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Blades Go To California While Raiders Pick The Offspring of an Alumnus in U-S Prospects Draft

By Les Lazaruk Dec 8, 2021 | 5:26 PM

The first of two drafts on back-to-back days for the W-H-L has been completed.

On Wednesday, it was the second U-S Prospects Draft for the 22 teams. With the fifth overall pick, the Saskatoon Blades chose right-hand shooting defenceman Ethan Weber, then picked his L-A Junior Kings 15s team-mate, forward Samuel Houston in the second round, 40th overall. As for the Raiders, fans who remember forward Shayne Toporowski from his 1991-to-95 days in Prince Albert could have his son in the P-A line-up soon. Defenceman Dmitri Toporowski was taken late in the first round from the Boston Hockey Academy 15s. The Raiders selected forward A-J Ulrich from the Colorado Thunderbirds 15s in the second round.

On Thursday, it’s the annual Prospects Draft…held later this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spokane will have the first overall selection and is expected to take Saskatoon Contacts’ centre Berkley Catton. Defenceman Tyson Buczkowski of the Saskatoon Outlaws plus Saskatoon Stallions forwards Roger McQueen and Trae Wilkie are likely Top 10 selections with Saskatoon Bandits’ forward Tyler Phipps also likely to hear his name called in the first round. The Bridge City Bunch don’t have a first round choice while P-A has the 12th and 13th overall selections. Following are news releases from the W-H-L, the Blades and Raiders…..

 

DECEMBER 8, 2021

Blades add pair of Jr. Kings, select Weber and Houston in US Priority Draft

SASKATOON, SK — The Saskatoon Blades infused some royalty into the organization on Wednesday.

Weber, a defenceman who will celebrate his 15th birthday next Thursday, stands 5-foot-11 at 165-pounds, and is working on a terrific campaign with the U15 Kings. In 33 games this season, the Manhattan Beach, CA product has 28 points (15G-13A) with 32 penalty minutes.

“Ethan is a tremendous player,” said Blades director of scouting Dan Tencer, noting they had a strong indication he’d be available at fifth overall. “He’s a right-shot defenceman with a late birthday, and he has a tremendous amount of skill. He’s a really impressive player with the way that he moves and thinks the game, he utilizes a lot of deception, makes a ton of plays transition-wize, and he can run a powerplay. We’ve very happy to have selected Ethan and welcome the Weber Family into the organization.”

Second-round selection Houston adds size and speed to the club, standing 6-foot-0 and having collected 17 points (10G-7A) in 34 games with the Jr. Kings.

“We were hoping Sam would be available for us (at 40),” continued Tencer, adding there was a lot of uncertainty on what other teams would do between their two selections. “Sam plays on the same team as Ethan does, so there’s a nice connection there. He’s a right-shot forward with a tremendous work ethic. He skates north-south extremely fast and likes to get involved in all areas of the ice. This is a guy who’s going to win battles on the walls and outwork everyone on the ice.”

The Blades connection with the LA Jr. Kings program doesn’t end at just these two new draft picks.

Tencer added there are several members of the Blades who are cut from the same royal cloth, and are leaving lasting impressions in the organization today.

“The LA Jr. Kings program is one that we’ve had a lot of success with in the past,” he said. “Current defencemen Spencer Shugrue and Pasha Bocharov came from that program, and then forward Brenden Fields came from that program. (Fields) was selected last year, came up for training camp and showed extremely well.”

The Saskatoon Blades would like to welcome the families of Ethan and Sam into the organization, and are excited to help continue their development as members of the Blue & Gold.

Next up, the Blades, along with the 21 other WHL clubs, will take part in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, which begins at 11:00am CT on Thursday, Dec. 9.

 

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

 

Raiders Pick Toporowski, Ulrich in 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft

 

Prince Albert, Sask. – The Prince Albert Raiders drafted 2006-born defenceman Dmitri Toporowski 21st overall and 2006-born forward AJ Ulrich 24th overall in the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft on Wednesday morning.

 

Toporowski, who hails from Boston, Mass., is a 5’9, 160-lb defenceman. This season with the Boston Hockey Academy 15’s, he has a goal and nine assists in 31 games played. Dmitri is the son of Raiders alumnus Shayne Toporowski. Shayne suited up for the Raiders from 1991-95.

 

“With a player like Dmitri, we know he is going to get good development. We know he’s on the ice. We know he’s getting the right message about how to play the right way, how to play in our league,” said Raiders General Manager Curtis Hunt. “I think it’s just a no brainer. We’re excited to have him on board. There’s obviously a tie to our community, which is a bonus in this particular case.”

 

AJ Ulrich is a forward from Colorado. He is currently playing for the Colorado Thunderbirds 15’s. He has a pair of goals and an assist in eight games. Last season with the Arvada 14U AA Gold, Ulrich posted 13 goals and 12 assists in 17 games. He added four goals and three assists in five playoff games.

 

“We think AJ is a real climber,” Hunt said. “He is a tremendous skater with great acceleration and possess tremendous puck skills. We are excited about getting him to Prince Albert.”

