Canucks Prospect Parker Alcos To Play In NCAA Next Season
Last offseason, the first allowing CHL players to play in the NCAA, there were a flurry of commitments from players looking to play at the collegiate level. This season, the commitments have been more slow and steady. On Friday, a Canucks prospect decided to make the switch as defenseman Parker Alcos announced on his Instagram page that he will play at Quinnipiac University next season.
The 19-year-old was a sixth-round pick by Vancouver back in 2024, going 189th overall. This season, Alcos has split time between WHL Edmonton and Kelowna, combining for five goals and 18 assists in 47 games, already surpassing his production from the previous two seasons.
The Canucks will now have two prospects with the Bobcats in 2026-27 as 2025 seventh-rounder Matthew Lansing is in his freshman year with the club. Alcos is the second NHL-drafted player to commit to switching from junior hockey to playing at Quinnipiac as he’ll join San Jose goaltender Christian Kirsch in doing so for 2026-27.
The change in leagues could work to Vancouver’s benefit. Had Alcos not decided to make the switch, the Canucks would have only had until June 1st to sign him to an entry-level contract or lose his rights. Now, those signing rights will be extended, allowing Vancouver to get a longer look before making a decision on whether or not to ultimately sign him.
CHL Transaction Roundup: Cootes, Alcos, Battaglia, Radkov
The trade deadlines in the three CHL leagues are fast approaching and there has been a significant uptick in transactions in recent days. Here’s a rundown of some recent moves around the various leagues involving NHL-drafted players.
- Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes is on the move as WHL Prince Albert announced that they’ve acquired him from Seattle in a 12-piece swap. Cootes, the 15th overall pick last June, got into three games with Vancouver to start the season before being sent back to the Thunderbirds where he was quite productive with 23 points in 17 games. Most recently, Cootes played for Canada at the World Juniors, collecting two goals in seven contests.
- Another Canucks youngster was dealt as WHL Kelowna picked up defenseman Parker Alcos from Edmonton, per a team release. The blueliner was a sixth-round pick in 2024 and has 14 points in 31 games so far this season. Vancouver has until June 1st to sign him or they’ll lose his rights, meaning this stretch run will be particularly important for Alcos.
- Flames 2024 second-rounder Jacob Battaglia has been acquired by OHL Flint, per a team release. The Firebirds are sending eight draft picks to Kingston in return for the forward. The 19-year-old has 14 goals and 13 assists in 36 games this season. Battaglia will be eligible to play full-time in the AHL next season, making him a particularly expensive rental player.
- QMJHL Saint John announced that they’ve acquired Canadiens prospect Arseni Radkov from Blainville-Boisbriand. The goaltender was a third-round pick last June, going 82nd overall and is in his first and only season at the junior level. He has a 3.01 GAA and a .894 SV% in 23 games so far this season. Radkov is committed to play at UMass next season.