2023 NHL Draft – Live Blog
The 2023 NHL Draft lands in the Music City, with the Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena hosting the annual event June 28-29.
The first round of the 2022 NHL Draft is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. MT. Rounds 2-7 of the 2023 NHL Draft will be carried out on Thursday, beginning at 9 a.m. MT.
A total of 54 WHL players were ranked by NHL Central Scouting in advance of the 2023 NHL Draft, including the top-ranked North American Skater in Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard and the top-ranked North American Goaltender in Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Carson Bjarnason. A total of 12 of the top 28 North American Skaters hail from the WHL including six in the top 15. – READ MORE
Follow along with the WHL’s 2023 NHL Draft coverage right here and over on Twitter for ongoing updates throughout Wednesday and Thursday. – @TheWHL on Twitter
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL FIRST-ROUND SELECTIONS
Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard is the first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Bedard, from North Vancouver, B.C., led the WHL with 71 goals and 143 points during the 2022-23 regular season, earning WHL and Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year honours in the process. The 17-year-old becomes the third Regina Pats skater, and ninth WHL player overall, to be selected first-overall in the NHL Draft. Since being granted Hockey Canada exceptional status, and being selected first-overall by the Regina Pats in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Bedard has accumulated 271 points (134G-137A) in 134 WHL regular season contests.
CONNOR BEDARD, WELCOME TO CHICAGO pic.twitter.com/z4scGfUZ4I
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 28, 2023
The wait is over! Connor Bedard is a member of the @NHLBlackhawks!
Congratulations, Connor! We are excited to see what’s next! #LegendsInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/NE1othWQzo
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) June 28, 2023
Brandon Wheat Kings co-captain Nate Danielson was selected ninth-overall by the Detroit Red Wings, after leading his WHL Club with 78 points (33G-45A) during the 22-23 regular season. The product of Red Deer, Alta. becomes the third Wheat Kings captain to be selected in the first round of the NHL Draft in the past four seasons, joining defenceman Braden Schneider (19th-overall, New York Rangers, 2020) and Ridly Greig (28th-overall, Ottawa Senators, 2020). Originally selected fifth-overall by Brandon in the 2019 WHL Draft, Danielson has amassed 150 points in 145 games (59G-91A).
With the 9th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the #RedWings select…
Center Nate Danielson! #DRWDraft pic.twitter.com/c1RZnw88F4
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 29, 2023
NATE AT NINE!
Congratulations to #BWK Nate Danielson on being selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the 9th overall pick! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/3VqnJpDmIV
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) June 29, 2023
After collecting 98 points with the Winnipeg ICE in 2022-23, forward Zach Benson was selected 13th-overall by the Buffalo Sabres. The product of Chilliwack, B.C., who led all WHL forwards with a +68 rating during the regular season, is re-united with ICE teammate Matthew Savoie at the NHL level with Buffalo. Originally selected 14th-overall by Winnipeg in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Benson has totalled 181 points in 142 games (71G-110A).
Welcome to Buffalo, Zach‼️
We have selected Zach Benson with the 13th overall pick of the 2023 #NHLDraft.#LetsGoBuffalo | @SenecaBuffalo pic.twitter.com/nGKDwzXct8
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 29, 2023
Reigning WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player Brayden Yager is the 14th-overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft and newest member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. The product of Saskatoon, Sask. put up a career-best 50 assists and 78 points with the Moose Jaw Warriors, helping the Club reach the Second round of the WHL Playoffs for the second year running. Originally selected third-overall by Moose Jaw in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Yager has collected 155 points in 154 games (69G-86A).
Welcome to Pittsburgh!
With the 14th overall pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the Penguins have selected forward Brayden Yager. pic.twitter.com/MpAWK1Py4x
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 29, 2023
HEADING TO STEEL CITY!!
