Penticton Vees acquire 22 players in 2025 WHL Expansion Draft proceedings
Calgary, Alta. – The Penticton Vees, set to compete in their inaugural Western Hockey League season in 2025-26, acquired 22 players during the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft.
The Vees selected one player from each of 13 WHL Clubs, while agreed upon trades involving seven WHL Clubs were accepted in place of expansion draft selections. The Medicine Hat Tigers and Spokane Chiefs have been granted an accommodation based on advancing to the 2025 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.
2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Selections, Listed by Former Club
Brandon Wheat Kings – Davies, Isaac (Forward, 2008)
Calgary Hitmen – see Approved Trade #1
Edmonton Oil Kings – Smith, Kaenan (Goaltender, 2008)
Everett Silvertips – see Approved Trade #2
Kamloops Blazers – Anderlini, Kalan (Defence, 2006)
Kelowna Rockets – see Approved Trade #3
Lethbridge Hurricanes – Norrie, Cameron (Forward, 2007)
Medicine Hat Tigers – granted WHL Championship extension*
Moose Jaw Warriors – Hughes, Ethan (Forward, 2006)
Portland Winterhawks – Schlenker, Marek (Goaltender, 2006)
Prince Albert Raiders – Bursaw, Liam (Forward, 2007)
Prince George Cougars – Danis, Matteo (Forward, 2005)
Red Deer Rebels – Pederson, Doogan (Defence, 2006)
Regina Pats – Almen, Corban (Forward, 2007)
Saskatoon Blades – see Approved Trade #4
Seattle Thunderbirds – see Approved Trade #5
Spokane Chiefs – granted WHL Championship extension*
Swift Current Broncos – see Approved Trade #6
Tri-City Americans – Burick, Sean (Defence, 2008)
Vancouver Giants – see Approved Trade #7
Victoria Royals – Danyleyko, Wyatt (Forward, 2007)
Wenatchee Wild – Reyelts, Andrew (Goaltender, 2006)
* = the winner of the 2025 WHL Championship has received an expansion draft extension through the conclusion of the 2025 Memorial Cup; the losing team in the 2025 WHL Championship will be required to submit its protected list on the second day after elimination
Approved Trades
- Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Chase Valliant (Surrey, B.C.) and 2008-born defenceman Easton LaPlante (Calgary, Alta.) from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
- Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born goaltender Jesse Sanche (Kamloops, B.C.) from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.
- Penticton Vees acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Kelowna Rockets.
- Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born defenceman Morgan Tastad (Loreburn, Sask.), 2006-born defenceman Ethan Weber (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), and a 2025 second-round pick (31st overall) from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (24th overall).
- Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Diego Johnson (Fort St. James, B.C.) from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
- Penticton Vees acquire 2005-born forward Brady Birnie (Regina, Sask.), 2005-born defenceman Nolan Stevenson (Shaunavon, Sask.), and 2009-born forward Brooks DeMars (Hugo, Minn.) from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (conditional).
- Penticton Vees acquire acquire a 2026 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Vancouver Giants
2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Acquisitions, Listed by Position
GOALTENDERS (4)
Reyelts, Andrew (2006, Wenatchee Wild)
Sanche, Jesse (2006, Everett Silvertips)
Schlenker, Marek (2006, Portland Winterhawks)
Smith, Kaenan (2008, Edmonton Oil Kings)
DEFENCE (7)
Anderlini, Kalan (2006, Kamloops Blazers)
Burick, Sean (2008, Tri-City Americans)
LaPlante, Easton (2008, Calgary Hitmen)
Pederson, Doogan (2006, Red Deer Rebels)
Stevenson, Nolan (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Tastad, Morgan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)
Weber, Ethan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)
FORWARD (11)
Almen, Corban (2007, Regina Pats)
Birnie, Brady (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Bursaw, Liam (2007, Prince Albert Raiders)
Danyleyko, Wyatt (2007, Victoria Royals)
Davies, Isaac (2008, Brandon Wheat Kings)
DeMars, Brooks (2009, Swift Current Broncos)
Danis, Matteo (2005, Prince George Cougars)
Hughes, Ethan (2006, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Johnson, Diego (2006, Seattle Thunderbirds)
Norrie, Cameron (2007, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Valliant, Chase (2006, Calgary Hitmen)
The Vees were given 24 hours to review the submitted protected lists and make their selections from the available players or negotiate trades with other WHL Clubs.
Penticton will be permitted to dress four (4) 20-year-old players in all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games during the 2025-26 WHL season only. Should Penticton win the WHL Championship, they will only be permitted to dress three (3) 20-year-old players in the 2026 Memorial Cup.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alta. The WHL offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for close to 60 years. The WHL is also a leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
