Another fresh face is joining the forward group of the Prince George Cougars.
Today (Friday) 16-year-old Cole Hajt signed a WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement with the organization.
He was selected by the Cougars in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft. The El Segundo, California product spent last season with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks U15 AAA program, where he tallied 70 points (26G-44A) and 67 penalty minutes over 66 games.
“We drafted Cole in last season’s U.S. Priority Draft,” said Cougars Director of Scouting Bob Simmonds. “When I first saw him, his upside and potential were so obvious.”
“Cole is a big-bodied centre who continues to get better with every shift and every game,” Simmonds added. “He’s just scratching the surface of where he’s going to end up as a player.”
Cole’s father, Chris, played over 500 professional games in the NHL, AHL, and Europe, and represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship in 1997 (silver medal) and 1998. He also is the current Assistant Coach of the Ontario Reign (AHL). His grandfather, Bill, played more than 850 NHL games for the Buffalo Sabres from 1974–1987.
On Thursday, the Cougars also signed 19-year-old Riley Ashe from the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
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