The first round of the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft is next Friday, June 22 at 4 p.m., and the Winterhawks will be hosting watch parties at the two Big Al’s locations and McGillicuddy’s Sports Bar & Grill.

Winterhawks defenseman Derrick Pouliot is projected as a first round pick, having been ranked 12th among North American defensemen in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s final rankings. In addition, Winterhawks players Josh Hanson (102nd), Brendan Leipsic (114th) and Taylor Leier (131st) all made the rankings.

Big Al’s is located in Beaverton at 14950 Southwest Barrows Road and Vancouver at 16615 Southeast 18th Street. The Beaverton party will be hosted by the radio broadcast team of Todd Vrooman and Andy Kemper, while the Vancouver party will be hosted by radio analysts Dean “Scooter” Vrooman and John Kirby. McGillicuddy’s is located at 11133 NE Halsey Street in Portland. The parties will feature prize drawings, food and drink specials, and other exciting events.

After the first round on June 22, the draft will continue with the remaining six rounds the following day, Saturday, June 23.

The Hawks have had four first round picks over the last two years: Sven Bartschi (Calgary) and Joe Morrow (Pittsburgh) last year and Ryan Johansen (Columbus) and Nino Niederreiter (New York Islanders) in 2010. Portland has had 12 total players selected over the last two drafts.

If Pouliot does get selected in the first round, it will mark the first time the team will have had players taken in the first round in three straight years since 1978-1983, when the team had first round picks in six consecutive years.

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now. Visit winterhawks.com or call 503-236-HAWK to make sure you catch all the action.