Tigers target hockey genes in 2026 WHL Prospects Draft

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In the third round, the Tigers took Shane Regher, son of former Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regher.

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“It never hurts to have families that have lived the life”, said Tigers Assistant General Manager Bobby Fox.

“Shane was one of the most improved players I saw all season”, he added.

Scouting these players is an ever-evolving process, with the growth young people experience in their adolescence, the steps players can take from September to April are staggering.

“It would blow you away. It’s one of my favourite parts of the job, seeing these kids grow and develop.”

With the Tigers’ final pick, the club selected Landon Ruck, younger brother of Tiger forwards Liam and Markus Ruck.

“Landon is a great player in his own right; he has tremendous vision.”

The vision and Hockey IQ should come as no surprise for a player whose two twin brothers just led the entire Canadian Hockey League in scoring.

For an organization that prides itself on the character and community involvement of its players, there is no doubt Landon will fit squarely into that identity.

The ever-changing landscape of junior hockey and the influence of the NCAA, it has forced some teams to adapt their draft strategies.

“We targeted guys that we think have a high likelihood of coming here”, Fox quipped.

Other Tigers draft picks include Nash Springer, a 5’11” right-handed defenseman out of McKinney, TX, Luke Bodtker, a Center who hails from Calgary, Alta., Tyler Thomas, a 5’8.5″ defenseman from Lethbridge, Alta., Ryder Lefaivre, a 170-pound winger from Cochrane, Alta., Kelson Hawreluik, a Center from Yorkton, SK, Max Maas, a 6’2″ defenseman from Minnesota, and Nixon McLean, a 5’8″ Center out of Kelowna, BC, and son of Kelowna Rockets all-time leading scorer Brett McLean.

Next up this offseason is the CHL Import Draft in early July.

“We aren’t taking our foot off the gas. We are going to look to target some guys who can come in and have success right away.”