WHL DRAFT: Hitmen Select Two in WHL U.S. Priority Draft

WHL DRAFT: Hitmen Select Two in WHL U.S. Priority Draft

Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen selected two forwards in the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft for 2010 born U.S players. The 2025 draft was conducted online Thursday morning, hosted by the Western Hockey League Office.

Calgary drafted forward Gabriel Belanger with their first pick, 21st overall. The product of Anchorage Alaska, Belanger finished the 2024-25 season with the Detroit Little Caesars registering over a point per game with 34 points (22g, 12a).

With Calgary’s second pick 26^th overall, the Hitmen selected forward Keegan Brown. Originally from Denver Colorado, Brown played for the Colorado Thunderbirds in the 2024-25 finishing the season with 85 points (30g, 55a) in 51 games.

“We are very excited to draft and welcome both Gabriel and Keegan to our program” said Hitmen General Manager Garry Davidson “Gabriel is a true power forward who gets to the right areas to score and has great touch around the net. Brown is a dynamic undersized forward, who plays bigger than he is. Both players are the full package and have great upside.”

Gabriel Belanger – FORWARD

HOMETOWN: Anchorage, Alaska            DOB:  March 23, 2010
HEIGHT:  5’11”                                            WEIGHT: 174 lbs.

SHOOTS:  Right

Keegan Brown  –  FORWARD

HOMETOWN: Denver, Colorado               DOB:  February 26, 2010
HEIGHT:  5’6”                                               WEIGHT:  115 lbs.

SHOOTS: Right

Eligible for today’s draft were 2010-born players who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Players not selected in the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday, May 8, or listed by a WHL Club at any time thereafter. Fans can follow along live here