
Winterhawks Family Set to Grow During Pair of WHL Drafts
December 7, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Portland Winterhawks News Release
Portland, Ore. - It's Draft(s) week for the Western Hockey League and the Portland Winterhawks are set to add approximately a dozen players to the club's prospect pool during the WHL U.S. Priority Draft and WHL Prospects Draft.
The Hawks own two selections in Wednesday's WHL U.S. Priority Draft, starting with the 11th overall selection. This draft was introduced in 2020 as a supplement to the WHL Prospects Draft, and gives teams an opportunity to scoop up the best talent from this side of the border.
Portland selected forward Alex Weiermair 16th overall and defenseman Jason Zaccari 29th overall during the first-ever U.S. Priority Draft in 2020.
Players eligible for this draft are 2006-born players who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Wednesday draft is set to begin at 9 a.m. PT and fans can view up-to-the-minute information and pick details on the Winterhawks social media channels.
Thursday features the more traditional WHL Prospects Draft, during which the Hawks will select approximately ten players to fill out their 50-man protected list.
The Winterhawks traded their first-round pick to Swift Current as part of a package to acquire goaltender Joel Hofer in 2019, but the Winterhawks still have five picks in the first five rounds, including the 29th overall selection. Of the 23 current Winterhawks on the active roster, 18 of them were selected in the WHL Draft. Four Winterhawks were selected in the NHL Draft and all four of them were chosen by Portland in the fourth round or later of the WHL Prospects Draft.
Players eligible for the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft are 2006-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Players not selected in the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday or listed by a WHL Club at any time thereafter. Fans can follow the draft live on the Winterhawks social media channels and by visiting WHL.ca/Draft.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2021
- ICE Set for 2021 WHL Drafts - Winnipeg Ice
- Winterhawks Family Set to Grow During Pair of WHL Drafts - Portland Winterhawks
- Sward Raises over $3,000 for Men's Health Through Movember - Spokane Chiefs
- Chiefs Prepare for Two Drafts, Including First Overall Pick in WHL Prospects Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- WHL Scholarships Awarded to 29 Former Chiefs for 2021-22 Academic Year - Spokane Chiefs
- Everett Silvertips Collect Franchise Record 11,096 Stuffed Animals on Teddy Bear Toss - Everett Silvertips
- 365 WHL Scholarships Awarded to Graduate Players for 2021-22 Academic Year - WHL
- Draft Week Preperation Underway - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Gameday Preview - December 7 at Brandon - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Western Hockey League to Host 2021 U.S. Priority and Prospects Drafts this Week - WHL
- CHL Team of the Week Named for November 29 - December 5 - WHL
- Teddy Bear Toss Is Back at the Brandt Centre Friday - Regina Pats
- Wheat Kings, Tigers Set to Meet Again - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Eric Jamieson, Caden Zaplitny Join Silvertips Active Roster - Everett Silvertips
- Rebels Prepared for Busy Week with Two Drafts Scheduled - Red Deer Rebels
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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