2018 NHL Draft Preview
June 21, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Swift Current Broncos News Release
It's that time of year again. The 2018 NHL Draft is upon us and is occurring on Friday, June 22nd and Saturday June 23rd at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and there are a pair of Broncos that look to hear their name called over the course of the event.
Artyom Minulin and Joel Hofer are the two Broncos that are eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft and could be regarded as NHL prospects when it's complete. Minulin and Hofer were ranked on the NHL's Central Scouting Final Rankings released on April 16th.
Minulin was drafted by Swift Current in the first round, 29th overall in the 2015 CHL Import Draft and has completed three full seasons with the club. Minulin had a steady campaign on the score sheet once again as he was tied for first amongst Broncos rear guards in goals (13) and finished second in points (43) in 64 games played. The Russian Import also amassed an impressive plus-37 rating and netted five power play goals while chipping in eight points (1g-7a) in 20 postseason contests, helping the Broncos win the Ed Chynoweth Cup as 2018 WHL Champions. On top of his on-ice success for Swift Current, the 1998-born defenceman participated at the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Series for the second straight season, representing Team Russia. That led to an invitation for Minulin to suit up for his native Russia at the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York this past winter. A product of Tyumen, Russia, Minulin is ranked 186th on NHL Central Scouting's Final rankings.
Rookie goaltender Joel Hofer made the Swift Current Broncos roster in September 2017 after participating with the club in training camp. The product of Winnipeg, MB had a productive season for the Broncos as he posted an 8-3-1-1 in 19 appearances. The 17-year-old goaltender owned a .914 save percentage and a 2.61 goals against average with one shutout to go along with two relief appearances during the 2018 WHL Playoffs. Checking in at 6'3? and 157lbs, Hofer was named the Broncos' Rookie of the Year during their annual awards ceremony at the end of the regular season. Hofer enters the 2018 NHL Draft ranked seventh overall amongst North American goaltenders according to NHL Central Scouting.
Broncos blue liner Sahvan Khaira is also eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft so be sure to keep an eye out as his name could be called. Khaira played a significant role for the Broncos throughout the season and recorded a career high 26 points (6g-20a) while playing in all 26 postseason games throughout the Broncos championship run.
The 2018 NHL Draft will commence on June 22nd and 23rd. The first round will begin at 5:30pm MT (4:30pm PT) on Friday the 22nd while rounds 2-7 will start at 9:00am MT (8:00am PT) on Saturday the 23rd.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 21, 2018
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