 

Wednesday marked the second U.S. Priority Draft in WHL history. The Raiders selected forwards Jamison Sluys and Declan Stewart in the 2020 edition of the two-round draft.

 

Draft week in the WHL continues tomorrow with the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, beginning at 11 a.m. CST. The Raiders hold the 13th and 14th overall selection in the draft.

 

The Raiders are off until Friday night when they head to Regina to take on the Pats at the Brandt Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. Catch the game at The Rock And Iron Club House, Original Joe’s, or watch on WHL Live on CHL TV.

 

The next Raiders’ home game is on Saturday night when the Calgary Hitmen visit the Art Hauser Centre.

 

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE COMPLETES 2021 U.S. PRIORITY DRAFT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League completed the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft today with WHL member Clubs selecting 44 players throughout the two-round draft.

With the first-overall pick, the Seattle Thunderbirds selected forward Macklin Celebrini (North Vancouver, B.C. / Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres Prep). Celebrini, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound forward, has tallied 42 points (20G-22A) in 23 games with Shattuck-St. Mary’s so far this season.

Of the 44 players selected, three competed as underagers in the inaugural WHL U.S. Challenge Cup in Kent, Wash., in February 2020 – Celebrini, Trevor Connelly, and Aidan Park.

In total, 11 different states and one Canadian province had players selected in the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, led by 15 players from California. Of the 44 players selected, WHL teams chose two goaltenders, 19 defencemen and 24 forwards.

2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft – State-by-State Breakdown
California – 15
Arizona – 6
Minnesota – 6
Alaska – 4
Texas – 3
Colorado – 2
Nevada – 2
Washington – 2
Massachusetts – 1
Montana – 1
Rhode Island – 1
British Columbia – 1

Complete results from the 2021 WHL U.S. Priority Draft are available at WHL.ca/draft.

2021 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft Results
Round One

#1 – Seattle Thunderbirds
Name: Macklin Celebrini               Position: Forward             Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s 18U Prep                                      Stats: 23 GP – 20G-22A–42 points

#2 – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Name: Jack Lackas                          Position: Forward             Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 7G-1A–8 points

#3 – Winnipeg ICE
Name: Nicholas Christianson       Position: Centre                Hometown: Upland, Calif.
Team: Windy City Storm 15s                                                     Stats: 42 GP – 17G-27A–44 points

#4 – Prince George Cougars
Name: Yoonho (Roy) Chung         Position: Defence             Hometown: Rolling Hills, Calif.
Team: Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15s                                               Stats: 34 GP – 6G-23A–34 points

#5 – Saskatoon Blades
Name: Ethan Weber                       Position: Defence             Hometown: Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Team: Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15s                                               Stats: 33 GP – 15G-13A–28 points

#6 – Swift Current Broncos
Name: John Whipple                      Position: Defence             Hometown: Deephaven, Minn.
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15s                                                 Stats: 25 GP – 11G-18A–29 points

#7 – Tri-City Americans
Name: Camerin Cardona               Position: Forward             Hometown: Anaheim, Calif.
Team: Anaheim Jr. Ice Dogs 15s                                               Stats: 36 GP – 26G-11A–37 points

#8 – Red Deer Rebels
Name: Quentin Bourne                 Position: Defence             Hometown: Torrance, Calif.
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 15s                                       Stats: 6 GP – 1G-3A–4 points

#9 – Victoria Royals
Name: Hudson Bjornson               Position: Defence             Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 0G-3A–3 points

#10 – Kamloops Blazers
Name: Mac Swanson                     Position: Forward             Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Team: Team Alaska 15s                                                              Stats: N/A

#11 – Portland Winterhawks
Name: Garin Ludwig                       Position: Defence             Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska
Team: Team Alaska 15s                                                              Stats: N/A

#12 – Regina Pats
Name: Carson McGinley                Position: Forward             Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 3G-4A–7 points

#13 – Brandon Wheat Kings
Name: Colin Frank                          Position: Right Wing        Hometown: Ladera Ranch, Calif.
Team: Bishop Kearney Selects 15s                                          Stats: 6 GP – 1G-2A–3 points

#14 – Everett Silvertips
Name: Aidan Yi                                Position: Forward             Hometown: Lake Forest, Calif.
Team: Culver Academy Eagles 16U                                         Stats: 15 GP – 6G-4A–10 points

#15 – Kelowna Rockets
Name: Hayden Hastings                Position: Forward             Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 4G-2A–6 points

#16 – Spokane Chiefs
Name: Trevor Connelly                  Position: Forward             Hometown: Tustin, Calif.
Team: Long Island Gulls 16U                                                     Stats: 3 GP – 0G-0A–0 points

#17 – Edmonton Oil Kings
Name: Tory Pitner                           Position: Defence             Hometown: El Cerrito, Calif.
Team: South Kent Selects Academy 15s                                Stats: 27 GP – 7G-21A–28 points

#18 – Vancouver Giants
Name: Mikhail Levaniuk                Position: Forward             Hometown: Redmond, Wash.
Team: Delta Hockey Academy U16 Prep                                Stats: 16 GP – 3G-1A–4 points

