Giants/WHL News

The Vancouver Giants announced today that 20-year-old defenceman Derek Thurston (Delta, B.C.) has been named the 25th captain in franchise history.

“We had a good chat as a coaching staff about looking for somebody who embodied the identity we want to create here,” Giants Head Coach and General Manager Michael Dyck said. “We talked to the players as well, looking for common threads, and I think that’s what we found.

”Derek leads by example. He leads from the front. His actions speak much louder than words. He’s not a talkative guy, but when he does talk, people listen.”

Joining Thurston on the leadership group for the 2026-27 season are: Blake Chorney (Nipawin, Sask.), Jakob Oreskovic (Langley, B.C.) and Mathis Preston (Penticton, B.C.). All three will be full-time alternates.

“We felt that we were looking for guys that could make an impact in the room in different ways,” Dyck added. “I think they each bring something different…Jake’s got experience. He’s been here a long time. He’s played a really solid two-way game. I think Blake is an up-and-comer. It’s a good thing to have a leader who’s a younger guy and a conduit to some of the younger players, but still has the respect of the older guys. And I think Mathis is a game-breaker. I think he can lead from the front as well.”

Thurston said the opportunity to lead his hometown team is one he doesn’t take for granted.

“Being named captain in my hometown, especially in my final year as a 20-year-old, means a lot to me,” Thurston said. “I grew up watching the Giants, so getting the opportunity to lead this team is really special. I’m grateful to the organization, my teammates and everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m excited to make the most of it and have a great year with the guys.”

Thurston was acquired from the Saskatoon Blades this offseason and has suited up in 132 career regular season games, posting 26 points (10G-16A).

Last year he was an alternate captain with the Red Deer Rebels, but was limited to 23 games between the Rebels and Blades.

Chorney is in his second year with the Giants and was the team’s Rookie of the Year and Scholastic Player of the Year in 2025-26. He was Vancouver’s lone full-time 16-year-old last season, producing 20 points (8G-12A).

Oreskovic has played 167 career games, all with the Giants, the most games played in a Giants uniform among current roster players. The former first-round pick is coming off a career-high 40-point season where he contributed in all situations.

Preston is entering his third WHL season and first full year as a Giant producing at nearly a point-per-game in his career thus far, with 93 points (45G-48A) in 105 career games and was a second round pick of the Anaheim Ducks this summer.

WHL News

The WHL sent out a press release stating that the Colorado Avalanche prospect Beckett Hamilton (18 5’ 11 175 lbs) from Saskatoon was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week and managed to record five points (4G-1A) and a plus-2 rating, helping the Rebels go 2-0-0-0 over the weekend. 

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound forward was returned to the Rebels on September 22 after attending training camp with the Avalanche. 

Making his season debut Friday, September 25, the Rebels captain wasted no time making an impact, posting a hat trick in his return as Red Deer edged the Lethbridge Hurricanes by a 4-3 score. 

Hamilton opened the scoring 3:26 into the first period, before adding a power-play marker 12:44 into the first period to give Red Deer a 2-1 advantage. Late in the second period with the game tied 3-3, Hamilton registered a shorthanded goal that went on to stand as the game winner. 

He was named first star of the night after scoring in every facet of the game – even strength, power play, and shorthanded. 

Saturday, September 26, in Medicine Hat, Hamilton notched a goal and an assist to lead the Rebels past the Tigers by a score of 3-1. In the first period, Hamilton set up Patrick Sopiarz to open the scoring 7:38 into the festivities. 

With the game tied one Hamilton recorded his second consecutive game-winning goal with only 5:53 remaining in regulation again being named the games first star. 

With five points to his credit, Hamilton is tied for eighth across the entire WHL. His four goals have him tied for second across the League, trailing only Hunter Laing of the Saskatoon Blades and his five goals. 

Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round (74th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft, Hamilton led the Rebels in scoring during the 2025-26 season, collecting a career best 62 points (24G-38A) in 67 games. 

A first-round pick (18th overall) of the Red Deer Rebels in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Hamilton is entering his third WHL season, having registered 92 points (42G-50A) in 139 career regular season outings. 

Hamilton and the Rebels (2-1-0-1) return to action Wednesday, September 30, when they travel east to face the Prince Albert Raiders (1-3-0-0) at the Art Hauser Centre.