Congratulations to Brayden Yager on being selected 14th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins!#TakeFlightMJ | #NHLDraft | @yages29 pic.twitter.com/qo1hB4H01H
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) June 29, 2023
Vancouver Giants forward Samuel Honzek was selected 16th-overall by the Calgary Flames after putting up 56 points (23G-33A) in only 43 WHL regular season contests, putting up a team-best +17 rating in the process. Honzek, who hails from Trencin, Slovakia, represented his country at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound forward was selected by the Giants with the 10th-overall pick in the 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
WELCOME TO THE C OF RED, SAMUEL! 🔥#Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/kckryCJeF4
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 29, 2023
The Vancouver Giants would like to congratulate forward Samuel Honzek on being selected 16th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft! 🎉
Honzek becomes the 6th Giant to be picked in the first round.#NHLDraft | @thewhl pic.twitter.com/kaRXFvUkYJ
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) June 29, 2023
The Saskatoon Blades earned some hometown appreciation at the 2023 NHL Draft as the Nashville Predators selected defenceman Tanner Molendyk with the 24th-overall pick. Molendyk, who hails from McBride, B.C., put up 37 points (9G-28A) for the Blades during the regular season, then served as a defensive stalwart in back-to-back series comebacks as Saskatoon reached the Eastern Conference Championship for the first time since 1994, rallying from a 2-0 series deficit to beat Regina in the First Round before extinguishing a 3-0 series deficit in the Second Round versus Red Deer. Since being selected fifth-overall by the Saskatoon Blades in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Molendyk has accrued 57 points (12G-45A) in 139 WHL regular season contests.
With the 24th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the Preds have selected…
Tanner Molendyk! pic.twitter.com/ElohAzB7MZ
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2023
Congratulations to Tanner Molendyk on being drafted by the @PredsNHL!!! pic.twitter.com/IrAk4Sml2l
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) June 29, 2023
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL SECOND-ROUND SELECTIONS
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Nico Myatovic was the first pick in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, going 33rd overall to the Anaheim Ducks. Myatovic put up 30 goals and 60 points during the 2022-23 regular season before scoring the deciding goal of the 2023 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien on a penalty shots, helping the Thunderbirds claim their second Ed Chynoweth Cup in six years. The product of Prince George, B.C. was selected by Seattle in the sixth round of the 2019 WHL Draft and has amassed 91 points (37G-54A) in 147 regular season contests.
Seattle ➡️ Anaheim
We're proud to select Nico Myatovic with the 33rd pick in the 2023 NHL Draft!#FlyTogether | @Honda pic.twitter.com/MRhGVAmnLW
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 29, 2023
MY OH MY HE'S A @AnaheimDucks
Congratulations Nico!!#BirdtotheLeague | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/TK1OsVi6J5
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) June 29, 2023
The Washington Capitals made Kelowna Rockets forward Andrew Cristall the 40th-overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Cristall, who hails from Burnaby, B.C., led Kelowna with 39 goals and 95 points during the regular season despite being limited to 54 games. Cristall was originally selected eighth-overall by the Rockets in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and has amassed 169 points (69G-100A) in 129 regular season contests.
With the 40th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals are proud to select Andrew Cristall!#CapsDraft | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/wdvM1FDqKT
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2023
Andrew Cristall is a Washington Capital! #NHLDraft x #KelownaToTheNHL x @Capitals pic.twitter.com/WvzlfVYQVv
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) June 29, 2023
After selecting Tanner Molendyk in the first round Wednesday, the Nashville Predators returned to the WHL with Red Deer Rebels forward Kalan Lind Thursday morning. The product of Shaunavon, Sask. collected 44 points in 43 games for the Rebels after winning a gold medal in his home arena with Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Originally selected sixth-overall by Red Deer in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Lind has totalled 88 points (40G-48A) in 111 regular season contests.
With the 46th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the Preds are proud to select Kalan Lind! pic.twitter.com/UIUPyvtZHH
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) June 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/Rebelshockey/status/1674440359081046018
The first WHL goaltender off the board at the 2023 NHL Draft is Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Carson Bjarnason, who was selected 51st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. The product of Carberry, Man. won 21 games and posted a .900 save percentage with the Wheat Kings, while also representing Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship. Over his WHL career with Brandon, Bjarnason holds a career 29-29-6-1 record, 3.35 goals-against average, .894 save percentage and three shutouts.
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 51st pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Carson Bjarnason. pic.twitter.com/EmvVCx6o6v
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
BARNEY TO PHILLY!
Congratulations to #BWK Carson Bjarnason from Carberry, Manitoba on being selected by the Philadelphia Flyers 51st overall in the 2nd round! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/fXVDozLmti
— Brandon Wheat Kings (@bdnwheatkings) June 29, 2023
The Seattle Kraken selected Tri-City Americans defenceman Lukas Dragicevic with the 57th-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Dragicevic, from Richmond, B.C., was the only WHL defenceman to lead his Club in scoring during the regular season, posting 75 points (15G-60A) from 68 contests. He has totalled 107 points (21G-86A) from his 136 appearances with the Americans since being selected fourth-overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
🐉🤝🦑
With the 57th overall pick, the #SeaKraken select Lukas Dragicevic! pic.twitter.com/YNVDaqAKH4
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 29, 2023
The @SeattleKraken select Lukas Dragicevic!
