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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Snag Thornton at 15th Overall

May 2, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Red Deer, Alta. - The Spokane Chiefs added to their stable of talented first-round selections at the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft on Thursday, selecting forward Ben Thornton out of Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep with the 15th overall pick.

"Ben does a lot of good things," said Chiefs' Assistant General Manager Chris Moulton. "He's a 200-foot player that contributes offensively. He's got good size and huge character."

Standing 6-foot-2 and 152 pounds, Thornton adds size and scoring ability up front. The Abbotsford, B.C. native averaged 1.5 points per game last season, totaling 13 goals and 32 assists in 30 games with a Yale squad that went on to win the CSSHL bantam championship.

"For us it's about being a complete player," added Moulton. "Ben is a guy we coveted and we're super happy."

The Chiefs are no strangers to Yale Hockey Academy players, having used their first-round selection in last year's draft on Yale product Graham Sward. Sward was named a BCMML First-Team All-Star with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds during the 2018-19 campaign.

Spokane Chiefs' 2019 WHL Bantam Draft Class (to be continued)

1st Round (15th Overall) - Ben Thornton

Position: Forward

Hometown: Abbotsford, BC

Measurables: 6'2$B!m(B, 152 lbs, shoots left

2018-19: Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep (CSSHL)

Stats: 13 goals, 32 assists, 45 points, 28 PIM in 30 GP

Scouting Report: (see above)

Spokane Chiefs' 2019 WHL Bantam Draft Available Selections

1st Round (15th Overall) - Ben Thornton, F

3rd (59) -

4th (85) [from Saskatoon] -

5th (103) -

6th (125) -

7th (147) -

8th (171) [from Lethbridge] -

8th (172)[from Edmonton] -

9th (191) -

11th (235)* -

Players eligible for the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft included 2003-born players who reside in the following provinces or states: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, 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 Bantam Draft are then eligible to be listed by WHL clubs, with many being added to WHL Club Protected Player Lists as spots become available.

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2019


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