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Prince George Cougars

Cougars 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Recap

May 10, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars wrapped up their 2024 WHL Prospect's Draft yesterday (May 9) where they selected ten players.

First-round selection Dade Wotherspoon headlines the PG draft class, being the Cougars' first selection at #21 overall.

Wotherspoon, from Martensville, SK, had a tremendous season with the Martensville U15 team, collecting 103 points (53-50-103) in just 27 games. In 11 playoff games, the 5'11 forward was no short of sensational, owning 23 goals and 10 assists. "It's an unbelievable pick for us", said Director of Scouting Bob Simmonds. "He's an offensive generator, he's skilled, he's strong on the puck, and he's a good two-way forward. When the puck is on his stick, he owns it. He has a natural ability that you can't coach."

With the 41st selection, the Cats selected defenceman Cooper Bratton from Moosomin, SK. Bratton spent the 2023-2024 season with the Sask East Oilers U15 program. Bratton put together a stellar season offensively, owning 52 points (20-32-52) in 27 games. The 6'1 blue-liner owned an impressive stat-line in four playoff games, adding six points (2-4-6). "We are very excited with Cooper joining our Organization, added Simmonds. "If I were to compare him to a player on our team right now, he has a Bauer Dumanski playing style."

With the 88th pick in the fourth round, Prince George picked winger Ollie Reid from Coldstream, BC. Reid was a member of the Yale Hockey Academy U15 Prep program where he collected 52 points (22-30-52) in 27 games. Reid was one of two prospect's selected by the Cougars from British Columbia.

The Cougars went back to Saskatchewan with their fifth round selection, picking Tatum Fouqette out of Prince Albert. The 6 foot defenceman played his U15 season with the Prince Albert Pirates in the Saskatchewan U15 AA league, where he scored 28 times and accumulated 14 assists over 27 games.

The Cats made a selection in the seventh round, selecting forward Dixon Hartwich out of St. Andrews, MB. The 5'9 centreman was a member of the Winnipeg Thrashers U15AAA team. Hartwich owned 43 points (24-19-43) in 27 games played. In the playoffs with the Thrashers, Hartwich accumulated nine points in (3-6-9) in five games.

In the eighth round, Prince George went to the goal crease for their lone goaltender selection of the draft, picking Davin Chyld out of Chilliwack, BC. Chyld, 6'2, played the 2023-2024 season with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds U15 club in the BC Elite Hockey League. Chyld sported a impressive 13-2 record, along with a 1.13 goals against average.

In the ninth round. the Cougars owned two picks, and they selected forward Keenan Fox and defenceman Ryder Schnitzler.

Fox, from Edmonton, AB, played the 2023-2024 season with the OHA Edmonton U15 Prep team, where he had a terrific campaign owning 39 points (15-23-39) in 26 games played.

Schnitzler, from Sherwood Park, AB, spent the 23-24 season with the Sherwood Park U15AAA Flyers. The 5'9 defenceman collected 29 points (5-24-29) in 30 games played.

Prince George concluded their 2024 WHL Prospect's Draft with a pair of picks in the tenth round, selecting forward Gus Rustebakke and defenceman Reeve Waugh.

Rustebakke, a 5'9 forward from High River, AB, spent the 2023-2024 campaign with the Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA club where he collected 26 points (9-17-26) in 27 games.

Waugh, a product of Calgary, AB, played with Edge U15 prep and had an impressive campaign with 21 points (6-15-21).

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