#19 – Calgary Hitmen
Name: Aidan Park                           Position: Forward             Hometown: Playa Vista, Calif.
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s 16U Prep                                      Stats: 29 GP – 34G-47A–81 points

#20 – Medicine Hat Tigers
Name: Ben Vatis                             Position: Goaltender       Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 6 GP – 3.50 GAA – .884 SV%

#21 – Prince Albert Raiders
Name: Dmitri Toporowski            Position: Forward             Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Team: Boston Hockey Academy 15s                                       Stats: 31 GP – 1G-9A–10 points

#22 – Moose Jaw Warriors
Name: Austin Doyle                       Position: Defence             Hometown: Odessa, Texas
Team: Dallas Stars Elite 15s                                                       Stats: 37 GP – 6G-3A–9 points

Round Two

#23 – Moose Jaw Warriors
Name: Tyler Chiovetti                    Position: Centre                Hometown: El Segundo, Calif.
Team: Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15U                                              Stats: 32 GP – 13G-14A–27 points

#24 – Prince Albert Raiders
Name: AJ Ulrich                               Position: Forward             Hometown: Arvada, Colo.
Team: Colorado Thunderbirds 15s                                          Stats: 8 GP – 2G-1A–3 points

#25 – Medicine Hat Tigers
Name: Kolby Gapter                       Position: Defence             Hometown: Arvada, Colo.
Team: Rocky Mountain RoughRiders 15s                              Stats: 4 GP – 2G-2A–4 points

#26 – Calgary Hitmen
Name: Will Skahan                         Position: Defence             Hometown: Maple Grove, Minn.
Team: St. Thomas Academy High School Cadets                 Stats: 3 GP – 0G-2A–2 points

#27 – Vancouver Giants
Name: Drake Murray                     Position: Defence             Hometown: Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s 16U                                                Stats: 31 GP – 10G-30A–40 points

#28 – Edmonton Oil Kings
Name: Tyler Atchison                     Position: Forward             Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Team: Windy City Storm 15s                                                     Stats: 29 GP – 16G-8A–24 points

#29 – Spokane Chiefs
Name: Brendan McMorrow         Position: Forward             Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Team: Benilde/St. Margaret’s High School Red Knights     Stats: 3G – 0G-4A–4 points

#30 – Kelowna Rockets
Name: Jake Solano                         Position: Centre                Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 3G-1A–4 points

#31 – Everett Silvertips
Name: Cody Polumbus                   Position: Forward             Hometown: Whitefish, Mont.
Team: Sioux Falls Power 15s                                                     Stats: 30 GP – 18G-11A–29 points

#32 – Brandon Wheat Kings
Name: Ethan Gonyeau                   Position: Defence             Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Team: Dallas Stars Elite 16U                                                     Stats: 39 GP – 2G-15A–17 points

#33 – Regina Pats
Name: Justin Bayers                       Position: Goaltender       Hometown: Westlake Village, Calif.
Team: Mount St. Charles Academy 15s                                  Stats: 4 GP – 2.45 GAA – .922 SV%

#34 – Portland Winterhawks
Name: Adam Kleber                       Position: Defence             Hometown: Chaska, Minn.
Team: Minnesota Blades 15s                                                    Stats: 4 GP – 2G-1A–3 points

#35 – Kamloops Blazers
Name: Sam Webster                      Position: Defence             Hometown: Chandler, Ariz.
Team: Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 15s                                                 Stats: 8 GP – 2G-1A–3points

#36 – Victoria Royals
Name: Tyler McGowan                  Position: Defence             Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
Team: Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16U                                                  Stats: 36 GP – 4G-7A–11 points

#37 – Red Deer Rebels
Name: Jonah Jasser                        Position: Forward             Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Team: Dallas Stars Elite 16U                                                     Stats: 37 GP – 11G-9A–20 points

#38 – Tri-City Americans
Name: Connor Ellingsen                Position: Forward             Hometown: Pasco, Wash.
Team: Tri-Cities Jr. Americans 16U                                          Stats: N/A

#39 – Swift Current Broncos
Name: Henry Lechner                    Position: Left Wing          Hometown: Bloomington, Minn.
Team: Academy of Holy Angels High School Stars               Stats: 4 GP – 3G-5A–8 points

#40 – Saskatoon Blades
Name: Samuel Houston                Position: Forward             Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Team: Los Angeles Jr. Kings 15s                                               Stats: 34 GP – 10G-7A–17 points

#41 – Prince George Cougars
Name: Nick McLennan                   Position: Forward             Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Team: Team Alaska 15s                                                              Stats: N/A

#42 – Winnipeg ICE
Name: Brodie Ziemer                     Position: Forward             Hometown: Carver, Minn.
Team: Shattuck-St. Mary’s 15s                                                 Stats: 25 GP – 25G-25A–50 points

#43 – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Name: Tristen Azelton                   Position: Defence             Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
Team: Arizona Bobcats 16U                                                      Stats: 28 GP – 7G-12A–19 points

#44 – Seattle Thunderbirds
Name: Colton Whitfield                 Position: Defence             Hometown: Warwick, R.I.
Team: Cape Cod Whalers 15U                                                  Stats: 30 GP – 9G-17A–26 points