Tigers select pair of forwards in US Priority Draft

Medicine Hat, AB – The Medicine Hat Tigers kicked off WHL Draft week with a pair of selections in the US Priority Draft Wednesday morning.

The Tigers were on the clock at pick number 16 in the first round and selected Centre, Owen Hayes (Centennial, CO). Owen played the 2023-2024 season with Okanangan Colorado U14 AAA notching 36 points in 17 games (16 goals, 20 assists). Hayes spent the 2022-2023 campaign with the Littleton Hawks U14AA squad scoring 126 points in 69 games (65 goals, 61 assists).

Tigers Director of Player Personnel Bobby Fox says Hayes is a clutch performer. “Owen is a go-to-guy for OHC,” he says. “He is a reliable two-way forward. player that coaches will love for his skill and compete he brings every shift.”

In the second and final round of the US Draft, the Tigers were back up selecting at #38 selecting Centre, Nolan Marto (Grand Forks, ND) from Team North Dakota U14 AAA. During the season Marto also played U15 AA scoring 130 points (63 goals, 67 assists) in 58 games.

Fox says has a plethora of skill in his arsenal. “Nolan is an elite offensive weapon,” he says. “Highly skilled and can score in multiple ways.”

Thursday morning brings the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft where the Tigers will select in the first round at #16. Results will be posted on our social media channels as well as a full Draft Day recap with Tigers Head Coach & General Manager Willie Desjardins & Director of Player Personnel Bobby Fox.

The Draft gets underway at 10 AM / MT and the first round will be broadcasted live on the WHL’s Youtube Channel.