WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Prepare for Two Drafts, Including First Overall Pick in WHL Prospects Draft

December 7, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs hockey staff will select the next class of future Chiefs this week as the WHL will host two talent drafts. The WHL U.S. Priority Draft will take place on Wednesday, December 8 before the annual WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday, December 9. Real-time results will be available at WHL.ca/draft.

U.S. Priority Draft

The 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will consist of two rounds and 44 selections, with each WHL Club presented with the opportunity to make two draft choices. Spokane holds the 16th and 29th overall picks.

The order of selection was determined on June 3, 2021 through the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft Lottery, with all 22 WHL Clubs holding andequal opportunity to obtain the first-overall selection. Players eligible for the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft are 2006-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 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday, December 9, or listed by a WHL Club at any time thereafter.

Prospects Draft

WATCH LIVE - Pre-Show at 8:30 a.m. PT / WHL Prospects Draft at 9 a.m. PT

The first round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft (formerly called the WHL Bantam Draft), including a 30-minute pre-show, will be livestreamed FREE via WHL Live on CHL TV. All that is required is to register and login using a free account with CHL TV, no subscription necessary. The 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Pre-Show begins with co-hosts Chris Wahl and Taylor Rocca at 9:30 a.m. MT, with live draft coverage beginning at 10 a.m. MT.

The Chiefs hold the first-overall selection, as determined by the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery on June 2, 2021. This will be the third time the Chiefs have picked first overall; they picked D Jared Cowen in 2006 and D Ty Smith in 2015. Both went on to become team captains, first-round NHL picks and World Junior Championship players.

The Chiefs also hold two picks in the second round (28th and 41st overall), one in the third (50th), one in the fourth (72nd) and two in the fifth (96th, 110th). The draft will continue indefinitely until all teams pass on their next pick, usually lasting approximately 12 rounds.

Both drafts were delayed from their normal early May schedule due to COVID-19. Players selected in this year's draft will be eligible to play limited games as Affiliated Players before joining their WHL clubs full-time starting with the 2022-23 season.

Players eligible for the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft are 2006-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, 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 2021 WHL Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL Clubs at any time thereafter.

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