The Spokane Chiefs won the 2015 WHL bantam draft lottery with a pick that was acquired via trade from the Saskatoon Blades in 2013. The Blades have traded away back-to-back first overall picks. The Lethbridge Hurricanes will select second and the Vancouver Giants third. The Moose Jaw Warriors have both the 4th and 6th overall picks. The Prince George Cougars will pick 8th. The 2015 WHL Bantam Draft will be held on May 7, 2015 in Calgary.
Following is the order of selection for the 1st round of the WHL Bantam Draft:
# CLUB TRADED TO
1. Saskatoon Blades Spokane
2. Lethbridge Hurricanes
3. Vancouver Giants
4. Kamloops Blazers Moose Jaw
5. Prince Albert Raiders
6. Moose Jaw Warriors
7. Tri-City Americans
8. Prince George Cougars
9. Spokane Chiefs
10. Swift Current Broncos
11. Edmonton Oil Kings
12. Kootenay Ice Saskatoon
13. Victoria Royals
14. Regina Pats
15. Seattle Thunderbirds
16. Red Deer Rebels
17. Portland Winterhawks Forfeit
18. Medicine Hat Tigers
19. Everett Silvertips Saskatoon
20. Calgary Hitmen
21. Kelowna Rockets Prince Albert
22. Brandon Wheat Kings
–The WHL has named its awards finalists and Conference all-stars teams. The Prince George Cougars did not have any of their players named. The Cougars first round series against the Royals will begin Friday and continue Saturday in Victoria. Games three and four will be played at CN Centre April 1st and 2nd. If necessary games are scheduled for April 4th in Victoria, April 6th in P.G.and April 8th in Victoria.
WHL WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR TEAMS
FIRST ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Taran Kozun, Seattle Thunderbirds
Defenceman – Shea Theodore, Seattle Thunderbirds
Defenceman – Madison Bowey, Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Cole Ully, Kamloops Blazers
Forward – Rourke Chartier, Kelowna Rockets
SECOND ALL-STAR TEAM
Goaltender – Eric Comrie, Tri-City Americans
Defenceman – Joe Hicketts, Victoria Royals
Defenceman – Josh Morrissey, Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Nic Petan, Portland Winterhawks
Forward – Nick Merkley, Kelowna Rockets
Forward – Adam Helewka, Spokane Chiefs
–The Vancouver Giants have confirmed that Claude Noel will not be back behind their bench, meaning the team will have its 4th head coach in three years. The Giants missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons and finished 20th overall out of 22. The Giants were 17-23-2-2 under Noel, mildly better than the 10-18 start they had under Troy Ward.
–Former Prince George Cougars defenceman Martin Marincin of the Edmonton Oilers scored his first NHL goal in a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. It was the 77th NHL game for the 23-year-old Marincin, who was born in Slovakia.
–The Penticton Vees won the opening game in the BCHL three team double round robin semi-finals. The Vees on home ice outscored the Nanaimo Clippers 4-1. The next game has the Chilliwack Chiefs at Nanaimo on Friday. The top two teams advance to the Fred Page Cup best of seven final.
–The 88th Kelly Cup, with over 30 teams, will begin today and continue until Sunday. The PG Ladies Bonspiel will also take place this weekend at the PG Golf and Curling Club.
–The Prince George Open Ball Hockey League best of five final between Team Shaw and Team Bruisers will begin Sunday at 9 p.m. at the PG Roll-a-Dome.