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Blades Deal Tastad to Penticton in Lieu of Expansion Draft Pick

By Les Lazaruk May 7, 2025 | 3:53 PM

The Penticton Vees have a start on a W-H-L roster, one that includes veteran Saskatoon Blades’ defenceman Morgan Tastad (pictured).

Penticton has 22 players following Wednesday’s Expansion Draft, making 13 selections of players not protected by teams – including 18-year-old forward Liam Bursaw from the Prince Albert Raiders – and acquiring nine more players through seven trades. One of those was with the Bridge City Bunch as Loreburn product Tastad, fellow 19-year-old blue-liner Ethan Weber from California and the 31st overall choice in this year’s Prospects Draft went to the Vees for the 24th overall selection – the first one on Thursday. The first round of the Prospects Draft is being held Wednesday evening with the rest to be done Thursday, after the two-round U-S Priority Draft is held in the morning.

In addition, the C-H-L announced that the Import Draft will be held July 2nd with Moose Jaw having the first selection. The C-H-L, also, officially revealed that all teams will be allowed to have three imports on their roster next season and that this year’s Import Draft will run three rounds. The Blue and Gold will have the 40th, 101st and 162nd choices while P-A will have the 46th, 107th and 168th picks. Following are news releases from the Blades, the W-H-L and the C-H-L…..

Blades acquire first pick of the second round in deal with Vees

Edmonton, AB – The Saskatoon Blades and Penticton Vees have completed the first ever trade between the two franchises.

In lieu of offering a protected player list for the Vees Expansion Draft, Saskatoon’s acquired the Vees’ 2025 second round (24th overall) pick in exchange for 2006-born defencemen Morgan Tastad and Ethan Weber and a 2025 second round pick (31st overall). The agreement means the Vees will omit from choosing a Blade in Wednesday’s expansion draft.

“This was an opportunity to find a good home for an older player to perhaps get a bigger role than we had available here, and also to improve our draft capital and positioning,” said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, “We felt it was a win-win situation.”

Drafted by the Blades in the ninth round (194th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Tastad played two full season between 2023-2025. The Loreburn, SK native scored three goals and ten assists in 103 career games with the Blades, adding two more assists in 19 playoff games. Tastad helped the Blades reach Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2024. Weber was a listed defenceman on the Blades roster.

The Blades now hold the following picks ahead of Round 1 of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft:

ROUND PICK ORIGINAL TEAM
1 22 Medicine Hat Tigers
2 24 Penticton Vees
2 35 Seattle Thunderbirds
4 72 Regina Pats
6 118 Regina Pats
6 129 Saskatoon Blades
8 170 Tri-City Americans
9 198 Saskatoon Blades
10 221 Saskatoon Blades

Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft gets underway at 5:00pm CT on Wednesday, May 7.

The U.S. Priority Draft begins Thursday, May 8 at 8:00am CT, followed by the remaining rounds of the WHL Prospects Draft.

PENTICTON VEES ACQUIRE 22 PLAYERS IN 2025 WHL EXPANSION DRAFT PROCEEDINGS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

Calgary, Alta. –  The Penticton Vees, set to compete in their inaugural Western Hockey League season in 2025-26, acquired 22 players during the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft.

The Vees selected one player from each of 13 WHL Clubs, while agreed upon trades involving seven WHL Clubs were accepted in place of expansion draft selections. The Medicine Hat Tigers and Spokane Chiefs have been granted an accommodation based on advancing to the 2025 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Selections, Listed by Former Club

Brandon Wheat Kings – Davies, Isaac (Forward, 2008)
Calgary Hitmen – see Approved Trade #1
Edmonton Oil Kings – Smith, Kaenan (Goaltender, 2008)
Everett Silvertips – see Approved Trade #2
Kamloops Blazers – Anderlini, Kalan (Defence, 2006)
Kelowna Rockets – see Approved Trade #3
Lethbridge Hurricanes – Norrie, Cameron (Forward, 2007)
Medicine Hat Tigers – granted WHL Championship extension*
Moose Jaw Warriors – Hughes, Ethan (Forward, 2006)
Portland Winterhawks – Schlenker, Marek (Goaltender, 2006)
Prince Albert Raiders – Bursaw, Liam (Forward, 2007)
Prince George Cougars – Danis, Matteo (Forward, 2005)
Red Deer Rebels – Pederson, Doogan (Defence, 2006)
Regina Pats – Almen, Corban (Forward, 2007)
Saskatoon Blades – see Approved Trade #4
Seattle Thunderbirds – see Approved Trade #5
Spokane Chiefs – granted WHL Championship extension*
Swift Current Broncos – see Approved Trade #6
Tri-City Americans – Burick, Sean (Defence, 2008)
Vancouver Giants – see Approved Trade #7
Victoria Royals – Danyleyko, Wyatt (Forward, 2007)
Wenatchee Wild – Reyelts, Andrew (Goaltender, 2006)

