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Tigers' Bryce Pickford Named WHL Player of the Year

The Canadiens prospect scored 45 goals from the blue line, the most by a WHL defenceman since the 1987-88 season.

NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Bryce Pickford skates to the bench after scoring his 33rd goal of the season, finding the back of the net in a 7-3 win Jan. 16 at Co-op Place over the Edmonton Oil Kings.
NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB Medicine Hat Tigers captain Bryce Pickford celebrates after scoring in Game 5 of the first-round series with the Regina Pats on March 4 at Co-op Place. Pickford was named the recipient of the WHL's Four Broncos Memorial Trophy on Wednesday, tabbed as the player of the year for 2025-26.

Overview

  • Medicine Hat captain Bryce Pickford was named WHL Player of the Year, one day after he won the Bill Hunter Trophy as the league’s top defenceman.
  • Pickford posted 45 goals and 83 points in 55 games, a rare scoring pace for a defenceman.
  • His 45 goals are the most by a WHL blueliner since Greg Hawgood’s 48 in 1987-88 and they broke the Tigers record previously held by Kris Russell.
  • He finished second among CHL defencemen in points behind partner Jonas Woo, and Tigers forwards Liam and Markus Ruck were also finalists for the MVP award.
  • Medicine Hat now has back-to-back WHL Players of the Year after Gavin McKenna in 2025, a streak last matched by the Calgary Hitmen in 2008 and 2009.