White Rock Whalers celebrate their annual “Grad Night” at Centennial Arena

With the 2025-26 PJHL playoffs right around the corner, the White Rock Whalers hosted their final regular-season home game on February 14th against the visiting Cloverdale Hockey Club at Centennial Arena. The Whalers’ 44th (final) regular season game was the “Whalers Grad Night”, where the organization celebrated the junior hockey careers of their three 20-year old players. Each of the three players were honoured in a special pre-game ceremony before the action got going on this exciting night at Centennial Arena.

Before looking back at the pre-game ceremonies and each of the three Whalers grads, here’s a quick recap of the game itself at Centennial Arena on February 14^th. The 1st place White Rock Whalers hosted the 5th-place Cloverdale Hockey Club, with both teams locked into their current position in the standings. The Whalers and Cloverdale made some lineup changes for this final game, giving a few players in their system a chance to appear in a PJHL game.

There was some physicality this game, but you could tell that both teams were looking ahead to the playoffs. The Whalers took home a 4-0 victory, as Whalers goaltender Landon Garbitt was perfect, making 28 saves to secure the shutout and 1st Star. All three Whalers grads got on the scoresheet, as #18 Wendell Adriano picked up an assist, while #22 Aiden McGregor-Bennett and #89 Max Kovach each scored a goal in their final regular-season game.

The win further extended a new Whalers regular-season record for wins in a season, as the Whalers won their 34^th game in the 44-game regular season. The win was nice, but the night was highlighted by the pre-game ceremonies for the Whalers graduates.

The three graduating Whalers players (born in 2005) are #22 Aiden McGregor-Bennett, #89 Max Kovach and #18 Wendell Adriano. All three are set to become a part of the White Rock Whalers alumni.

Prior to the game, I reached out to the graduates, asking them about their favourite memory as a Whaler, their favourite all-time minor hockey memory, their plans after this hockey season, and a lesson or skill that they’ll take away with them for the rest of their lives that they learned during their time with the Whalers. Here’s a look at your three graduating Whalers players and their responses to the questions above.

Aiden McGregor-Bennett | No. 22

Aiden began his PJHL career with two full seasons with the Delta Ice Hawks, followed by a brief time with the Port Coquitlam Trailblazers before playing two seasons with the White Rock Whalers.

Aiden appeared in 66 games with the Whalers (prior to the February 14th game), scoring 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points.

Aiden’s favourite memory as a Whaler was being able to meet so many great people and create memories that will last a lifetime with the players, coaches, staff, and the fans. Looking back at his favourite all-time minor hockey memory, Aiden said it was in his second year bantam, when he was able to win a tournament in front of his grandparents, a special moment for him. After the hockey season is over, Aiden plans to work while also going to school for his red seal, and he hopes to possibly return to the Whalers next season to help out around the team.

Aiden learnt a lot as a Whaler, but he said learning resilience was the most impactful, getting knocked down and being able to come back stronger and better than before is something he’ll carry forward forever.

Max Kovach | No. 89

Max played his junior hockey with the Valley West Giants and the Cloverdale Colts, before starting his PJHL career with a half season with the Delta Ice Hawks, followed by two a half seasons with the Whalers. Max spent a brief time with the Langley Trappers and then returned to the Whalers this season.

Throughout Max’s three and a half seasons with the Whalers, Max played in 144 games, scoring 33 goals and 63 assists for 96 points.

Max’s favourite memory as a Whaler (other than this whole year altogether), was beating the Richmond Sockeyes in a reverse sweep in his rookie season. Max’s favourite minor hockey memory of any kind was winning his high school hockey championship in his grade 12 year. After this season, Max, who is currently in his 3rd year at SFU Beedie, plans on specializing in finance. Max hopes to make it a career, and he’s also hoping to study abroad in Austria in 2027. In terms of hockey, Max might be playing for the BCIHL SFU team next season.

Something that Max will take away with him from his time as a Whaler was how much a good team culture contributes to success.

Wendell Adriano | No. 18

Wendell started his PJHL career with half a season with the Chilliwack Jets, followed by one and a half seasons with the Aldergrove Kodiaks and one and half seasons with the Surrey Knights before joining the White Rock Whalers this season as the captain.

This season with the Whalers, Wendell played in 40 games, scoring 29 goals and 39 assists to lead the Whalers with 68 points. In 180 career PJHL games, Wendell has 182 points.

Wendell’s favourite moments as a Whaler was anytime they played the Surrey Knights. Wendell got to compete against teammates and friends he’s played with since he was five years old. Especially this season, the “Battle of Surrey” between the top two teams in the conference have always seemed to have extra energy and meaning to him.

One of Wendell’s favourite memories was in his second year with Surrey Thunder Atom A1 when he scored a buzzer-beater goal with 7.6 second left to win the game 6-5 against Seafair A1.

Wendell’s favourite moments as a Whaler was anytime they played the Surrey Knights. Wendell got to compete against teammates and friends he’s played with since he was five years old. Especially this season, the “Battle of Surrey” between the top two teams in the conference have always seemed to have extra energy and meaning to him.

After each player had their moment in the spotlight, they were called up one by one to take photos and collect their green Whalers jersey alongside volunteers and family members.

The presenters at centre ice were Erin McNally, who works at the front desk and is the 50/50 guru, Lou Fuchs, who works at the front desk and has been a volunteer in the PJHL for over 26 years, and Tate Sylvestre, known as the “beer garden hero” on Whalers game nights. Each graduate also had one of their teammates present them with a “150 Games” recognition award.  

Earlier in the ceremonies, Whalers head coach David Rutherford presented Whalers forward Jacob Roche with a “100 Games” commemorative Whalers backpack. Shortly after, Travis Smythe, current Cloverdale assistant coach and former White Rock Whalers teammate joined Zach at centre ice to present him with his game-worn jersey from the 2022-23 season, in recognition of his time (four seasons) as a Whaler. After the night was complete, the White Rock Whalers began looking ahead to their round 1 playoff matchup against the Aldergrove Ironmen. White Rock hosts the Ironmen for game 1 on Monday, February 16^th at 3:00 pm.

A big thank you from everyone at the White Rock Whalers organization for another successful “grad night”, and a big congratulations to the three graduating players on their successful junior hockey careers.