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CHL Playoff Preview: All 6 Canucks CHL prospects set for playoffs
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Photo credit: Robert John Boucher/Kingston Frontenacs
Dave Hall
Mar 23, 2026, 13:45 EDTUpdated: Mar 23, 2026, 13:46 EDT
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The 2025–26 CHL regular season officially came to a close on Sunday, setting the stage for each league’s respective playoff runs. The Vancouver Canucks currently have six prospects playing across the CHL, with all six advancing to the postseason.

Riley Patterson — Niagara IceDogs, OHL

The Niagara IceDogs finished seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 32-30-4-2 record (70 points). They will face the second-seeded Barrie Colts — Riley Patterson’s former team — in the opening round.
Full schedule:
(2) Barrie Colts vs. (7) Niagara IceDogs
  • Game 1 – Thursday, March 26 at Barrie, 4:00 PM
  • Game 2 – Saturday, March 28 at Barrie, 4:30 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Niagara, 4:00 PM
  • Game 4 – Thursday, April 2 at Niagara, 4:00 PM
  • Game 5 – Saturday, April 4 at Barrie, 4:30 PM*
  • Game 6 – Monday, April 6 at Niagara, 4:00 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Barrie, 4:00 PM*
    *if necessary
Patterson wrapped up a career year with 84 points (40 goals, 44 assists) in 60 games. His 40 goals ranked tied for third in the OHL, while his 1.40 points-per-game average ranked eighth league-wide. He finished 24 points ahead of the next IceDogs skater and led the team in nearly every offensive category. He also posted a 53.5% faceoff win rate across 1,008 draws. Signed to an NHL deal, it’s expected that he will join the Abbotsford Canucks for the 2026-27 season.

Gabriel Chiarot — Kitchener Rangers, OHL

The Kitchener Rangers were the Western Conference champions, finishing atop the conference with a 47-14-5-2 record and 101 points — second-best in the OHL. They will take on the eighth-seeded Saginaw Spirit in Round One.
Full schedule:
(1) Kitchener Rangers vs. (8) Saginaw Spirit
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Kitchener, 4:00 PM
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at Kitchener, 4:00 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Saginaw, 4:05 PM
  • Game 4 – Thursday, April 2 at Saginaw, 4:05 PM
  • Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at Kitchener, 4:00 PM*
  • Game 6 – Monday, April 6 at Saginaw, 4:05 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Kitchener, 4:00 PM*
    *if necessary
After being acquired from the Brampton Steelheads — who missed the playoffs — at the CHL trade deadline, Gabe Chiarot now finds himself in a strong position for a deep run. While his offensive numbers dipped slightly following the trade, he finished his draft-plus-one season with 36 points (20 goals, 16 assists) and 78 penalty minutes in 62 games. His abrasive style of hockey should be a welcome addition to the team’s third line, where he has been utilized over the last few weeks.

Kieren Dervin — Kingston Frontenacs, OHL

The Kingston Frontenacs secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 33-30-3-2 record (71 points), finishing the year on a 7-3-0-0 run. They will face the third-seeded Ottawa 67’s in Round One.
Full schedule:
(3) Ottawa 67’s vs. (6) Kingston Frontenacs
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Ottawa, 4:00 PM\
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at Ottawa, 12:00 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Kingston, 4:05 PM
  • Game 4 – Thursday, April 2 at Kingston, 4:05 PM
  • Game 5 – Saturday, April 4 at Ottawa, 4:00 PM*
  • Game 6 – Monday, April 6 at Kingston, 4:05 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Ottawa, 4:00 PM*
    *if necessary
In his first full OHL season, Dervin finished third on the Frontenacs with 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 53 games. He also co-led the team with five game-winning goals and posted a 44.4% faceoff rate while centring a top-six role. Although his point totals are somewhat modest, he’s shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season and carries soft hands and a strong shot. He’s committed to Penn State for the 2026-27 season.

Aleksei Medvedev — London Knights, OHL

The London Knights closed the regular season strong, going 7-3-0-0 down the stretch to secure fourth place in the Western Conference. They will face the fifth-seeded Soo Greyhounds in the opening round for a mid-table clash.
Full schedule:
(4) London Knights vs. (5) Soo Greyhounds
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at London, 4:00 PM
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at London, 3:00 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Sault Ste. Marie, 4:07 PM
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Sault Ste. Marie, 4:07 PM
  • Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at London, 4:00 PM*
  • Game 6 – Sunday, April 5 at Sault Ste. Marie, 4:07 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at London, 4:00 PM*
    *if necessary
After a strong start to the season as one of the top goaltenders, Aleksei Medvedev saw his role decrease down the stretch after a tough second half. He finished his draft-plus-one regular season with a 16-15-2-1 record, a 3.26 goals-against average, and a .891 save percentage. At 18 years old, it’s likely he enters the postseason in a secondary role behind the Knights’ current starter, Sebastian Gatto.

Braeden Cootes — Prince Albert Raiders, WHL

The Prince Albert Raiders finished atop the Eastern Conference with a dominant 52-10-5-1 record and enter the playoffs on a six-game winning streak. They will take on the eighth-seeded Red Deer Rebels.
Full schedule:
(1) Prince Albert Raiders vs. (8) Red Deer Rebels
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Prince Albert, 6:00 PM
  • Game 2 – Sunday, March 29 at Prince Albert, 6:00 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Red Deer, 6:00 PM
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Red Deer, 6:00 PM
  • Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at Prince Albert, 6:00 PM*
  • Game 6 – Sunday, April 5 at Red Deer, 3:00 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Prince Albert, 6:00 PM*
    *if necessary
Braeden Cootes enjoyed a standout season split between Seattle and Prince Albert. Despite playing in 15 fewer games, he matched his previous career high with 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in just 45 games. He finished tied for third on the Raiders in total points while dominating the field with a 1.40 points-per-game rate. He also ranked sixth in the WHL with a 59.6% faceoff win rate across 661 draws. It’s expected to be Cootes’ final season at the junior level.

Parker Alcos — Kelowna Rockets, WHL

The Kelowna Rockets finished fourth in the Western Conference and will take on the fifth-seeded Kamloops Blazers in Round One. As Memorial Cup hosts, Kelowna has already secured a berth in the tournament.
Full schedule:
(4) Kelowna Rockets vs. (5) Kamloops Blazers
  • Game 1 – Friday, March 27 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM
  • Game 2 – Saturday, March 28 at Kelowna, 6:05 PM
  • Game 3 – Tuesday, March 31 at Kamloops, 7:00 PM
  • Game 4 – Wednesday, April 1 at Kamloops, 7:00 PM
  • Game 5 – Friday, April 3 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM*
  • Game 6 – Saturday, April 4 at Kamloops, 6:00 PM*
  • Game 7 – Tuesday, April 7 at Kelowna, 7:05 PM*
    *if necessary
Parker Alcos posted a career year, doubling his previous point totals to finish with 30 points (five goals, 25 assists) in 63 games. He also ranked second on the team with a plus-43 rating and finished seventh among all WHL defencemen in that category. It will be a long spring for the Port Moody native, who will leave the CHL level for the NCAA in 2026-27 as a Quinnipiac commit.
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