Road to the WHL Draft: 2020

Category: ArticleMay 3, 2024

Medicine Hat, AB – With less than a week away from the 2024 WHL Draft, we go into the archives and highlight previous WHL Drafts that have helped shape our franchise to it’s current state and we start with the 2020 Prospects Draft.

With plenty of uncertainty following the cancelation of the 2019-20 WHL Season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, selecting the future of franchises still had to remain top of mind when selecting the top 2005 born players eligible for the draft. the Top Three Picks from the draft would include future first overall NHL pick of Connor Bedard to the Regina Pats, Riley Heidt of the Prince George Cougars went 2nd, while Moose Jaw Warriors would take Brayden Yager 3rd overall

Medicine Hat had the 11th overall pick and the Tigers would take a defenceman and select Reid Andresen (Saskatoon, SK) with their first pick.

Andresen in now 210 games in a Tiger uniform has scored 20 goals and 66 assists for 86 points and has played in nine playoff games for the orange and black has he has completed his third full season with the Tigers.

The next two picks for Medicine Hat wouldn’t stray far from Co-op Place, selecting Hatter Josh Van Mulligen in round 2, 39th overall as the towering defender has never missed a single game due to injury in his career with 149 games played finishing his sophomore season with the Tigers, he’s also been a part of the Edmonton Oilers organization attending summer and fall development camps.

Medicine Hat would finally take a forward in round three selecting, the 161st ranked skater in the upcoming NHL Draft, Shane Smith (Cessford, AB). Smith has scored 48 goals in his first two full seasons with the club and 83 points total in 140 games played. Smith was recently nominated as the Central Division’s Humanitarian of the Year for the 2024 WHL Awards.

Rounds five and six would bring top six depth to the organization as Medicine Hat would take 26th ranked skater for the 2024 Draft in Andrew Basha (Calgary, AB). A late birthday has him eligible this season compared to his current teammates and he’s shown his abilities with 155 points in 178 games played, (55 goals, 100 assists). Basha also suited up for Team Red at the CHL/NHL Prospects Game in Moncton, New Brunswick this past season.

Next in the sixth round, the Tigers would draw from the alumni’s bloodline as Hunter St. Martin (Edmonton, AB) the son of former Tiger Blair St.Martin would go 124th to his father’s alma mater. Known as one of the fastest skaters in the Western Hockey League. St.Martin had a career year scoring 24 goals and 28 assists. Playing in all 68 games this season with the orange and black.

Rounding out the rest of the list of current Tigers on the roster, goaltender Zach Zahara who lead the team in wins and save percentage was taken in the 8th round, 171st overall.