It was a history-making day for Prince George at the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.
Two players from the city were taken into the top 10, the first time ever this has occurred.
Cameron Schmidt of the Rink Academy in Kelowna was taken 7th overall by the Vancouver Giants while Chase Harrington of the Delta Hockey Academy was picked 8th by the Spokane Chiefs.
The news brought a big smile to the face of former PG Cougar and local product Nick Drazenovic who worked with both kids.
“Emotions are through the roof for the families and it’s kind of cool seeing everyone going through it now and all of their hard work. I think for me, it’s realizing how much work they have put in and how big of a feat it is to get drafted into the WHL at all.”
“They put in the work, they put in the effort. I was just there too to support. I am over the moon about how high they went and they went to great organizations and I look forward to their future.”
Unreal seeing TWO Prince George products drafted 7th and 8th overall! Cam Schmidt to the @WHLGiants and Chase Harrington to the @spokanechiefs Well deserved and the future is bright! @TheWHL @mypgnow @PGCitizen @northernelitebc @WEARERINK @DeltaWildHockey pic.twitter.com/mdHfVRofF3
— Nick Drazenovic (@Drazzy1010) May 19, 2022
Drazenovic adds it’s a big deal to have two blue-chip prospects get their names called
“I bleed Prince George blood and I am super excited for the city and hockey development up here. Obviously, they had to leave and go to their academies and continue on their path. To have Prince George’s name called twice in the first is really special.”
“I started with both of them when they were nine and I worked a little bit more with Chase. I was neighbours with the Schmidt’s so we go back quite a few years and I was always there for them. I know it is tough sledding to make it out of the north and the odds are stacked against you to make it all.”
Harrington posted 50 points in 29 games with Delta’s U-15 prep squad. Schmidt on the other hand had 41 points in 15 games with the Rink Academy’s U-15 Prep Team. Schmidt posted six goals and three assists in 2019-20 with the Cariboo Cougars U-15 AAA team before moving to the Okanagan.
In addition, local product and Cariboo Cougar U-15 player Ryder Green was selected by the Brandon Wheatkings in the eighth round (158th overall).
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