Winterhawks select two Americans at 2023 U.S. Priority Draft

Portland, Ore. – The Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club is proud to announce the selections of forwards Landon Amrhein and Luke Wilfley during today’s 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft.

“We’re really pleased to add two high-end prospects to our 2008-born draft class this morning in Landon and Luke,” said Winterhawks Assistant to the General Manager and Director of Scouting Mike Coflin. “They both project to be able to play at the top end of our lineup and we look forward to sharing more about our program with them when they attend Neely Cup Training Camp later this summer.”

With the 17th overall pick, the Winterhawks selected Amrhein, a 6-foot-3, 170-pound forward from Dallas, Texas. Amrhein scored 45 goals and 57 assists for 102 points in 58 games for the Dallas Stars Elite U14 AAA last season while serving as an alternate captain. He also produced 11 points in five T1EHL playoff games.

Amrhein has skated with the Stars Elite program each of the last three years, producing well over a point-per-game pace in the Lone Star state. He also wears #71 for the Stars Elite program, following in the footsteps of another in Winterhawks alumnus and Detroit Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas, who sported #71 during his Dallas playing days as well.

“We are thrilled to welcome Landon into the Winterhawks family today,” said Winterhawks Director of Hockey Operations and U.S. Scouting Greg Sampson. “The sky is the limit for this player. Landon’s unique combination of size, outstanding vision and scoring touch provide a strong foundation for him to excel at our level.”

With the Club’s second selection, the Winterhawks selected Luke Wilfley with the 39th overall pick. Wilfley, a 5-foot-8, 134-pound forward from Englewood, CO, spent last season playing for the Colorado Springs Tigers – where he logged eight points in seven games – and Okanagan Hockey Academy Colorado – where he served as an alternate captain. His two-way style caught the eye of Winterhawks scouts ahead of the draft.

“Luke is a quick and creative 200-foot player,” said Sampson. “He’s defensively responsible and makes great decisions with the puck. We see a lot of upside and are excited by his potential as a player in the Winterhawks organization.”

The Winterhawks will continue to add to their prospect group during the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, which takes place tomorrow (Thursday) beginning at 9 a.m. PT. Fans can watch the draft live online and follow the action at whl.ca/draft.

Players eligible for the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft will be 2008-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.