16 year old Jaden VanWalleghem set to join Kings next season

Photo by Sundin Sports Photography

The Kings have signed 2009 born defenseman Jaden VanWalleghem for the 2025-26 season!

“I’m super excited and I have met some of the coaching staff and they seem like great people” says VanWalleghem “Being able to be around a culture such as Powell River will help me grow as a hockey player and as a young man. I am extremely excited and ready to go to work.”

VanWalleghem hails from Kenora Ontario and played on the local U18 AAA Thistles last season. In 47 games he had 3 goals and 20 assists.

“Jaden is a young and exciting prospect that we look forward to working with this season” says head coach and G.M. Stephan Seeger Jr. “He has a lot of athleticism and energy to his game, whether he’s walking the blue line, retrieving pucks, or battling along the boards, and his compete and hunger to win games stands out in all areas of his game. He’s a very smooth skater for his age, has great character, and is eager to learn. We are honoured to add Jaden and we can’t wait to see what he can do in a Kings jersey.”

With the next step in his hockey career on the horizon, the 16 year old is prepared for all the challenges junior hockey will present in his rookie season. “I know it will be a big jump from U18 to the best junior A league in Canada but I am here for it.” adds VanWalleghem “I will never quit and when I fail, that will push me harder to be better. I know my teammates and coaches will work with me a ton to improve every part of my game. There will certainly be some nervousness, but I will use it to my advantage and excel. I have battled through adversity my whole life and I am ready to do it again in a big way.”

VanWalleghem is the second new defender to be signed for the upcoming season, as he follows Tristian Williams who made his commitment to the team at the end of last season after suiting up in 10 games as an affiliate.