* = the winner of the 2025 WHL Championship has received an expansion draft extension through the conclusion of the 2025 Memorial Cup; the losing team in the 2025 WHL Championship will be required to submit its protected list on the second day after elimination 

Approved Trades

  1. Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Chase Valliant (Surrey, B.C.) and 2008-born defenceman Easton LaPlante (Calgary, Alta.) from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
  2. Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born goaltender Jesse Sanche (Kamloops, B.C.) from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.
  3. Penticton Vees acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Kelowna Rockets.
  4. Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born defenceman Morgan Tastad (Loreburn, Sask.), 2006-born defenceman Ethan Weber (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), and a 2025 second-round pick (31st overall) from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (24th overall).
  5. Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Diego Johnson (Fort St. James, B.C.) from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
  6. Penticton Vees acquire 2005-born forward Brady Birnie (Regina, Sask.), 2005-born defenceman Nolan Stevenson (Shaunavon, Sask.), and 2009-born forward Brooks DeMars (Hugo, Minn.) from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (conditional).
  7. Penticton Vees acquire acquire a 2026 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Vancouver Giants
2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Acquisitions, Listed by Position 

GOALTENDERS (4)
Reyelts, Andrew (2006, Wenatchee Wild)
Sanche, Jesse (2006, Everett Silvertips)
Schlenker, Marek (2006, Portland Winterhawks)
Smith, Kaenan (2008, Edmonton Oil Kings)

DEFENCE (7)
Anderlini, Kalan (2006, Kamloops Blazers)
Burick, Sean (2008, Tri-City Americans)
LaPlante, Easton (2008, Calgary Hitmen)
Pederson, Doogan (2006, Red Deer Rebels)
Stevenson, Nolan (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Tastad, Morgan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)
Weber, Ethan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)

FORWARD (11)
Almen, Corban (2007, Regina Pats)
Birnie, Brady (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Bursaw, Liam (2007, Prince Albert Raiders)
Danyleyko, Wyatt (2007, Victoria Royals)
Davies, Isaac (2008, Brandon Wheat Kings)
DeMars, Brooks (2009, Swift Current Broncos)
Danis, Matteo (2005, Prince George Cougars)
Hughes, Ethan (2006, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Johnson, Diego (2006, Seattle Thunderbirds)
Norrie, Cameron (2007, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Valliant, Chase (2006, Calgary Hitmen)

The Vees were given 24 hours to review the submitted protected lists and make their selections from the available players or negotiate trades with other WHL Clubs.

Penticton will be permitted to dress four (4) 20-year-old players in all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games during the 2025-26 WHL season only. Should Penticton win the WHL Championship, they will only be permitted to dress three (3) 20-year-old players in the 2026 Memorial Cup.

Moose Jaw Warriors to select first overall at the 2025 CHL Import Draft
The 2025 CHL Import Draft will expand to three rounds for the first time, reflecting a new policy that allows CHL clubs to carry up to three import players on their rosters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

TORONTO, ON — The Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) will have the first overall selection in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Following the Warriors, the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will choose second, while the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) will select third. The CHL’s newest franchise, the Penticton Vees of the WHL, will make their first-ever selection at No. 10 during the 2025 CHL Import Draft (see the complete draft order below).

As part of a new policy adopted for the 2025-26 season, CHL clubs will now be permitted to carry up to three import players on their rosters. In accordance with this rule change, the CHL Import Draft will expand to three rounds. Under the revised rules, a club with no current import players may select up to three players, a club with one import may select two, while a club with two imports may select one. Clubs with three import players will be ineligible to participate. Additionally, CHL clubs will be permitted to trade selections ahead of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, and these trades must be finalized two days before the draft.

For the first time in franchise history, the Moose Jaw Warriors hold the first overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, and they will be selecting within the top five for just the second time in the event’s history. With their first-round pick in last year’s CHL Import Draft, the reigning WHL champions selected Dominik Pavlik 53rd overall. The 18-year-old from Trutnov, Czechia, registered a goal and an assist over the club’s final 13 games of the 2024-25 season. The Warriors have a proven track record of developing high-impact import talent, including NHL alumni Pavel Kubina and Tomas Fleischmann, as well as Martin Rysavy, who played a key role in helping Moose Jaw capture its first-ever WHL championship in 2024.

