Listen Live
Listen Live

Update: PG Cougars shore up the blueline with top selection at WHL Prospects Draft

The Prince George Cougars headed to the prairies for their initial selection at the 2021 WHL Prospects draft.

With the 15th overall pick, the Cats took defenceman Tyson Buczkowski of the Saskatoon Blazers U-18 program.

The Cougars then selected forward Hunter Laing from the Rink Academy program in Kelowna 33rd overall.

In round three, the Cats took right-winger Riley Ashe (56th overall) from the Saskatoon Blazers followed by defenceman Matt Lahey (63rd overall) from the Pacific Coast Hockey Academy.

Terik Parascak was the Cougars lone selection in the fourth round (78th overall). The Lethbridge-born forward plays for the Edge School program in Calgary.

Goaltender Madden Mulawka was taken in round five (100th overall) out of the Edmonton MLAC U-18 team.

Another blueliner was taken in round six as Tyson Matthews was the selection (128th) from the Okanagan Rockets U-17 club.

In addition, the Cats had two selections in the seventh. They were Garret Thom (142nd overall) from OHA Edmonton followed by Carter Onrait of the Estevan Bears (144th overall).

The Cougars remained busy in the later rounds plucking defenceman Drew Peterson and Reis Nyland with 164th and 166th selections.

The Cougars ended up making 11 picks, six forwards, four defencemen and one goalie.

In addition, three PG products were taken by other WHL clubs.

Forward Miguel Marques was taken 10th overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

He is currently with the Delta Hockey Academy’s U-17 Prep team.

Marques is the highest PG minor hockey player picked in the WHL draft since 2007, when the Prince George Cougars selected forward Brett Connolly 10th overall.

Forward Rebman Smyth was picked by the Saskatoon Blades in round three (62nd overall).

To top it off, the Everett Silvertips scooped up defenceman Kenyon McIsaac of the Burnaby Winter Club U-16 prep team in the ninth round (190th overall)

Forward Diego Johnson of Fort Saint James heard his name called in the sixth round by the Seattle Thunderbirds (120th overall).

The Cougars first pick, 15th overall, was defenceman Tyson Buczkowski from Saskatoon.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

City Council waiting for more information before saying yes to World Cup watch parties

Prince George City Council has decided to wait for more information before making a decision on hosting watch parties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.At Wednesday's meeting, City Council discussed a notice of motion put forward by Councillors Ron Polillo and Cori Ramsay, directing staff to work with a few local organizations to plan and execute outdoor watch parties to be held at Canada Games Plaza. 

Mounties host block parties to re-engage Block Watch programs

The Prince George RCMP hosted a Block Watch Part at Shas Ti Kelly Road yesterday (Saturday). This was one of four Block Watch Parties to be put on by the RCMP, each of them encompassed different parts of the city.

Darin’s Sports Shorts; Sunday, September 21st

Recap of local and national sports.

New-look Cougars sink their teeth into Portland

The Cougars find themselves off for the next 12 days before heading to Spokane for a two-game set against the Chiefs October 3rd and 4th.

Three workshops coming to Prince George for Alzheimer caregivers

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will be hosting free workshops in Prince George next week.
- Advertisement -