Winterhawks to select 17th in WHL Prospects & U.S. Priority Drafts

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League today announced the results for the WHL U.S. Priority Draft and Prospects Draft lotteries. The U.S. Priority Draft is set for May 10, and the Prospects Draft will follow on May 11.

All six WHL Clubs that did not qualify for the 2023 WHL Playoffs participated in the lotteries. Having finished sixth in the overall regular-season standings among the 22 member clubs, the Winterhawks’ selections will begin at 17th overall in both drafts. The full order for the 2023 U.S. Priority Draft and 2023 WHL Prospects Draft are below.

2023 WHL U.S. PRIORITY DRAFT – ORDER OF SELECTION

First Round
1. Spokane Chiefs
2. Victoria Royals
3. Edmonton Oil Kings
4. Swift Current Broncos
5. Prince Albert Raiders
6. Brandon Wheat Kings
7. Kelowna Rockets
8. Vancouver Giants
9. Medicine Hat Tigers
10. Everett Silvertips
11. Calgary Hitmen
12. Regina Pats
13. Tri-City Americans
14. Lethbridge Hurricanes
15. Prince George Cougars
16. Moose Jaw Warriors
17. Portland Winterhawks
18. Red Deer Rebels
19. Saskatoon Blades
20. Kamloops Blazers
21. Seattle Thunderbirds
22. Winnipeg ICE

Second Round
23. Edmonton Oil Kings
24. Spokane Chiefs
25. Victoria Royals
26. Kelowna Rockets
27. Prince Albert Raiders
28. Brandon Wheat Kings
29. Vancouver Giants
30. Swift Current Broncos
31. Medicine Hat Tigers
32. Everett Silvertips
33. Calgary Hitmen
34. Regina Pats
35. Tri-City Americans
36. Lethbridge Hurricanes
37. Prince George Cougars
38. Moose Jaw Warriors
39. Portland Winterhawks
40. Red Deer Rebels
41. Saskatoon Blades
42. Kamloops Blazers
43. Seattle Thunderbirds
44. Winnipeg ICE

Players eligible for the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft include 2008-born players who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Players not selected in the 2023 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday, May 11, 2023, or listed by a WHL Club at any time thereafter.

2023 WHL PROSPECTS DRAFT – FIRST ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION

1. Prince Albert Raiders (from Edmonton)
2. Prince Albert Raiders
3. Spokane Chiefs
4. Victoria Royals
5. Brandon Wheat Kings
6. Vancouver Giants (from Swift Current)
7. Prince Albert Raiders (from Kelowna)
8. Vancouver Giants
9. Medicine Hat Tigers
10. Everett Silvertips
11. Calgary Hitmen
12. Edmonton Oil Kings (from Regina)
13. Tri-City Americans
14. Lethbridge Hurricanes
15. Prince George Cougars
16. Moose Jaw Warriors
17. Portland Winterhawks
18. Red Deer Rebels
19. Brandon Wheat Kings (from Saskatoon)
20. Everett Silvertips (from Kamloops)
21. Saskatoon Blades (from Seattle)
22. Spokane Chiefs (from Winnipeg)

2023 WHL PROSPECTS DRAFT – SECOND ROUND (AND SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS) ORDER OF SELECTION

1. Edmonton Oil Kings
2. Spokane Chiefs
3. Victoria Royals
4. Prince Albert Raiders
5. Brandon Wheat Kings
6. Swift Current Broncos
7. Kelowna Rockets
8. Vancouver Giants
9. Medicine Hat Tigers
10. Everett Silvertips
11. Calgary Hitmen
12. Regina Pats
13. Tri-City Americans
14. Lethbridge Hurricanes
15. Prince George Cougars
16. Moose Jaw Warriors
17. Portland Winterhawks
18. Red Deer Rebels
19. Saskatoon Blades
20. Kamloops Blazers
21. Seattle Thunderbirds
22. Winnipeg ICE

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.

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Playoffs are right around the corner! Cheer on the Hawks in round one as they embark on their 12th straight trip to the postseason with a battle against the Everett Silvertips. The action starts March 31 in the VMC, and fans can purchase single-game tickets and playoff packages by calling 503-236-4295!

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