Congratulations, @DragicevicLukas!#AmsNation 𝙭 #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/4djGMjDHho
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) June 29, 2023
With the 63rd pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Florida Panthers selected Seattle Thunderbirds forward Gracyn Sawchyn. The product of Grande Prairie, Alta. completed his first WHL regular season with 58 points before leading all rookies with 11 points during the 2023 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, helping Seattle claim the WHL Championship. Sawchyn was acquired by the Thunderbirds in 2022 after being originally selected first-overall by Red Deer in the 2020 U.S. Priority Draft.
Gracyn your timeline with Sawchyn being drafted by the @FlaPanthers #BirdtotheLeague | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/vmBDS4trWa
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) June 29, 2023
After sharing the WHL lead with 72 assists during the regular season, Prince George Cougars forward Riley Heidt earned a second-round nod from the Minnesota Wild, going 64th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Heidt, from Saskatoon, Sask., finished the 2022-23 WHL Regular Season with 97 points before helping Prince George reach the Second Round of the WHL Playoffs for the first time in 16 years. Heidt has tallied 163 points (48G-115A) in 155 games with the Cougars since originally being selected second-overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Another one! Welcome to Minnesota, Riley! 👏#mnwild x #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/3Zxr8ag604
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 29, 2023
Riley Heidt 🤝 Minnesota Wild!#2023NHLDraft • @mnwild pic.twitter.com/wUOEVPHRb8
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) June 29, 2023
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL THIRD-ROUND SELECTIONS
Prince George Cougars forward Koehn Ziemmer was selected 78th-overall by the Los Angeles Kings after a 41-goal, 89-point campaign. The product of Mayerthorpe, Alta. becomes the first WHL skater selected in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft after helping lead the Cougars to their most successful season in over a decade. Ziemmer has put up 158 points (80G-78A) in 160 games with Prince George since originally being selected fourth-overall in the 2019 WHL Draft.
King Koehn! 👑
📲 https://t.co/BYFfMqcwQG #GoKingsGo | @WinmarkResale pic.twitter.com/LHZnAFCVg2
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 29, 2023
Koehn Ziemmer 🤝 Los Angeles Kings!#2023NHLDraft • #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/N8UKE27rbv
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) June 29, 2023
The Seattle Kraken added a second Western Conference defenceman with the 84th overall pick, grabbing blueliner Caden Price from the Kelowna Rockets. In 65 games, the product of Saskatoon, Sask. collected 40 points to lead all Rockets defencemen in scoring. In 112 career regular season contests, Price has totalled 61 points (7G-54A) since being selected by Kelowna in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
PRICE IS RIGHT 🤑
With the 84th overall pick, the #SeaKraken select Caden Price! pic.twitter.com/RTNo4Iktj5
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 29, 2023
Caden Price is a Seattle Kraken! #NHLDraft x #KelownaToTheNHL x @SeattleKraken pic.twitter.com/rsZ6VL1at0
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) June 29, 2023
Saskatoon Blades forward Egor Sidorov is the newest prospect of the Anaheim Ducks after scoring 40 goals during the 2022-23 WHL Regular Season. Sidorov’s 40 goals led the Blades during the regular season; he chipped in with nine goals and 19 points from his 16 WHL Playoffs outings. Sidorov has amassed 111 points (63G-48) in as many regular season games since being selected by Saskatoon in the first round of the 2021 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
There we go!! @77Yegor has been drafted into the @NHL!@AnaheimDucks have got good one 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/SCLvVHUucU
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) June 29, 2023
The Seattle Thunderbirds were represented a third time in the first three rounds of the 2023 NHL Draft at pick number 89, with defenceman Sawyer Mynio being selected by the Vancouver Canucks. Mynio, who hails from Kamloops, B.C., put up 31 points during the regular season for Seattle before helping the Club at both ends of the ice as the Thunderbirds claimed the WHL Championship. Mynio has collected 42 points (9G-33A) from his 115 regular season outings with Seattle since being selected in the third round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
Welcoming BC's own Sawyer Mynio! 👋#NHLDraft | @ToyotaPacific pic.twitter.com/o1JnJP7FBA
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 29, 2023
MYNIO TO THE @Canucks #BirdtotheLeague | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/p2cI6y4Lam
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) June 29, 2023
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL FOURTH-ROUND SELECTIONS
Prince Albert Raiders blueliner Terrell Goldsmith is an Arizona Coyote after being selected 102nd overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. Goldsmith, from Fort St. James, B.C., put up nine points during the regular season but also carried a physical presence on the Raiders blue line. In 115 WHL contests with Prince Albert, the 6-foot-3, 219-pound Goldsmith has amassed 15 points and 156 minutes in penalties since being selected 15th overall in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
With the No. 102 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, we've selected Terrell Goldsmith.
