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Vancouver Giants: Mathis Preston primed to lead bounce back after wacky NHL Draft year

“I definitely think I should have gone in the first round,” says the speedy winger, "but everything that could have gone wrong for me last year went wrong."

Published: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 12:00 AM
Vancouver Giants: Mathis Preston primed to lead bounce back after wacky NHL Draft year
Key Things to Know
  • Anaheim Ducks draft pick Preston returned to the Vancouver Giants following NHL training camp.
  • Preston is expected to play against the Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars this weekend.
  • The winger was selected 50th overall in the second round of the June NHL Draft.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Winger Preston has returned to the WHL's Vancouver Giants after attending the NHL training camp of the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him 50th overall in June. Preston missed Vancouver's season-opening 3-2 overtime win against the Kelowna Rockets but is expected to rejoin the lineup for weekend matchups against the Victoria Royals and Prince George Cougars.

Vancouver hopes Preston will help reverse the team's fortunes following a 25-39-2-2 campaign last season. Preston began last year with the Spokane Chiefs before being traded to the Giants in January, ultimately finishing with 18 goals and 44 points in 46 games after missing two months due to a knee injury.

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