Beaupit, Sward hope to hear names called in 2022 NHL Draft July 7-8

Montreal, Que. — Spokane Chiefs Mason Beaupit and Graham Sward will hope to hear their names called this week in the 60th annual NHL Entry Draft. The event will take place on July 7-8 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, with the hosting Montreal Canadiens holding the first overall pick. The first round will take place Thursday, July 7 with rounds two through six going through Friday, July 8.

Mason Beaupit, G

Beaupit, a 6-foot-5 goalie out of Surrey, B.C., heads into the draft ranked 5th among North American goaltenders by the NHL Central Scouting Service after being named the Spokane Chiefs Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season. He finished the season 20-22-3-1 with a 3.63 GAA and .893 SV%.

The 18-year-old was on the winning side at the CHL’s Kubota Top Prospect Game this year, stopping all 16 shots he faced in a 3-1 decision for Team White.

Throughout the season, Beaupit faced over 40 shots on goal seven times and made 35 or more saves on 12 separate occasions, going 5-6-0-1 in those match-ups. Fifteen times this season Beaupit allowed two or fewer goals, going 11-5-0-0 in those starts.

In his 20 wins, Beaupit had a 2.27 GAA and a .926 SV%.

Over his final 11 starts, with the Chiefs battling for a playoff spot, Beaupit was 6-5-0-0 with a 2.88 GAA and a .914 SV%. On the last day of the regular season, with Spokane needing a win to clinch a playoff spot, Beaupit made 35 saves in 37 chances to help secure a 4-2 win at Victoria.

Over 62 games (3,529 minutes) in his WHL career, Beaupit has logged a 3.60 GAA and .895 SV%, including one shutout.

Beaupit was the Chiefs’ fourth-round (82nd overall) pick in the 2018 WHL Draft.

Graham Sward, D

Sward, a 6-foot-3 rearguard out of Abbotsford, B.C., heads into the draft ranked 93rd among North American skaters by the NHL CSS after finishing his third season as a Chief with a career-high 10 goals, 33 assists and 43 points in 57 games.

The 18-year-old finished the regular season ranked among the top 15 WHL defensemen in goals and total points and among the top 10 WHL defensemen in assists. Over 124 games in his WHL career, Sward has accrued 62 total points on 14 goals and 48 assists.

Sward was named the organization’s John “Hitman” Hern Defenseman of the Year and Chiefs Humanitarian of the Year at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Sward was the Chiefs’ first-round (17th overall) pick in the 2018 WHL Draft.

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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.

The Chiefs’ 2022-23 regular season will begin on Friday, September 23 as they take on the Victoria Royals on the road before hosting the Kamloops Blazers in their home opener at Spokane Arena on October 1. Ticket packages for the 2022-23 season are available now! With options starting at just $96, there’s an option to fit every budget and schedule. For more information, visit spokanechiefs.com.