Americans Select Rios, Picard in 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft
Published on March 25, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
KENNEWICK, WA -Tri-City Americans General Manager Bob Tory announced today that the organization has selected Shaun Rios and Ben Picard in the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects draft. Both players hail from the San Francisco Bay Area and were teammates with the San Jose Jr. Sharks 14U last season.
The Americans used their first-round pick to select Rios at second overall. Rios is a 5-foot-9 and 160-pound forward from San Jose, California. The 15-year-old collected 72 points (43 goals, 29 assists) in 54 games last season.
"Shaun is an elite player who possesses exceptional speed and change of pace," stated Tory. "He is highly skilled with a nose for the net and has a tremendous work ethic with a strong physical presence. Shaun is a clutch performer that plays his best when the game is on-the-line. He plays at a high tempo and is a game changer."
Rios and Picard both competed with the San Jose Jr. Sharks 14U in the inaugural WHL U.S. Challenge Cup in Kent, Washington in February. Through four games played, Rios contributed four goals and three assists.
"I was very excited to see that Tri-City had picked me at number two," stated Rios. "I am proud to be picked so high and I am thankful that Tri-City sees me as an elite player. I've heard many good things about Tri-City and met a couple good people that are a part of the organization.
Playing in the WHL is a big step and is for sure a challenge. From what I know it's a great league and it would be great to play in the WHL."
Tri-City used their second pick to select Picard at 43rd overall. The 6-foot and 165-pound native of Oakland, California plays both forward and defense positions. Last season through 61 games Picard collected 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) and 93 penalty minutes.
"Ben is a power forward with tremendous and great skating ability," stated Tory.
Rios and Picard will join the Americans at the team's training camp in August. (Date TBA.)
The inaugural U.S. Prospects Draft consisted of two rounds and was conducted virtually on WHL.ca. You can view the full list of selections here.
Players eligible for the draft are 2005-born players who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Players not selected in the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, or listed by a WHL Club at any time thereafter.
The Americans will select fourth overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft on Wednesday, 22nd.
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