A fistful of Vancouver Giant prospects have been selected as all-stars for their accomplishments on the ice this past season.
Four of the young players were named first-team all-stars in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) for the 2023-24 season, while a fifth prospect has been named a first-team all-star in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL).
Defencemen Ryan Lin, Chloe Primerano and Brayden Tremblay, as well as forward Max Malinousky were named first-team all-stars in the CSSHL, while forward Brett Olson was named the top forward and a first-team all-star in the AEHL, confirmed Nathan Kanter, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Giants.
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CSSHL
Ryan Lin – U18 prep BC/US division – 2008-born defenceman plays out of the Delta Hockey Academy
The Giants first pick in the 2023 WHL prospects draft – sixth overall – made a seamless transition from U15 to U18 prep this past season, to nobody’s surprise, Kanter said.
Lin registered 10 goals and 32 points in 28 games, leading all Delta skaters in scoring despite being a defenceman. His 10 goals were tied for the fifth-most amongst all U18 prep defenders, while his 32 points were T-7th.
Unrelated to Lin being named a first-team all-star, he also represented Canada at the 2024 winter youth Olympic games and played in one regular season and three playoff games for the Giants, where he didn’t look out of place at all – despite being just 15 years old.
Max Malinousky – U17 prep tier I division – 2008-born forward, Delta Hockey Academy (green)
A ninth-round pick by Vancouver in the 2023 WHL prospects draft, Malinousky had an incredibly impressive season at the U17 level, leading the entire division in scoring with 68 points in just 31 games (21G-47A).
The right-shot forward started the season on a 16-game point streak (13G-22) and had 13 separate games with three or more points, including two six-point outings. Just 13 of his 68 points came on the power play.
In addition to being named a first-team all-star, Malinousky has also been nominated for MVP of the U17 prep tier I division.
Chloe Primerano – female U18 prep BC division – 2007-born defenceman, RINK Hockey Academy in Kelowna
The Giants 13th-round pick from 2022 had a record-setting year for RINK Kelowna, finishing her CSSHL season with 89 points in 29 regular season games (35G-54A), before adding 20 points in five playoff games en route to a second straight league championship.
In addition to her being named a first-team all-star, she is also nominated for MVP of the female prep division.
The North Vancouver product had a point in every regular season game except for one, starting the year on a 19-game point streak. She recorded three or more points in a game 17 times during the regular season, including three five-point games and three six-point games.
Primerano also excelled for Canada at the 2024 IIHF Women’s U18 World Championship, where the 17-year-old was named MVP, leading the tournament in scoring with 16 points (8G-8A), while also helping Canada win a bronze medal.
Her 16 points were the most by any defender in tournament history, and second only to Amanda Kessel’s 19 points on the all-time scoring list.
Brayden Tremblay – U17 prep tier III division – 2008-born defenceman, Okanagan Hockey Academy (black)
Tremblay, a 6-foot-2 defenceman chosen in the sixth round of the 2023 WHL prospects draft, led all OHA Black defenders in scoring with 21 points in 30 games (6G-15A).
The Fruitvale, B.C. native added six points in three playoff games (2G-4A). He had one game-winning-goal and six power play points during the regular season.
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AEHL
Brett Olson – U18 – 2008-born forward, St. Albert Raiders
The Giants second pick in the 2023 WHL prospects draft – eighth overall – was one of the best players in the AEHL this past season, where he registered 25 goals and 35 assists for 60 points in 35 games, good for second in league scoring.
Olson was named the top forward in the AEHL, as well as a first-team all-star, and helped the Raiders finish first in the North division.
The right-shot centre had an impressive 23-game point streak from Nov. 18, 2023 to Feb. 17, 2024, during which he produced 47 points (20G-27A), including three hat-tricks. On the season, he had four game-winning-goals, 20 power play points and 17 multi-point games.
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