Pats Make Pair of Selections in 2024 U.S. Priority Draft
Published on May 8, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release
Regina, Sask. - The Regina Pats made a pair of selections in the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft on Wednesday, selecting Braden Hordichuk with the first overall selection and Camden Zaporzan with the 25th overall pick.
Hordichuk, 15, tallied 32 points (20G-12A) in 37 games in 2023-24 with the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA team, finishing second on his club in points and goals. The Scottsdale, Arizona product has routes to Saskatchewan as his father Darcy hails from Kamsack, Sask. and played in the Western Hockey League with the Calgary Htimen and Saskatoon Blades from 1996-2000 before embarking on a 13-year professional hockey career where he played in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. The 5-foot-10, 152 lb. right-shot forward played for Notre Dame Prep 2 in 2022-23, recording 37 points (27G-10A) in 15 games.
"We're very excited to select Braden with the first overall pick of the U.S. Priority Selection," Regina Pats VP, Hockey Operations and GM Alan Millar said. "We really like Braden as both a player and a young man. He plays the game the right way and understands the competitiveness, how hard you need to play to be successful and play at this level. He projects to be a power forward in our league with skill, and we're excited about his future with the Pats."
Zaporzan, 15, played for Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA team in 2023-24, compiling 50 points (18G-32A) in 57 games. The Anchorage, Alaska product is a 5-foot-5, 138 lb. right-shot forward who tallied 28 points (18G-10A) in 14 games in 2022-23 with the Alaska Oilers 14U AA club.
"This is a guy who can really skate," said Millar. "I think he brings a lot of good things to our club; skating, skill and hockey sense. He has the potential to be a dynamic player. For both young men, this is the start of a process and we look forward to going through that with them."
Up next is the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft which will take place on Thursday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m., Sask. time. The Pats first pick will be in the second round and 25th overall.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2024
- Warriors Add Two American Prospects in Wednesday's U.S. Priority Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Add Pair of Americans in 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Select D Brady Elbert Seventh Overall in WHL U.S. Priority Draft, F Spencer Anderson in Second Round - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Add Pair from Minnesota at U.S. Priority Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Warriors Forward Firkus Wins Bob Clarke Trophy as 2023-24 WHL Top Scorer Presented by Kubota Canada - WHL
- Cougars Select Cole Hajt and Dax Diep in 2024 US Priority Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Murray Pleased with Skill Level, Character of U.S. Picks - Brandon Wheat Kings
- WHL Completes 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft - WHL
- Giants Select Chartier, Storr in U.S. Priorty Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Rockets Make Two Picks In U.S. Priority Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Rebels Tab Two in 2024 U.S. Priority Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Silvertips Add Goaltender Enck, Center Fox in U.S. Priority Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Wild Select Pair of Minnesota Preps Wednesday in First U.S. Priority Draft - Wenatchee Wild
- Hurricanes Select Didomenicantonio, Murphy in US Priority Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Oil Kings Select Two Players in 2024 U.S. Priority Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Americans Select Schaefer Twins in U.S. Priority Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Tigers Select Pair of Forwards in US Priority Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pats Make Pair of Selections in 2024 U.S. Priority Draft - Regina Pats
- Kamloops Blazers Select Two Players in WHL U.S. Priority Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- U.S Draft: Second Pick Nets Wheat Kings Shattuck's Leading Scorer - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Royals Select Brayden Willis and Cooper Avelar in 2024 U.S. Priority Draft - Victoria Royals
- U.S. Draft: Wheat Kings Select Shattuck St. Mary's Sniper with First Pick - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Warriors Prepared for Two Drafts this Week - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Road to the WHL Draft: 2023 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Broncos Set for 2024 U.S. Priority Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Kick-Off Draft Week with US Priority Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
