Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus named CHL Player of the Year

The best in the Canadian Hockey League were honored on Saturday, including one of the most dynamic players in junior hockey this year, taking home a couple of pieces of hardware.

Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus was named the David Branch Player of the Year Award. The Moose Jaw Warriors star was dominant from the beginning of the season on, becoming the first player in franchise history to earn the honor, which is named after the OHL Commissioner David Branch.

Firkus led the CHL with 61 goals and 65 assists for 126 points in 63 regular-season games, earning the Top Scorer Award as well. He was the only player in the league to hit both the 60-goal and 60-assist mark this year. Firkus is the second Warrior to lead the CHL in points, with Jayden Halbgewachs leading the league with 129 points during the 2017-18 season.

Firkus’ play helped Moose Jaw win the franchise’s first Ed Chynoweth Cup as Western Hockey League champions, and made it as far as the semifinal in the team’s first Memorial Cup appearance.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the winners at this year’s CHL Awards:

Defenceman of the Year Award: Zayne Parekh (Saginaw, OHL)

One of the highly-rated blueliners heading into this year’s NHL Draft, Parekh was a dominant force for the Saginaw Spirit this season. Ranked No. 5 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Parekh led all CHL defenseman with 96 points this season, scoring 33 goals and 63 assists in 66 games. After leading Saginaw in scoring during the regular season, the 18-year-old has been a key part of the team’s path to the Memorial Cup Final.

Rookie of the Year: Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat, WHL)

McKenna really burst onto the scene this year, both in the WHL and internationally. With the Tigers, the 2026 NHL Draft-eligible prospect finished second in rookie scoring in the Western League, scoring 34 goals and 97 points in 61 games, good for 12th in overall scoring. McKenna, one of the youngest players in the CHL this season, also set the record for most points by a Canadian at the IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship, scoring 20 points in seven games.

Top Draft Prospect Award: Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat, WHL)

McKenna’s teammate is one of the most sought-after players heading into this year’s draft, thanks to his incredible season. Lindstrom might’ve missed sometime due to a shoulder injury, but was exceptional when he was in the lineup, scoring 46 points in 32 games. His 1.44 points per game was the highest by a Tiger since Joffrey Lupul averaged 1.47 points a game during the 2001-02 season. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis has Lindstrom ranked eighth in his latest draft rankings.

Goaltender of the Year: William Rousseau (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL)

One of the most consistent goaltenders in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League, let alone the CHL, was Rousseau. He finished tied for third in the CHL with 34 wins. The first-ever Husky to win the award led the ‘Q’ with a 2.24 goals-against average and eight shutouts.

Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award: Jean-François Grégoire (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

There might not have been a bigger surprise in the QMJHL than the Drakkar, and that is all thanks to the work of Grégoire. Even though they had a talented team, no one could’ve predicted the team would lead the CHL with 53 wins. The 53 victories, along with 25 wins on the road, are the most in franchise history.

Sportsman of the Year: Brayden Yager (Moose Jaw, WHL)

Yager had a career year with the Warriors, scoring 35 goals and 95 points in 57 games. He did all that while amassing just 20 penalty minutes as well. It was the second time Yager hit the 30-goal mark in his WHL career. The Pittsburgh Penguins prospect also scored 27 points in 20 playoff games, before scoring six points at the Memorial Cup.

Scholastic Player of the Year: Noah Chadwick (Lethbridge, WHL)

The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect graduated Grade 12 a year early, and already began taking college courses at Athabasca University and Lethbridge College. Chadwick was honored with the Governor General Award at his high school graduation. On the ice, he had a career year with 12 goals and 44 assists for 56 points in 66 games.

Humanitarian of the Year Award: Mascon Vaccari (Kingston, OHL)

Mississauga native Vaccari helped raise over $13,200 through his “Mason’s Miracles” initiative, with the proceeds going to the Pediatric Wing at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. The 19-year-old netminder donated $0.50 of his own money for each save he made this season, with the Frontenac finishing fourth in the OHL with 1,458 saves. His efforts brought members of the Kingston community together to donate to the cause. Vaccari also made time to visit the KHSC during the season, making personal connections with the children.