WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheaties Looking Forward to NHL Draft

Published on June 26, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Montreal, Quebec -- Friday night will be a big night in Montreal for two members of the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings.

Linemates Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie are expected to to be chosen in the opening round of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft, marking the first time in thirty years that the Wheat Kings have featured more than one opening round selection.

Back in 1979, the Wheat Kings were coming off a record breaking year and a disappointing loss to the Peterborough Petes in the Memorial Cup Championship Final. Four members of that Brandon club were chosen in round one that year - Laurie Boschman, Toronto (9th), Brian Propp, Philadelphia (14th), Brad McCrimmon, Boston (15th) and Ray Allison, Hartford (18th).

Since breaking into the WHL in the fall of 2007, Schenn and Glennie have excited both NHL scouts and western Manitoba hockey fans alike.

Heading into tonight's proceedings, to be televised Live on TSN, Schenn is ranked fourth overall and Glennie is seventh among all North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's final draft rankings.

"Definitely it's most kids' dream when they play hockey to get drafted into the NHL and I'm looking forward to Friday and I will be excited whatever team I will be a part of," Schenn told James Shewaga of the Brandon Sun. "I'm not really nervous, just excited to see what's going to happen."

"It's really exciting, but at the same time, I think you've got to put it in perspective," Glennie told the Sun. "You've got to hope that you are going to go as high as you can go, but at the same time I think you want to go to a good organization. I think the draft is going to be a really fun time for myself and I have been looking forward to it for awhile. It's been a lifelong dream, that's for sure."

After becoming the first 16-year old since Ron Chipperfield in 1970-71 to lead the Wheat Kings in scoring in 2007-08, Schenn led the club again this past winter, scoring 32 goals and 88 points in 70 games. Glennie meanwhile scored 70 points including 28 goals in 55 games.

While Schenn and Glennie are expected to be taken in round one Friday night, defenceman Brodie Melnychuk, who celebrated his high school graduation on Thursday, is expected to hear his name called during the second day of the draft on Saturday.

Following is a list of former Wheat King first round picks in the NHL Entry Draft:

Eric Fehr - 2003, Washington (18)

Stefan Cherneski - 1997, NY Rangers (19)

Wade Redden - 1995, NY Islanders (2)

Chris Dingman - 1994, Calgary (19)

Trevor Kidd - 1990, Calgary (11)

Kevin Cheveldayoff - 1988, NY Islanders (16)

Steve Patrick - 1980, Buffalo (20)

Laurie Boschman - 1979, Toronto (9)

Brian Propp - 1979, Philadelphia (14)

Brad McCrimmon -1979, Boston (15)

Ray Allison - 1979, Hartford (18)

Bill Derlago - 1978, Vancouver (4)

Rick Blight - 1975, Vancouver (10)

Ron Chipperfield - 1974, California Golden Seals (7)

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 26, 2009


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