Chiefs select F Mathis Preston third overall in 2023 WHL Prospects Draft
Spokane, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs have selected forward Mathis Preston in the first round (third overall) of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.
“We are extremely excited to select Mathis Preston. He’s an elite goal scorer with an elite-level shot and an explosive skater who can break games open,” Spokane Chiefs General Manager Matt Bardsley said. “We love how driven and focused he is — he wants to be the best, he wants to play with the best. He’s an exciting forward to add to the group we are building here in Spokane with the likes of Berkly Catton, Chase Harrington and even yesterday’s selection in Brody Gillespie.”
Preston, a five-foot-nine forward from Penticton, B.C., spent the 2022-23 season with Okanagan Hockey Academy U15 Prep, where he racked up 81 points (45G-36A) in just 26 games. He also played in four playoff games, piling on another 10 points with seven goals and three assists.
Preston finished third in CSSHL scoring and earned U15 Prep Division MVP Award honors earlier this month.
The 2008-born forward will join fellow recent first-round picks Chase Harrington (2022 – 8th overall), Berkly Catton (2021 – 1st overall) and Saige Weinstein (2020 – 18th overall).
The Chiefs full 2023 WHL Prospects Draft results will be updated at spokanechiefs.com.
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The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition, which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
