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34 WHL Players Selected in 2016 NHL Draft

June 25, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Buffalo, NY - The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 34 WHL players were selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, which concluded today at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY.

The 34 WHL players selected in the 2016 NHL Draft represented the second-most prospects provided out of any league in the world. Four of the WHL players selected in the 2016 NHL Draft were chosen in the first round.

The Canadian Hockey League (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) as a whole provided 96 of the 211 draft picks this year. In addition, 15 of the 30 first round selections developed this year in the Canadian Hockey League.

Since the 1967 NHL Amateur Draft, 1,967 players have been selected out of the WHL.

Friday night saw Calgary Hitmen defenceman Jake Bean get the WHL started when he was selected 13th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. The Calgary, AB native led all WHL defencemen in goals last season with 24, setting a franchise record in the process.

Also selected in the first round on Friday were Brett Howden (27th, Tampa Bay / Oakbank, MB / Moose Jaw Warriors), Lucas Johansen (28th, Washington / Port Moody, BC / Kelowna Rockets) and Sam Steel (30th, Anaheim / Sherwood Park, AB / Regina Pats).

Saturday began with Vancouver Giants captain Tyler Benson being selected by the Edmonton Oilers 32nd overall. Benson, who was plagued by injuries last season, was drafted by his hometown team in the Oilers.

WHL and CHL Goaltender of the Year Carter Hart of the Everett Silvertips became the first goaltender selected in the 2016 NHL Draft when the Philadelphia Flyers used the 48th overall pick to snag the Sherwood Park, AB native.

The Calgary Hitmen led the way this year with five players selected in the NHL Draft. The Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals each provided four players, while 17 of the WHL's 22 teams saw players hear their names called on draft day.

2016 NHL Draft, WHL Players

Overall. Player (POS); NHL Team; WHL Team; Hometown

Round 1

#13. Jake Bean (D); Carolina Hurricanes; Calgary Hitmen; Calgary, AB

#27. Brett Howden (C); Tampa Bay Lightning; Moose Jaw Warriors; Oakbank, MB

#28. Lucas Johansen (D); Washington Capitals; Kelowna Rockets; Port Moody, BC

#30. Sam Steel (C); Anaheim Ducks; Regina Pats; Sherwood Park, AB

Round 2

#32. Tyler Benson (LW); Edmonton Oilers; Vancouver Giants; Edmonton, AB

#37. Libor Hajek (D); Tampa Bay Lightning; Saskatoon Blades; Smrcek, Czech Republic

#48. Carter Hart (G); Philadelphia Flyers; Everett Silvertips; Sherwood Park, AB

#51. Kale Clague (D); Los Angeles Kings; Brandon Wheat Kings; Lloydminster, AB

#56. Dillon Dube (C); Calgary Flames; Kelowna Rockets; Calgary, AB

Round 3

#71. Josh Anderson (D); Colorado Avalanche; Prince George Cougars; Duncan, BC

#74. Hudson Elynuik (C); Carolina Hurricanes; Spokane Chiefs; Calgary, AB

#82. Carsen Twarynski (LW); Philadelphia Flyers; Calgary Hitmen; Calgary, AB

#85. Josh Mahura (D); Anaheim Ducks; Red Deer Rebels; St. Albert, AB

#87. Garrett Pilon (C); Washington Capitals; Kamloops Blazers; Saskatoon, SK

#88. Connor Ingram (G); Tampa Bay Lightning; Kamloops Blazers; Imperial, SK

Round 4

#92. Adam Brooks (C); Toronto Maple Leafs; Regina Pats; Winnipeg, MB

#111. Noah Gregor (C); San Jose Sharks; Moose Jaw Warriors; Beaumont, AB

#119. Tanner Kaspick (C); St. Louis Blues; Brandon Wheat Kings; Brandon, MB

Round 5

#122. Vladimir Bobylev (RW); Toronto Maple Leafs; Victoria Royals; Lipetsk, Russia

#127. Jordy Stallard (C); Winnipeg Jets; Calgary Hitmen; Brandon, MB

#130. Vojtech Budik (D); Buffalo Sabres; Prince Albert Raiders; Holice, Czech Republic

#133. Max Lajoie (D); Ottawa Senators; Swift Current Broncos; Calgary, AB

#144. Conner Bleackley (C); St. Louis Blues; Red Deer Rebels; High River, AB

#145. Beck Malenstyn (LW); Washington Capitals; Calgary Hitmen; Delta, BC

Round 6

#152. Jack Walker (F/D); Toronto Maple Leafs; Victoria Royals; Edina, MN

#154. Jakob Stukel (LW); Vancouver Canucks; Calgary Hitmen; Surrey, BC

#159. Brandon Hagel (LW); Buffalo Sabres; Red Deer Rebels; Morinville, AB

#166. Matthew Phillips (C); Calgary Flames; Victoria Royals; Calgary, AB

Round 7

#184. Rodrigo Abols (C); Vancouver Canucks; Portland Winterhawks; Riga, Latvia

#185. Calvin Thurkauf (C); Columbus Blue Jackets; Kelowna Rockets; Zug, Switzerland

#200. David Quenneville (D); New York Islanders; Medicine Hat Tigers; Edmonton, AB

#201. Ty Ronning (RW); New York Rangers; Vancouver Giants; Burnaby, BC

#204. Brayden Chizen (D); Minnesota Wild; Kelowna Rockets; St. Albert, AB

#205. Tyler Soy (C); Anaheim Ducks; Victoria Royals; Cloverdale, BC

Recent NHL Draft Results (WHL)

-A total of 34 WHL players were selected in the 2016 NHL Draft, including four in the first round.

-A total of 35 WHL players were selected in the 2015 NHL Draft, including five in the first round.

-A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2014 NHL Draft, including nine in the first round.

-A total of 33 WHL players were selected in the 2013 NHL Draft, including eight in the first round.

-A total of 32 WHL players were selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, including six in the first round.

-A total of 33 WHL players were selected in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, including five in the first round.

-A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, including seven in the first round.

-A total of 31 WHL players were selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, including five in the first round.

-A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the first round.

-A total of 37 WHL players were selected in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, including nine in the first round.

-A total of 24 WHL players were selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

-A total of 43 WHL players were selected in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2016


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