No one ever would of seen this one coming. And he just happened to be in Everett when he got drafted. Too bad that in Red Deer we will only have the chance to play once and that will be in 2025-26. Knowing how luck has it he will be away at World Juniors or something that game too.
Brock, an exceptionally skilled defenseman, showcases remarkable puck control and decision-making abilities akin to a top-tier forward. He persistently drives up the ice, evading pressure to identify outlets, and leverages the strength of his teammates to audaciously enter scoring zones. Notably, he has participated in U18 games as a forward, even assuming responsibility for faceoffs.
An offensive defender who comes alive in transition and on the PP. He has a quick reaction time to shift his balance laterally when he’s a puck carrier and looks for positive outlet passes and spots to step into his strong shot release from the point.
In the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, the first trade of the day occurred between the Prince Albert Raiders and the Kelowna Rockets. The Raiders successfully traded up to obtain the fourth overall pick, giving away their ninth overall pick, one of their three third-round picks (57th overall), and a fifth-round pick in 2025. The Raiders used this newly acquired pick to select Ben Harvey, a forward from NAX U15 Prep. Harvey showcased impressive performance with 52 points in the regular season and 11 points in the playoffs.
The skilled, intelligent forward may not stand out due to his lack of size and explosiveness. However, his remarkable balance and posture during turns and crossovers are noteworthy. As he gains more power, his offense will only improve. Kayden demonstrates a strong understanding of spacing and effectively utilizes his teammates to create scoring opportunities. His performance on breakaways and rush chances has been exceptional.
Calder Hamilton, newly drafted by the WHL Calgary Hitmen, is a promising prospect with impressive physicality and strong puck-handling skills. His tenacity and determination on the ice make him a valuable asset for the team, while his ability to read the game and make smart decisions contribute to his potential for success at the junior level. He also broke Morgan Rielly’s old Saskatchewan U15 defenceman scoring record.
The Spokane Chiefs selected forward Ossie McIntyre in the first round (7th overall) of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. General Manager Matt Bardsley praised McIntyre’s skill set and personality. McIntyre, a 5-foot-6 forward from St. Albert, Alberta, scored 104 points in 34 games for the St. Albert Sabres (AAA U15) during the 2023-24 season. He led the AEHL in scoring and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team in April. McIntyre joins recent first-round picks by Spokane, including Mathis Preston, Carter Esler, Chase Harrington, Berkly Catton, and Saige Weinstein.
The Royals selected Jacob Schwartz from St. George’s U15 Prep with the 8th overall pick. He scored 30 goals and 26 assists for 56 points in 26 games this season, leading the CSSHL in goal scoring. Standing 5’9″ and weighing 150 lbs, Schwartz’s competitiveness and ability to score and make plays make him a valuable addition to the organization, according to Royals’ Head Scout Tanner McCall.
The Kelowna Rockets made a strategic move by trading their fourth overall pick to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for the ninth overall pick, a third-round pick (no. 57), and a fifth-round pick in 2025. With their first pick of the day, the Rockets selected defenseman Owen Hayden from the Calgary NWCAA U15 AAA Flames of the AEHL. Born in 2009, Hayden had an impressive season, scoring 24 points (1G, 23A) and 40 penalty minutes through 30 games. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 194 pounds, this left-shot defenseman has been praised by Rockets head scout Terry McFaul for his sound defensive skills, physicality, and potential for growth. Drawing comparisons to former Rocket Tyler Myers, Hayden is expected to be a valuable asset to the team.
The Vancouver Giants selected Blake Chorney, a forward from Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep, in the first round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. Chorney played a crucial role in securing the U15 Prep Western Championship for NAX and demonstrated strong performance in both regular and playoff games. Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner praised Chorney’s hard work and complete forward abilities. Chorney will join the Saskatoon Blazers for the 2024-25 season.
England is an aggressive and powerful skater who thrives on taking shots from the half wall or during a rush. His ability to spin away from pressure, win puck races, and alter the course of a game with his intensity is remarkable. Despite playing on a talented roster at Edge this season, he has yet to establish a consistent rhythm. However, all the necessary attributes are present for him to excel.
