The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a Canadian Hockey League player who is best able to combine success on the ice with success in the classroom.

Alex Weiermair of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks earned the honor in 2026 after excelling academically while enjoying a standout overage season on the ice.

The 21-year-old from Los Angeles maintained a 4.0 GPA across challenging university coursework, including chemistry, business, history, and psychology. His academic background also includes advanced-level calculus and physics, while away from formal coursework, Weiermair speaks German and is teaching himself Italian.

On the ice, the Vegas Golden Knights prospect recorded 93 points, including 37 goals and 56 assists, in 66 regular-season games. He led the Winterhawks in scoring and finished fifth overall in the WHL while contributing consistently in all situations.

Despite playing a heavy-minute role, the Los Angeles Jr. Kings product recorded just 28 penalty minutes and was also named a finalist for the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s Most Sportsmanlike Player. An alternate captain in Portland, Weiermair was recognized throughout the organization for his maturity, humility, integrity, and leadership both on and off the ice.

With the honor, Weiermair becomes the second Winterhawks player to be named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year, joining Dan Hulak, who captured the award following the 2000-01 season.

Winner – Alex Weiermair (Portland Winterhawks / WHL)
Nominees – Levi Harper (Saginaw Spirit / OHL) & Nathan Brisson (Val-d’Or Foreurs / QMJHL)

Winners were recognized at the 2026 CHL Awards ceremony, June 15, in downtown Toronto. The finalists for each CHL award were determined by the winners of the corresponding honors presented by the CHL’s three member leagues: the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Across the 30 finalist spots for this year’s 10 CHL awards, 19 different CHL clubs are represented, including seven from the WHL, six from the OHL, and six from the QMJHL — reflecting standout 2025-26 seasons from players, coaches, and organizations across the CHL.

Photo/Josh Kim/CHL

— CHL Staff

(June 16, 2026)