We are excited to welcome you to the Pack, Terrell! 🏜️ pic.twitter.com/Pxa8iRTd3S
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 29, 2023
The Arizona Coyotes have selected Terrell Goldsmith in the fourth round of the NHL Draft! pic.twitter.com/zlrVr3qTqE
— Prince Albert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) June 29, 2023
Scottsdale, Arizona’s Jaden Lipinski is the newest prospect of the Calgary Flames after being selected 112th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, joining Vancouver Giants teammate Samuel Honzek in the Flames organization. Lipinski, who was signed by Vancouver in 2021, collected 51 points during the 2022-23 regular season, earning an invite to the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game. Lipinski has totalled 68 points (27G-41A) from his two WHL campaigns with the Giants, appearing in 134 games.
With the 112th pick in the #NHLDraft the #Flames select Jaden Lipinski 🔥
Welcome to the C of Red, Jaden! #Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/yBvs4gJlqH
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 29, 2023
Another Gman off to Calgary!
The Vancouver Giants would like to congratulate forward Jaden Lipinski on being selected 112th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft! 🎉#NHLDraft | @thewhl pic.twitter.com/pI6WrLFLqP
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) June 29, 2023
The San Jose Sharks selected Portland Winterhawks defenceman Luca Cagnoni with the 123rd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Cagnoni, who hails from Burnaby, B.C., was a spark plug on the Portland blue line, finishing the campaign with 64 points from his 67 regular season outings while also representing the Winterhawks at the 2023 Kubota CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game. In 140 career regular season contests, all with Portland, Cagnoni has totalled 103 points (26G-77A).
FINS UP 🦈
Luca Cagnoni goes to the San Jose Sharks!#PortlandToThePros | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/trqHNj4hVI
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) June 29, 2023
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL FIFTH-ROUND SELECTIONS
The Portland Winterhawks earned back-to-back WHL selections in the 2023 NHL Draft, with defenceman Carter Sotheran hearing his name called in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Flyers. Sotheran, from Sanford, Man., collected 23 points on the Portland blue line, appearing in all 68 regular season contests in his first WHL campaign. The 6-foot-4, 201-pound rearguard was originally selected by the Winterhawks in the fifth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 135th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Carter Sotheran. pic.twitter.com/4D7u6XkMaj
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
FLYIN' HIGH 🔶
Carter Sotheran is a Philadelphia Flyer!#PortlandToThePros | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Z5gNEtUPoZ
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) June 29, 2023
Ranked number-four among North American Goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting, Irma, Alberta’s Scott Ratzlaff became the newest goaltending prospect of the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Ratzlaff led all WHL goaltenders with five shutouts during the regular season, earning a WHL Championship with the Seattle Thunderbirds this past spring. Originally selected by Seattle in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Ratzlaff owns a career 43-10-1-1 record, 2.29 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and six shutouts from his 59 career appearances.
We have selected goaltender Scott Ratzlaff with the 141st overall pick.
Welcome to Buffalo, Scott!#LetsGoBuffalo | @SenecaBuffalo pic.twitter.com/jPYD9A0b5T
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 29, 2023
Ratzy is the newest member of the @BuffaloSabres 👏👏 #BirdtotheLeague | #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/FgwJR7KW0Q
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) June 29, 2023
The Seattle Kraken went back to the WHL well with a fifth-round selection of Everett Silvertips blueliner Kaden Hammell. The product of Langley, B.C., split the 2022-23 WHL season between the Silvertips and Kamloops Blazers, earning eight goals and 26 points, 16 of which came following the January trade south to Everett. Originally selected 19th-overall by Kamloops in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Hammell has accrued 40 points (11G-29A) in 131 WHL games.
HAMMER TIME! 🔨
From right up the road, the #SeaKraken select Kaden Hammell! pic.twitter.com/X8DlTEjo59
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 29, 2023
DROP THE HAMMER! 🔨🔨🔨
KADEN HAMMELL IS A SEATTLE KRAKEN!!!#NHLDraft X @SeattleKraken pic.twitter.com/CV5bSOaUME
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) June 29, 2023
Reigning WHL Goaltender of the Year and WHL Playoffs MVP Thomas Milic earned a fifth-round nod from the Winnipeg Jets Thursday, after leading the League with a 2.08 goals-against average and .928 save percentage during the regular season. The product of Coquitlam, B.C. also helped Canada capture a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship this past January before leading the Seattle Thunderbirds to the 2023 WHL Championship. Originally selected in the third round of the 2018 WHL Draft, Milic has a career 60-23-3-3 record, 2.35 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and eight shutouts over his 91 regular season contests with the Thunderbirds.
