Nov. 10, 2026 – Helping lead a charge up the standings from a resurgent Manitoba Bisons team, Skyler Bruce has been named the first Western Hockey League Grad of the Month for the 2026-27 season.
The Winnipeg product has gotten off to a blistering start for his hometown club, leading the conference in October with six goals and six helpers in eight games played.
His offensive production has been key to a fast start for the Bisons, as the Herd went 6-2 during the opening month of the season - including wins over perennial title contenders in UBC and Saskatchewan.
Bruce is now in his third Canada West season after enjoying a productive WHL career that spanned parts of six seasons. Drafted by the Kootenay Ice in the 2018 WHL Draft, he made his debut with the franchise during the 2018-19 campaign. He went on to play 136 games with the organization, with all but one coming after its relocation to his hometown of Winnipeg. Bruce also suited up for the Vancouver Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings, recording 37 points in 40 games with the Oil Kings during the 2023-24 season.
\nSince returning home to play for the Bisons, Bruce has established himself as one of the Herd's most consistent offensive threats. He enjoyed a dynamic rookie campaign, recording 28 points in 25 games, before adding another 24 points last season.
Bruce and the Herd will look to build on their strong start as Manitoba pursues its first Canada West playoff appearance since 2019-20. The Bisons currently sit second in the West Division, four points behind first-place Saskatchewan.
Bruce is utilizing his WHL Scholarship to pursue an Architecture degree at the University of Manitoba. For each season played in the WHL, a player is awarded a one-year post-secondary scholarship, which includes tuition, compulsory fees, and required textbooks.
In partnership with Canada West universities, numerous WHL Scholarship recipients each year are also awarded additional financial assistance from their university to receive Western Canada’s premier hockey scholarship.
Since 1993, the WHL has awarded nearly 8,000 scholarships to graduate players. The WHL is the leading supplier of hockey scholarships in Western Canada and offers one of the most comprehensive scholarships in North America.
\nAbout WHL Grad of the Month
The WHL Grad of the Month is a partnership between the WHL and Canada West, recognizing former WHL players excelling in the classroom and on the ice at the U SPORTS level. Coaches from all nine Canada West programs vote to select the recipient each month. All nominees must have played at least one full season in the WHL and be in good standing in Canada West.
About Canada West
As the leading university athletic conference in the country, Canada West is home to student-athletes who excel in the classroom and their communities. The conference is comprised of 18 member institutions spanning from Victoria to Winnipeg, with over 3,200 student-athletes competing across 14 sports. Canada West’s mission is to train leaders and build champions by providing leadership in the delivery, regulation, and promotion of university level high performance sports programs throughout western Canada.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 23 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
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