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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Pick McIntosh-Asgard and Hupka in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft

March 25, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


The Spokane Chiefs made two selections in the inaugural 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft on Wednesday afternoon, choosing defensemen Anthony McIntosh-Asgard (Minot, N.D.) and Liam Hupka (Eden Prairie, Minn.).

At 13th overall, the Chiefs used their first-round choice on defenseman Anthony McIntosh-Asgard out of Minot, North Dakota. Standing 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, the left-shot blueliner piled up 59 points including 21 goals in 35 games with the Minot Wolves U-14 squad last season. He also scored a goal and added four assists in 14 games with Team North Dakota of the Minnesota Bantam Elite League.

"Anthony is a highly-competitive and athletic player that likes to push the pace and create offense at every opportunity," said Chiefs' Director of U.S. Scouting George Ross. "We felt he was one of the best skaters in this draft class and that his game translates well with the style we like to play in Spokane.

"We are very excited to be able to select him and privileged to welcome Anthony and his family to the Chiefs organization."

Early in the second round, at 32nd overall, Spokane again went with a rearguard from the Midwest, selecting Liam Hupka out of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Listed at 5-foot-10 but measuring taller after a year of growth, Hupka picked up a goal and five assists in 21 games split between the Penguins and Blue Army Selects of the MNBEL.

"Liam is a big, physical defenseman that can shut down the opposition's top line and also chip in offensively," added Ross. "He skates well for a bigger player and moves the puck with ease. Liam is a high character kid that has been a leader on every team he has played for to date.

"We feel that he has tremendous upside and look forward to watching him develop in the years to come."

Both players will be eligible to play for the Chiefs full-time starting with the 2021-22 season.

Spokane Chiefs' 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft Class

1st Round (13th Overall) - Anthony McIntosh-Asgard

Position: Defense

Hometown: Minot, ND

Measurables*: 5'11", 165 lbs, shoots left

2019-20: Minot Wolves U-14, MNBEL Team North Dakota

Stats (combined): 22 goals, 42 assists, 64 points in 49 games

2nd Round (32nd Overall) - Liam Hupka

Position: Defense

Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN

Measurables*: 5'10", 130 lbs, shoots right

2019-20: MNBEL Penguins, Blue Army Selects U-14

Stats (combined): 1 goal, 5 assists, 6 points in 21 games

*measurables as of beginning of 2019-20 season or latest available data

About the U.S. Prospects Draft

Players eligible for the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft were 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.

All 22 WHL member Clubs had equal opportunity to obtain the first-overall selection. The Red Deer Rebels were designated to select first overall in the first round, then selected last in the second round (44th overall).

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.

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