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WHL Portland Winterhawks

Knak, Kozak and McCleary Highlight Winterhawks Players and Prospects Selected on Day Two of the NHL Draft

July 24, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release


Portland, Ore. - Six players with ties to the Portland Winterhawks were selected on day two of the 2021 NHL Draft Saturday.

Heading the selections from the Winterhawks 2020-21 roster was forward Simon Knak, who was selected #179 overall by the Nashville Predators. The 19-year-old heads to the Music City after posting 29 points in 24 games for Portland this past season. The Swiss sensation came back to the Western Hockey League with something to prove after feeling like he should have been selected in the 2020 NHL Draft and accomplished his goal, being named co-Team MVP along the way.

Knak now joins a Predators organization that also includes former Winterhawks Ryan Johansen, Cody Glass, and Luca Sbisa.

Following Knak, the Buffalo Sabres selected forward Tyson Kozak with the first pick of the seventh round. The Souris, Manitoba-born two-way forward impressed scouts with his ability to play consistently in all areas of the ice. The 5-foot-11, 173-pound center totaled 11 points in 18 games this season with Portland. Kozak was also named the Winterhawks Rookie of the Year after the 2019-20 season where he produced 29 points in 63 games.

Seconds after Kozak went to Buffalo, Ryan McCleary was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the very next pick (#194 overall). The Winterhawks 2018 Bantam Draft pick led all Portland rookies with seven points in 18 games during his first WHL season in 2020-21.

The three 'Hawks officially became the 143rd, 144th and 145th players selected in the draft through 45 seasons of franchise history in Portland.

On top of Knak, Kozak and McCleary, three Winterhawks prospects were also chosen on day two of the draft.

Defenseman Shai Buium came off the board early in day, going to the Detroit Red Wings at pick number 36. The 'Hawks protected list player was selected after a stunning rookie season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL, where he recorded 26 points in 50 games. Buium participated in two Neely Cups with the Winterhawks and is currently committed to the University of Denver for the 2022-23 season.

Matthew Knies, another member of the 'Hawks protected list, was chosen at the #57 slot of the second round by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward from Phoenix posted a dangerous 87 points in 88 games over the last two seasons with Tri-City of the USHL and at this time is committed to play at the University of Minnesota in the fall.

To round things out, Andre Gasseau was taken by the Boston Bruins in the seventh round at slot #213. The Portland list player is currently slated to be Boston College in the fall.

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