Spokane wasted little time doing the expected…selecting Saskatoon product and Contacts’ centre Berkley Catton first overall in the W-H-L’s Prospects Draft on Thursday.
The Draft was being done virtually by the 22 teams, the first such exercise since April, 2020, and delayed from this spring because of the limited chances to compete for the 2006-born class of players.
Catton was one of five players picked in the first round with a Saskatoon connection, either from the city or playing for a team based in Saskatoon. The 5’11”, 155-pound Catton has already signed a Standard Player Contract with the Chiefs.
Saskatoon Blazers centre Roger McQueen was taken fourth overall by Brandon while Blazers’ defenceman Tyson Buczkowski, the son of former Blades’ star Paul Buczkowski, was taken 15th by Prince George. In additon, two more Blazers, who hail from outside Saskatoon, were chosen in the first round. Prince Albert took centre Cole Peardon of Outlook 13th overall while Porcupine Plain’s Tarin Smith, a defenceman, was claimed by Everett with the 20th overall pick.
The Saskatoon Blades were one of five teams who don’t have a first round pick. In the second round, 34th overall, the Blue and Gold took right winger Zachary Moore, a Saskatoon product playing this season with the Contacts. Following is a rundown of the first round from the W-H-L and a link to all selections made…..
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League completed the first round of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft this morning at WHL.ca/draft.
With the first-overall pick in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, the Spokane Chiefs used the selection to take forward Berkly Catton (Saskatoon, Sask. / Saskatoon Contacts U18). Shortly after the selection of Catton, the Chiefs announced the No. 1 pick had signed a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
Of the 22 players selected, there were 14 forwards and eight defencemen chosen. Of those, nine came from British Columbia, five from Saskatchewan, followed by four each from Alberta and Manitoba.
A total of 12 players from Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) teams were selected in the first round.
Players eligible for the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft were 2006-born players residing in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
CLICK HERE for a complete list of all players selected in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.
2021 WHL Prospects Draft Results – First Round
#1 – Spokane Chiefs
Name: Berkly Catton Position: Forward Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
Team: Saskatoon Contacts U18 Stats: 15 GP – 11G-12A–23 points
#2 – Tri-City Americans
Name: Jordan Gavin Position: Forward Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Team: Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep Stats: 14 GP – 24G-34A–58 points
#3 – Brandon Wheat Kings
Name: Charlie Elick Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Team: Edge School U18 Prep Stats: 11 GP – 3G-9A–12 points
#4 – Brandon Wheat Kings
Name: Roger McQueen Position: Forward Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
Team: Saskatoon Blazers U18 Stats: 17 GP – 3G-17A–20 points
#5 – Red Deer Rebels
Name: Ollie Josephson Position: Forward Hometown: Victoria, B.C.
Team: South Island Royals U18 Stats: 10 GP – 6G-9A–15 points
#6 – Swift Current Broncos
Name: Clarke Caswell Position: Forward Hometown: Brandon, Man.
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings U18 Stats: 20 GP – 23G-28A–51 points
#7 – Swift Current Broncos
Name: Josh Fluker Position: Defence Hometown: Boissevain, Man.
Team: Southwest Cougars U18 Stats: 19 GP – 5G-11A–16 points
#8 – Medicine Hat Tigers
Name: Tomas Mrsic Position: Forward Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
Team: Delta Hockey Academy U17 Stats: 16 GP – 27G-31A–58 points
#9 – Seattle Thunderbirds
Name: Tij Iginla Position: Forward Hometown: Lake Country, B.C.
Team: Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 Prep Stats: 10 GP – 6G-5A–11 points
#10 – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Name: Miguel Marques Position: Forward Hometown: Prince George, B.C.
Team: Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep Stats: 16 GP – 27G-37A–64 points
#11 – Vancouver Giants
Name: Colton Roberts Position: Defence Hometown: Maple Ridge, B.C.
Team: Delta Hockey Academy U17 Prep Stats: 17 GP – 5G-21A–26 points
#12 – Calgary Hitmen
Name: Carson Wetsch Position: Forward Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.
Team: Burnaby Winter Club Academy U18 Prep Stats: 11 GP – 10G-7A–17 points
#13 – Prince Albert Raiders
Name: Cole Peardon Position: Forward Hometown: Outlook, Sask.
Team: Saskatoon Blazers U18 Stats: 18 GP – 4G-12A–16 points
#14 – Prince Albert Raiders
Name: Ryder Ritchie Position: Forward Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
Team: Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 Prep Stats: 3 GP – 1G-2A–3 points
#15 – Prince George Cougars
Name: Tyson Buczkowski Position: Defence Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
Team: Saskatoon Blazers U18 Stats: 20 GP – 4G-12A–16 points
#16 – Moose Jaw Warriors
Name: Marek Howell Position: Defence Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
Team: Calgary Royals U18 Stats: 18 GP – 4G-2A–6 points
#17 – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Name: Tristen Doyle Position: Defence Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.
Team: Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Stats: 18 GP – 6G-17A–23 points
#18 – Winnipeg ICE
Name: Jonas Woo Position: Defence Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
Team: Winnipeg Bruins U18 Stats: 21 GP – 3G-15A–18 points
#19 – Edmonton Oil Kings
Name: Gavin Hodnett Position: Forward Hometown: Winnipeg, Man.
Team: Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg U18 Stats: 20 GP – 10G-20A–30 points
#20 – Everett Silvertips
Name: Tarin Smith Position: Defence Hometown: Porcupine Plain, Sask.
Team: Saskatoon Blazers U18 Stats: 20 GP – 1G-14A–15 points
#21 – Regina Pats
Name: Jaxsin Vaughan Position: Forward Hometown: Merritt, B.C.
Team: Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U18 Stats: 12 GP – 9G-3A–12 points
#22 – Brandon Wheat Kings
Name: Caleb Hadland Position: Forward Hometown: Sylvan Lake, Alta.
Team: Yale Hockey Academy U18 Prep Stats: 14 GP – 9G-5A–14 points