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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Hoping to Hear their Names Called this Weekend

June 21, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Vancouver, B.C. - You can expect Jack Hughes of USA Hockey and Finnish star Kaapo Kakko to be the first players selected when the 2019 National Hockey League Draft gets underway tonight in Vancouver.

Beyond that, it's anybody's guess. The New Jersey Devils hold the No. 1 pick after winning the NHL Draft Lottery on April 9. The New York Rangers have the No. 2 pick and Chicago Blackhawks the No. 3 selection.

Rounds two through 7 will be held on Saturday.

Eligible players are those born between January 1st, 1999 and September 15th, 2001, which means Brandon defenceman Braden Schneider, who was chosen this week to attend Hockey Canada's Summer Development Camp, will not be eligible until next year.

That means the two Wheat Kings with the best chance of hearing their names called this weekend will be forwards Luka Burzan and Ben McCartney.

A 5'11" 182 lb product from MacDonald, Manitoba, McCartney is currently ranked 117th among North American skaters.

In his second season in the Western Hockey League, the former second round bantam draft choice finished strongly this past season, scoring 21 goals and 41 points. He was also named the hockey club's winner of the Hardest Working Player Award.

"It was a cool accomplishment but it doesn't stop there," McCartney told Perry Bergson of the Brandon Sun this week. "It shows how if you keep your mind in the right place that anything can happen."

As for this weekend?

"Of course there's nerves going through my body and my mind right now but there's nothing I can do," he went on to say. "I just have to wait and see what happens. Whatever happens is OK with me."

Burzan meanwhile was passed over last June but opened more than a few eyes this past winter, scoring 40 goals and 78 points on a club that finished 31-29-4-4 and out of the WHL playoffs.

Like Schneider, Burzan was named to the Canadian Summer Development Camp roster this week.

No Wheat Kings were picked in last year's NHL?draft, just the seventh time that has happened since 1969. It also occurred in 1971, 1976, 1989, 1999, 2000 and 2004. However, the WHL club has never gone two consecutive years without having a player chosen.

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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.

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