The Wenatchee Wild participated in the 2024 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft and successfully selected 13 players. The team’s first-ever turn in the WHL Prospects Draft followed their involvement in the U.S. Priority Draft. Their first selection was Boston Tait, a defenseman from Estevan, Saskatchewan, who scored 46 points in 24 games last season. Wild director of scouting Leigh Mendelson expressed satisfaction with the pick, describing Tait as a well-rounded player who will be a cornerstone for their program.
With the 13th overall pick, the Hurricanes selected 15-year-old forward Tyden Lafournaise, who scored 126 points in 32 games for the Winnipeg Bruins U15 AAA team. Head Scout Rob MacLachlan praised Lafournaise as potentially the best forward in the WHL, noting his elite scoring and distribution abilities. Standing at 6’0 and 170 pounds, Lafournaise also played for the Winnipeg Bruins U17 AAA team, leading the U15 league in points, assists, and ranking third in goals. He was named a first-team league all-star.
In 2023-24, Chase Surkan broke a 20-year record in the Saskatchewan U15AA ranks, scoring 135 points in just 27 games. The Wheat Kings drafted him, impressed by his exceptional hockey sense and scoring ability. Surkan has already scored a goal in the U18AAA ranks with the Regina Pat Canadians and is expected to develop further in the league known for producing mature players. The Wheat Kings were thrilled to find him available at the 14th pick, as he was considered a potential top-ten pick due to his dynamic skills.
The Red Deer Rebels have chosen Graeme Pickering, a defenceman, as their 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. Pickering, hailing from St. Adolphe, Manitoba, played for RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg U15 in 2023-24, amassing 36 points in 27 games. The right-shooting blue liner stands at 5’9 and weighs 145 pounds. Notably, he is the younger brother of Swift Current Broncos captain and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Owen Pickering and cousin of Moose Jaw Warriors captain, WHL Defenceman of the Year, and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Denton Mateychuk.
The Medicine Hat Tigers drafted Luke Ruptash, a forward from St. Albert, in the first round of the Western Hockey League Prospects Draft. Ruptash played for the St. Albert Raiders U-15 AAA team, scoring 57 points in 29 games. Tigers Director of Player Personnel, Bobby Fox, praised Ruptash’s power forward abilities, skill, competitiveness, and physicality. Desjardins, the Tigers’ Head Coach and General Manager, also commended Ruptash’s speed, skill, and grit, stating he is a perfect fit for their team.
The Swift Current Broncos made a notable selection in the first round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft by choosing a local talent. They picked 15-year-old Carter Moen, a forward from Swift Current, with the 17th overall pick. Moen showcased impressive skills in the previous season, scoring 28 goals, providing 21 assists, and accumulating 49 points in 25 games for the Swift Current Pure Chem U15 AA Broncos. He has committed to playing for the Swift Current U18 AAA Legionnaires in the upcoming 2024-25 season.Moen is the son of former NHLers Travis Moen.
The Royals chose Ludovic Perreault from Winnipeg Bruins U15AAA with the 18th pick. The centerman from Winnipeg, MB scored 67 goals and had 25 assists in 32 games, totaling 92 points. He played one game for the Winnipeg Bruins U17 AAA Team and ranked second in goals in the WAAA U15 league. At 5’9″ and 148 lbs, Perreault is a skilled and fast centerman, according to Royals’ Head Scout Tanner McCall
The Everett Silvertips have drafted center Mirco Dufour as their 19th pick in the 2024 WHL Draft. Dufour, a skilled and quick player, is expected to fit well with the team’s forward group. He had a successful season with Edge School U15 Prep, scoring 21 goals and 21 assists in 21 games, and also performed well in the John Reid Bantam tournament and the 2024 Alberta Cup. Dufour was named a Second-Team All-Star at the CSSHL U15 level in 2023-24 and previously led the league in goals in 2022-23.
During the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, the Prince George Cougars made ten picks, selecting five forwards, four defenceman, and one netminder. Their first pick at number 21 was 5’10” winger Dade Wotherspoon from Martensville, Saskatchewan. Cougars Director of Scouting, Bob Simmonds, praised Wotherspoon’s performance, stating that his playoff performance was “off the charts” and built on an impressive regular season.
“Asher is a smooth-skating two-way forward. He puts up a lot of numbers. We’re excited to have him fall to us at 22.” – Blazers Dir. Of Player Personnel
