WHLers stack NHL rosters

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

Reigning NHL scoring champ Jamie Benn is one of 14 former Rockets on NHL rosters.

Former Western Hockey League players are making their mark around the National Hockey League.

As the curtain rose on the 2015-2016 season this week, 146 former WHL players had cracked NHL rosters. That breaks down to more than six complete 23-man teams.

All 30 NHL teams have at least one WHL grad on their respective rosters, with the Vancouver Canucks leading the way with nine.

The Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2015-16 season each with seven WHL grads on their respective rosters.

Of the 146 players listed on NHL rosters, 16 are on injured reserve.

A total of 14 former Kelowna Rockets are also on NHL rosters, eight defencemen and six forwards.

These include:

• Buffalo - Josh Gorges, defenceman
• Calgary - Mikael Backlund, forward
• Chicago - Duncan Keith, defenceman
• Colorado - Tyson Barrie, defenceman and Blake Comeau, forward
• Dallas - Jamie Benn, Vernon Fiddler and Travis Moen. All forwards
• Nashville - Shea Weber, defenceman
• New Jersey - Damon Severson, defenceman
• New York Rangers - Nick Tarnsky, forward
• Philadelphia - Luke Schenn, defeneman
• Vancouver - Alex Edler, defenceman
• Winnipeg - Tyler Myers, defenceman