The Vancouver Giants are placing a significant bet on chemistry and high-end talent, hoping the reunion of longtime friends and elite NHL draft prospects can reverse their fortunes. The Western Hockey League club acquired forward Mathis Preston from the Spokane Chiefs just before the trade deadline, explicitly pairing him with defenceman and new team captain Ryan Lin.
A Strategic Reunion for Playoff Hopes
The Giants' front office executed a major roster overhaul at the deadline, making seven separate trades. The most notable move brought Mathis Preston, a 17-year-old from Penticton, to Vancouver. Both Preston and Richmond native Ryan Lin, also 17, are projected as potential first-round selections in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. Their history is extensive, having played together on spring teams since they were eight years old and at prestigious events like the Edmonton Brick Tournament and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The early returns on this strategic pairing are promising. In his first game as a Giant on January 10, 2026, Preston scored a spectacular overtime winner to seal a 4-3 victory over the Tri-City Americans at the Langley Events Centre. Lin contributed two goals in the same game, showcasing the immediate synergy the team envisioned.
Building for Today and Tomorrow
The Giants' plan has a dual focus: salvaging this season and constructing a contender for the next. Following the flurry of trades, which saw the team part with four of its top five scorers, Vancouver held a record of 17-22-1-1. They began the day six points behind the Victoria Royals for the eighth and final playoff spot in the WHL's Western Conference.
Lin, who assumed the captaincy after Ty Halaburda was traded, emphasized the critical importance of a playoff push this year. "If we want to be a successful team next year and go on a deep run and win it, we need that playoff experience," Lin stated. "If we miss the playoffs this year, it’s going to be hard to go all the way next year."
The consolidated draft ranking from Elite Prospects currently lists Lin at No. 7 and Preston at No. 8 for the 2026 NHL Draft. Their development paths for next season remain open, with the NCAA being a possibility under new scholarship rules, but decisions will follow the draft.
A Fresh Start in the Locker Room
The Giants' roster reset has already altered the team's atmosphere. Lin described the change as "night and day," acknowledging that while departed players were friends, the previous dynamic "wasn't working." Preston, who posted 14 goals and 32 points in 36 games with Spokane, is focused on embracing his new role. "They wanted me for a reason," Preston said. "I’m just focusing on being the best Vancouver Giant I can be."
To acquire Preston, Vancouver sent defenceman Marek Howell, winger Tyus Sparks, and a 2026 first-round draft pick to Spokane. The Giants' aggressive deadline strategy signals a clear intent to build around their new core, with the old friendship between Lin and Preston now at the heart of their on-ice blueprint.
