Alberta | Undrafted |
| 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 |
| 28 | |
Conor Geekie | C | L | 19 | 2019 | Strathclair, Manitoba | 2022, 11th Overall, ARI |
| 31 | |
Daniel Hauser | G | L | 19 | 2019 | Chestermere, Alberta | Undrafted |
| 86 |  |
Kent Isogai | LW | L | 19 | 2023 | Nagano, Japan | Undrafted |
| 11 |  |
Gabe Ludwig | C | L | 19 | 2023 | Eagle River, Alaska | Undrafted |
| 25 | |
Kyle Marsden | D | R | 17 | 2021 | Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador | Eligible 2024 |
| 7 | |
Turner McIntyre | RW | R | 17 | 2021 | St. Albert, Alberta | Eligible 2024 |
| 18 | |
Hayden Moore | C | R | 17 | 2021 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Eligible 2024 |
| 55 | |
Karter Prosofsky | D | R | 20 | 2018 | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | Undrafted |
| 20 | |
Kurt Rookes | D | L | 18 | 2023 | Manson, Manitoba | Undrafted |
| 93 | |
Matthew Savoie | RW | R | 19 | 2019 | St. Albert, Alberta | 2022, 9th Overall, BUF |
| 14 | |
Dawson Seitz | C | R | 18 | 2023 | Medicine Hat, Alberta | Undrafted |
| 27 | |
Luka Shcherbyna | C | R | 17 | 2023 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Eligible 2024 |
| 44 | |
Graham Sward | D | L | 20 | 2022 | Abbotsford, British Columbia | 2022, 146th Overall, NSH |
| 21 | |
Wyatt Wilson | D | R | 20 | 2022 | Swift Current, Saskatchewan | Undrafted |
| 8 | |
Jonas Woo | D | R | 16 | 2021 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | Eligible 2025 |
| 2 | |
Landon Young | D | L | 17 | 2021 | Edmonton, Alberta | Eligible 2024 |
References
- "Wild hire AHL's winningest coach Roy Sommer". chl.ca. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- "WHL announces relocation of Winnipeg ICE franchise to Wenatchee, Washington for 2023-24 season – WHL Network". Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- "Wild Announce Hiring of Kevin Constantine As Team's First Head Coach in WHL Era". Wenatchee Wild. July 13, 2023.
- "WHL suspends Wild head coach Kevin Constantine due to 'alleged violation' of policies". Wenatchee World. September 26, 2023.
- Rocca, Taylor (September 25, 2023). "WHL announces suspension of Kevin Constantine". Western Hockey League. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
- "WHL Network". Western Hockey League. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
