Locally we are fortunate to have the Major Junior WHL Vancouver club based out of Delta and having the luxury to cover them on a regular basis they continue to find the “hidden jem” that escalates their career to the pro level of the game.
We received the following from the Giants and wanted to share and wish them all the best.
Enjoy the read.
Five Vancouver Giants players have been listed by NHL Central Scouting on their preliminary players to watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft: defenceman Ryan Lin (A rating), forward Tyus Sparks (C Rating), forward Tobias Tomik (C Rating), forward Aaron Obobaifo (W rating) and forward Brett Olson (W rating).
NHL Central Scouting announced the list – a compilation of draft-eligible prospects from all the major development leagues throughout North America and Europe – on Monday morning.
Players with A ratings are considered potential first-round picks. Players with B ratings are considered possible second or third-round choices; those with C ratings are potential fourth or fifth-round candidates; players with a W rating are possible sixth and seventh-round picks.
Below is where the players were ranked:
| Rating | Last Name | First Name | Hometown | Ht | Wt | Pos |
| A | Lin | Ryan | Richmond, B.C. | 5’11 | 177 | D |
| C | Sparks | Tyus | Boisa, Idaho | 5’11 | 182 | RW |
| C | Tomik | Tobias | Trencin, Slovakia | 6’0 | 194 | LW |
| W | Obobaifo | Aaron | Calgary, Alta. | 5’10 | 175 | LW |
| W | Olson | Brett | Spruce Grove, Alta. | 6’2 | 190 | C |
Lin (Richmond, B.C.) had already been publicly listed as an ‘A’ prospect, after he was the first WHL player named to team CHL for November CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
Lin (16) was WHL Rookie of the Year finalist last year finishing the season with 53 points in 60 games becoming just the second rookie WHL defenceman aged 16 or younger to hit the 50-point mark in 35 years.
His 53 points rank seventh among U-17 defencemen in the entire CHL since 1990.
The right-shot blueliner has 13 points already in the 2025-26 season on three goals and 10 assists, which ranks first among all WHL defencemen.
Internationally, Lin has won three medals with Hockey Canada: bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, gold at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship and gold at the 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge with Canada White.
Sparks (Boise, ID) played for the Giants as a 16-year-old last season, registering 11 goals and 17 points in 53 games.
He has taken a massive step this year, currently with nine points (4G-5A) in 12 games. All nine points have come at even-strength. The right-winger has a lethal shot and has gotten noticeably quicker.
Tomik (Trencin, Slovakia) joined the Giants this season after playing in the Slovakian professional league for HK Dukla Trencin, where he scored six goals and added a pair of assists for eight points in 40 games.
He also recorded 11 points in seven games in the U20 Slovakian league last year, on four goals and seven assists. Tomik has six points (3G-3A) so far for the Giants in his first season in North America.
Obobaifo (Calgary, Alta.) was limited to just 13 games played last season – his first year of draft eligibility – where he put up 10 points (6G-4A).
This season, he has recorded six points (2G-4A) through 12 games. Like Sparks, Obobaifo is also much quicker this season and has been moved to centre.
Olson (Spruce Grove, Alta.) for the Giants as a 16-year-old last season, registering 15 points (4G-11A) in 64 games.
This season, he has five points (2G-3A) in 12 games, but he has always been defensively responsible.
Lin is one of seven players developed in the WHL that earned an ‘A’ rating, along with defencemen Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars and Daxon Rudolph of the Prince Albert Raiders; forwards JP Hurlbert of the Kamloops Blazers and Mathis Preston of the Spokane Chiefs; and former WHL players Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat Tigers) and Keaton Verhoeff (Victoria Royals).
————————————————————————————————–
Vancouver Giants netminder Burke Hood has been named the Mary Brown’s Chicken WHL Goaltender of the Week for the week ending Sunday, October 19, 2025, the Western Hockey League announced Monday.
Hood went 2-0-0-0 this past weekend with a 1.50 goals-against average and .955 save percentage, stopping 64 of 67 shots thrown his way in the two games.
The 18-year-old New York Islanders draft pick was named the second star of the night in a 5-2 Giants win over the Wenatchee Wild on Friday. Hood steered aside 35 of 37 shots.
He followed it up with a clutch performance against the defending champion Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday, stopping 29 shots thrown his way, including 14 second period saves. Hood was only beaten once in a 3-1 win.
Brandon, Man. product is 3-0-0 in his last three starts with a .949 save percentage. On the season, he now holds a 5-4-0 record with a 3.84 G.A.A. and a .879 save percentage.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound goalie recently appeared in his 50th career game. Hood is now 24-17-6 in 51 career games with a 3.26 G.A.A. and .905 save percentage.
The Giants (5-6-0-1) now have points in four straight (3-0-0-1) and play next on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at home against the Portland Winterhawks for Hockey Fights Cancer night.
Advertise With Sportswave
About Sportswave
SICAMOUS HOUSEBOATS
Delta Islanders Jr. A Lacrosse
North Delta Business Association
