87 Points in 62 Games: Everett's Matias Vanhanen Is Stealing the Spotlight and Our Rivals Are Salivating

Okay, Seattle, listen up. Our frenemies up north, the Vancouver Canucks, are gearing up for the 2026 NHL Draft, and they've got their eyes on a guy who absolutely shredded the WHL right in our backyard: Matias Vanhanen from the Everett Silvertips. I'm talking a potential third-round steal for them, and if he lands with Vancouver, it's going to sting for us Kraken faithful. The dude's a certified playmaker, and his rookie season numbers are just ridiculous. Get ready to be annoyed, Emerald City.

This Kid's Stats Are Absolutely Unhinged

This 18-year-old Finnish phenom, Vanhanen, made the move to the WHL this year, and man, did it pay off. He dropped a mind-blowing 87 points in just 62 games during his rookie regular season. EIGHTY-SEVEN points! And he wasn't done there, adding another 24 points in 18 playoff games. That kind of production helped the Silvertips clinch a Memorial Cup spot for the *first time ever* in franchise history. At the Memorial Cup itself, Vanhanen was tied for second in scoring with eight points, scoring in four of his five games and even making the All-Star Team. He had one of the most successful Memorial Cup performances by a Finnish player in CHL history, which is saying something. Oh, and he also repped Finland at the 2026 World Juniors, snagging six assists in seven games and leading all Finnish forwards in average ice time at nearly 20 minutes a night. The kid's a beast on the international stage too, playing in tournaments like the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The Playmaking Threat That Rivals Dream Of

So, what makes Vanhanen such a problem for opposing defenses, and why are the Canucks looking to snag him with one of their ten draft picks, possibly 78th overall? It's all about his insane playmaking. Once he's in the offensive zone, he's like a sniper with the puck, finding open teammates and delivering those perfect tape-to-tape passes to create scoring chances. When he decides to shoot, he doesn't waste it, driving straight to the slot area. Even in transition, he's hitting teammates in stride as they approach the blue line and creating smart dump-ins so his linemates can beat defenders to loose pucks. He's always assessing the play and looking for open ice. Listed at 5'11" and 176 lbs, his future is still a bit hazy for next season, but if he returns to the WHL, he's got the potential to finish in the top 10 for league scoring. This guy's a re-entry into the draft, but his 2025-26 season proved he's a legit talent. Look, seeing our rivals get their hands on a local talent like Vanhanen, especially one who's already shown he can dominate right here in the Pacific Northwest, is tough to swallow. The Canucks have 10 picks, and if he's sitting there in the third round, they're going to grab him. We'll have to keep an eye on this kid, Emerald City. He's got the potential to be a real thorn in the Kraken's side for years to come.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.