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Brandon Wheat Kings

Isles Select Ryan Pilon

June 27, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Sunrise, FLA - The 2015 National Hockey League Draft has come and gone and after having one defenceman go seventh overall in Friday night's first round, another was chosen in the fifth round of day two in Sunrise, Florida.

Defenceman Ryan Pilon became the second Brandon blueliner to be chosen by the Islanders in three years, going to New York with the 147th overall selection.

An 18-year old from Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, Pilon scored eleven goals and 52 points in 68 games with the Wheat Kings during the 2015-16 Western Hockey League season.

Pilon's selection comes two years after the Islanders called on Ryan Pulock in the opening round.

In addition to Pulock, the Islanders have former Brandon defenceman Travis Hamonic on their current roster. Pilon is also the nephew of former Isles' defenceman Rich Pilon.

In 193 career WHL games, the former first round bantam draft choice has scored 23 goals and 126 points.

Pilon and Pulock are two of nine Brandon players to be chosen by the Islanders in the NHL draft. Others selected by New York include the likes of Wade Redden (1st round, 1995) and current Winnipeg Jets' general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff (1st round, 1988).

Rounding out the list of former Wheat Kings to be taken by the Islanders include Tim Lockridge, Dean Sexsmith, George Maneluk, Bobby Leavins and current Regina Pats' President Todd Lumbard.

Brandon's Ivan Provorov meanwhile was chosen by Philadelphia on Friday night, becoming the first Wheat King to be chosen by the Flyers in the first round of the draft in 36 years. Brian Propp was selected 14th overall by the Flyers in 1979.

The WHL's Eastern Conference Defenceman of the Year this past season, Provorov led all rookies in scoring and finished fourth among WHL blueliners with fifteen goals and 61 points. He also captured a Silver Medal with Team Russia at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Brandon has now had seven players chosen over the course of the last three seasons. While Pulock and Eric Roy were chosen in 2013, John Quenneville, Jayce Hawryluk and Richard Nejezchleb were selected last June.

A total of 34 WHLers were chosen in this year's draft.

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