If you didn't know @NHLJets fans, he is one in a Mili! #BirdtotheLeague | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/IJmuIZNpp2
— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) June 29, 2023
Victoria Royals defenceman Justin Kipkie was the final selection of the fifth round, going to the Arizona Coyotes 160th overall. Kipkie, from Calgary, Alta., enjoyed a strong second half to the 2022-23 WHL season, finishing the campaign with 33 points in his first full WHL season. Since signing with the Royals, Kipkie holds 33 career points (8G-25A) from his 75 regular season outings.
With the No. 160 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, we've selected Justin Kipkie.
Welcome to the Pack, Justin! 🌵 pic.twitter.com/H3FK9tt6v8
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 29, 2023
Kipkie's going to the desert!
Justin Kipkie has been selected 160th overall by the @ArizonaCoyotes!#NHLDraft #YotesForever pic.twitter.com/oGERUltTVj
— Victoria Royals (@victoriaroyals) June 29, 2023
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL SIXTH-ROUND SELECTIONS
The first selection of the sixth round of the NHL Draft belonged to the Anaheim Ducks, who selected Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Vojtech Port. After beginning the campaign in Red Deer, Port found a home in the Alberta capital, totalling 17 points from 48 appearances after arriving in North American via the 2022 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
After a career year with 32 goals and 78 points, Everett Silvertips forward Austin Roest was selected in the sixth round by the Nashville Predators, the Music City Club’s third WHL pick of the day. Roest, from Coldstream, B.C., finished second in Silvertips team scoring and more than doubled his point total from the 2021-22 campaign. Originally selected by Everett in the third round of the 2019 WHL Draft, Roest has accumulated 118 points (48G-70A) from his 142 career regular season games.
The Victoria Royals had a second defenceman drafted Thursday when Kalem Parker was selected in the sixth round by the Minnesota Wild. Parker, from Clavet, Sask., led all Royals blueliners with 38 points during the 2022-23 Regular Season. Since being selected in the second round of the 2019 WHL Draft by Victoria, he has appeared in 155 games, totalling 64 points (8G-56A).
Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Noah Chadwick is a prospect of the Toronto Maple Leafs after being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. From Saskatoon, Sask., Chadwick put up five goals and 20 points from the Lethbridge blue line, earning a +9 rating from his 67 games in his first full WHL season. Originally selected by the Hurricanes in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Chadwick has amassed 23 points (7G-16A) from his 80 WHL contests.
He led the WHL with a +70 rating and collected a combined 70 points from his regular season and playoff performances, now WHL Champion Jeremy Hanzel is a prospect of the Colorado Avalanche after being selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Hanzel, from Coquitlam, B.C., earned five game-winning goals from his 13 regular season tallies and scored an overtime winner versus the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Conference Championship. Originally signed by the Thunderbirds in 2020, Hanzel has totalled 89 points (22G-67A) from his 152 career regular season contests.
2023 NHL DRAFT – WHL SEVENTH-ROUND SELECTIONS
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Brett Hyland is now a prospect of the Washington Capitals, after being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Hyland, from Edmonton, Alta., scored 26 goals in 42 games, finishing fourth in Wheat Kings scoring during the regular season. Originally selected in the second round by Brandon in the 2018 WHL Draft, Hyland has totalled 86 points (43G-43A) in 129 career regular season games.
The Detroit Red Wings have selected Kamloops Blazers forward Emmitt Finnie in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Hailing from Lethbridge, Alta., Finnie collected 35 points in a deep Kamloops lineup this season, earning special-teams opportunities as the season progressed. Originally selected by the Blazers in the fourth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Finnie has totalled 41 points (9G-32A) in 112 regular season games.
The 2021-22 WHL Scholastic Player of the Year, Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Levis is now a prospect of the Winnipeg Jets after being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Levis, from Vancouver, B.C., put up a career-best 67 points (27G-40A) during the regular season, appearing in each of Kamloops’ 68 games. Originally selected by the Blazers with the 20th-overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft, Levis has amassed 123 points (52G-71A) in 158 career regular season games.
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