Hampton Roads Whalers Alumni Association

08/28/2026

WHALERS ALUMNUS KOHL HEDQUIST NAMED ASSISTANT COACH FOR ECHL’S RAPID CITY RUSH!

Huge news from the ECHL! Whalers alumnus Kohl Hedquist has officially been named Assistant Coach / Video Coach / Operations & Team Services for the Rapid City Rush!

​A former Whaler (2018–2020), assistant captain, and 2019 USPHL National Champion, Kohl’s hockey journey has taken him from our ice to 4 years of NCAA D3 hockey (Gustavus Adolphus College & Hamline University) and 3 pro seasons in Europe playing in Poland and the Netherlands.

​Most recently, Kohl served as Director of Player Development for Smoke Eaters Geleen II in the Netherlands and Director of Recruiting for Hamline University. Now, he takes the next big step in his hockey career by making his ECHL coaching debut!

​We couldn’t be prouder to see a former Whaler making moves behind the bench in pro hockey. Best of luck in Rapid City, Kohl!

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08/28/2026

This year years group looks like the are already gelin! This is going to be a fun season!

08/17/2026

The boys are back in town and ready to start training camp!!!

07/26/2026

364 days to get into game shape... better get started! 😂

​A HUGE thank you to every skater, volunteer, and fan who made last night’s Hampton Roads Whalers Alumni Game incredible. The energy was unmatched!

​But no rest for the weary... because next July is YEAR 10 of our Alumni Association! 🎂 We are already planning our biggest celebration ever and want to see alumni from every single era represented.

​Save the rough date: We are looking at the weekend of July 17th OR July 24th, 2027. We’ll solidify and announce the final date around January.

​Tag your era’s teammates in the comments and tell them they have exactly one year to ‘toughen up’!

07/26/2026

What a weekend! 🏒🐳💚💙

​A massive thank you to everyone who made this year’s Alumni Game and Weekend such an incredible success!

​To the players who laced up their skates, brought the competitive energy, and proved the bond of this program runs deep, thank you for putting on a great show.

​To our volunteers and staff from running registration and managing the bench to keeping score and handling everything behind the scenes; this event simply wouldn’t happen without your time, hustle, and heart.

​To the families, fans, and local community in the stands, thank you for coming out, bringing the noise, and continuing to support the tradition year after year.

​It’s always special bringing generations of players back under one roof. Thank you all for making this year one to remember. See you at the next year for year 10 of the alumni association and game!

07/24/2026

ALUMNI GAME SPOTLIGHT: The Legacy of #16 🏒🐋🏆🏆🏆

​As we gear up for tomorrow night’s Alumni Game, have you ever wondered why #16 hangs high in the rafters? Why we honor and celebrate Gerald Owen every single year?

​Beyond the headlines, Gerald wasn't just an elite talent, he was the ultimate teammate, a fierce competitor, and a brother to everyone in that locker room. On the ice, his resume speaks for itself:

​Inaugural Pioneer: Cracked the original Whalers roster in 2006 at just 14 years old, helping secure back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008.

​National Success: Tested his game in the NAHL with the Alexandria Blizzard and won the 2011 USA Hockey Jr. "B" National Title with the Helena Bighorns.

​Franchise Record: Returned home to lift the trophy in 2012, becoming the only player in franchise history to win three championships in a Whalers uniform.

​In 2017, Gerald tragically lost his battle with esophageal cancer, leaving behind a profound legacy of strength, loyalty, and passion.

​Tomorrow night, we lace ’em up in his memory. #16 Forever. 💙💚

07/21/2026

🏆 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CALLEN DAILY INDUCTED INTO THE SEC HALL OF FAME! 🏆

​Huge news from Whaler Nation! Join us in congratulating Whalers alumnus Callen Daily on his incredible induction into the SEC Hall of Fame! 🏒🔥

​Before taking his talents south, Callen was a staple on the ice for the Whalers from 2019–2022, serving as Team Captain during the 2021–2022 season. In 121 games played in Whaler blue and green, Callen racked up 48 goals and 53 assists for 101 total points! 📈

​He took that same dominance to Auburn Hockey, putting up incredible numbers across 61 games:

​🏒 44 Goals
​🅰️ 37 Assists
​📊 81 Points

​Callen’s leadership, work ethic, and production have left an indelible mark on both Whaler Nation and Auburn Hockey.

​🎟️ SEE CALLEN LIVE THIS SATURDAY!

​Want to congratulate Callen in person? He’ll be back in town this Saturday skating in this year’s Whalers Alumni Game! Come out, support, and help us celebrate one of our best to ever lace 'em up.

​Congratulations on this monumental honor, Callen!!

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07/20/2026

🏒 Whalers Alumni Weekend: We Need Your Help! 🏒

​Alumni Weekend is just a few days away, and we are putting the final touches on everything to make sure this weekend is unforgettable.

​To help the games run smoothly, we need a few awesome volunteers to step up and help us out off the ice. If you want a front-row seat to the action (or just want to support the program), we’re looking for a few hands to cover the following roles:

​🎙️ PA Announcer: The voice of the game! Read the game-day script, announce the starting lineups, and call out goals, assists, and penalties over the mic.

​⏱️ Clock Operator: Keep the game on schedule and run the scoreboard.

​📝 Scoresheet Tracker: Record the goals, assists, and penalties.

​🎵 Music & DJ: Keep the energy high and the arena rocking between whistles.

​🚪 Penalty Box Attendants: Manage the gates and keep the peace.

​Whether you can cover a whole game or just want to help out for a period or two, every bit helps.

​Want to help?

Drop a comment below or send a direct message letting us know which role you're interested in.

​Thank you all for stepping up to make this weekend a massive success. See you at the rink! 🐋🏒💙💚

07/20/2026

Registration is Officially CLOSED! 🚫🏒

​The roster is set, the lines are drawn, and the countdown to game day is officially on! A huge thank you to everyone who signed up to lace 'em up and represent the blue and green.

​We can't wait to see all of our alumni, families, and fans packing the stands this weekend. Get ready for an incredible night of hockey, catching up, and celebrating the Whalers family!

07/20/2026