Portland Winterhawks alternate captain Alex Weiermair has put pen to paper on a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.

“It’s unbelievable,” Weiermair said. “If you had told me this almost a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’m just so thankful to everyone who has helped me along the way. It starts with my parents, mentors, coaches, and this organization. I’m super happy and thankful, but hopefully it’s just the beginning.”

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound forward leads the WHL’s Winterhawks with 32 goals (including four game winners) and 43 assists for 75 points in 57 games.

Weiermair also ranks 10th among all WHL skaters in points and 14th in goals, while sitting third in faceoff wins with 663.

“As an organization, we are excited for Alex and the opportunity with the Vegas Golden Knights,” Portland president and GM Mike Johnston said. “He has worked extremely hard and taken advantage of the last year in Portland to showcase his pro potential. His leadership on and off the ice has had a major impact on our group.”

The Los Angeles native and Los Angeles Jr. Kings product has made a splash in the Pacific Northwest since leaving the University of Denver midway through the 2024-25 season.

His rookie run in Portland saw Weiermair bag 46 points (21 goals-25 assists) in 41 games.

He also added 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 18 playoff games to help the Hawks reach the 2025 Western Conference Championship, highlighted by a hat trick in Game 3 and a goal and helper in Game 7 of a wild first-round series against the rival Prince George Cougars.

Vegas rolled the dice and snapped him up with the 186th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft.

“Portland has been unbelievable,” Weiermair added. “It started six years ago, Coach (Kyle) Gustafson coached me in a minor hockey tournament, so we developed a relationship then. Portland has been a huge part of my development. I’m super happy to have been drafted here and have the opportunity to play here and develop.”

Now 20 years old, Weiermair is nearing his 100th game in the league with 98 tilts and 121 points (53G-68A) under his belt.

Johnston also sees plenty of parallels between Weiermair and another WHL graduate who captained the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup in 2023.

“Alex is all power,” Johnston explained. “He’s a power forward, a great two-way center, really protects the puck well, has phenomenal hockey sense and skill. I compare him a little bit to another Vegas player, (Mark) Stone, when he was in our league and playing for Brandon. He had really good hockey sense, really good puck protection skills. Alex is like that, not quite as big, but still very strong and powerful. So, I think that area of his game will really translate to the pro level.”

Weiermair has also maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking additional classes in Portland.

Photo/Portland Winterhawks

— Portland Winterhawks Staff

(March 4, 2026)