2026 WHL Prospects Draft Preview

The 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft is set to take place from Wednesday, May 6 – Thursday, May 7. Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft will be streamed live for FREE on Victory+ TV on Wednesday, May 6. Fans can track the remaining rounds online in real time the following day.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?

The Saskatoon Blades drafted 11 players at last year’s draft. It was a busy start for the Blue and Gold’s management, striking a pair of deals with the Penticton Vees to acquire the 24th overall pick of the draft. Saskatoon also traded for the 15th overall pick from the Swift Current Broncos while Speedy Creek was on the clock, trading in exchange the 22nd overall pick, the 73rd overall pick, and the 93rd overall pick. With the organization’s first first round pick since the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, the Blades drafted 5-foot-11 forward Kain Martinuik.

Saskatoon drafted five forwards, four defenceman, and two netminders by the end of the 2025 WHL Draft. For a full look at last year’s results, click HERE

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026 WHL Prospects Draft
The Blades enter the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft with the 18th overall pick courtesy of the Prince George Cougars. The entire selection breakdown for the Blades is as follows:

Round 1

Pick 18 (originally PG)

Round 9

Pick 198 (SAS)

Pick 202 (originally PG)

Round 10

Pick 221 (SAS)

Pick 225 (originally POR)

There is no WHL U.S. Priority Draft for the first time since 2019. The WHL U.S. Priority Draft was introduced in 2020 as a two-round draft for bantam-aged players residing in 20 U.S. states and territories to be selected by WHL clubs. Those selections will now merge into the WHL Prospects Draft starting with this spring.

For complete coverage of the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft and the 2026 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, click HERE.