The Peterborough Petes earned the second overall pick of the 2025 CHL Import Draft after winning the 2025 OHL Priority Selection Lottery. Set to pick second for the first time in franchise history, the Petes made only one selection at last year’s event – taking Czech forward and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Adam Novotny at No. 9. Peterborough boasts a proven history of selecting strong talent through the CHL Import Draft, including Fredrik Näslund (Sweden), Lino Martschini (Switzerland), Lukas Krajicek (Czechia), and Brian Zanetti (Switzerland), all of whom played key roles during championship seasons or brought immediate offensive contributions to the team.

The Victoriaville Tigres hold the third overall pick of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, marking their highest draft position in franchise history at this event. During last year’s draft, the Tigres chose a pair of Finnish skaters in Mikko Leppä (1st Round – 40th Overall) and Roope Rajala (2nd Round – 100th Overall), who both played a combined 39 games for Victoriaville in 2024-25. Victoriaville has a strong track record of identifying and developing international talent through the CHL Import Draft. Notable alumni include NHLer Andrej Nestrašil, as well as standout forwards Mikhail Abramov, Tomas Kubalik, and Nikita Prishchepov, who each had a significant impact on the club during their time in Victoriaville.

Over the years, the CHL Import Draft has seen countless players selected by CHL clubs at this event go on to have successful careers in the CHL’s Member Leagues (WHL, OHL, and QMJHL) before later hearing their names called at the NHL Draft. Last year, at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 CHL players who came through the CHL Import Draft were selected by NHL clubs: Julius Miettinen (Everett Silvertips, WHL / Seattle Kraken), Ondrej Becher (Prince George Cougars, WHL / Detroit Red Wings), Eriks Mateiko (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL / Washington Capitals), Adam Jecho (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL / St. Louis Blues), Jakub Milota (Cape Breton Eagles, QMJHL / Nashville Predators), Jan Golicic (Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL / Tampa Bay Lightning), Maximilian Curran (Tri-City Americans, WHL / Colorado Avalanche), Matyas Melovsky (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL / New Jersey Devils), Jakub Fibigr (Brampton Steelheads, OHL / Seattle Kraken), and Nikita Prishchepov (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL / Colorado Avalanche).

Among some of the other notable import players to have come through the CHL before having successful NHL careers include Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Zdeno Chara (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Marian Hossa (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Michael Backlund (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts / OHL), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights / OHL), Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL), Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL), Alexander Radulov (Québec Remparts / QMJHL), David Krejci (Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL), Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL), and Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL).

Since the first CHL Import Draft was held in 1992, over 2,170 players from outside of Canada and the United States have been selected at this annual event.

Order of Selections for the 2025 CHL Import Draft

First Round Second Round Third Round
# Team # Team # Team
1 Moose Jaw Warriors 62 Penticton Vees 123 Penticton Vees
2 Peterborough Petes 63 Peterborough Petes 124 Peterborough Petes
3 Victoriaville Tigres 64 Victoriaville Tigres 125 Victoriaville Tigres
4 Regina Pats 65 Moose Jaw Warriors 126 Moose Jaw Warriors
5 Guelph Storm 66 Guelph Storm 127 Guelph Storm
6 Saint John Sea Dogs 67 Saint John Sea Dogs 128 Saint John Sea Dogs
7 Kelowna Rockets 68 Regina Pats 129 Regina Pats
8 Ottawa 67’s 69 Sarnia Sting 130 Sarnia Sting
9 Halifax Mooseheads 70 Halifax Mooseheads 131 Halifax Mooseheads
10 Penticton Vees 71 Kelowna Rockets 132 Kelowna Rockets
11 Sarnia Sting 72 Ottawa 67’s 133 Ottawa 67’s
12 Gatineau Olympiques 73 Gatineau Olympiques 134 Gatineau Olympiques
13 Kamloops Blazers 74 Kamloops Blazers 135 Kamloops Blazers
14 Owen Sound Attack 75 Owen Sound Attack 136 Owen Sound Attack
15 Québec Remparts 76 Québec Remparts 137 Québec Remparts
16 Wenatchee Wild 77 Wenatchee Wild 138 Wenatchee Wild
17 North Bay Battalion 78 North Bay Battalion 139 North Bay Battalion
18 Val-d’Or Foreurs 79 Val-d’Or Foreurs 140 Val-d’Or Foreurs
19 Red Deer Rebels 80 Red Deer Rebels 141 Red Deer Rebels
20 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 81 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 142 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
21 Charlottetown Islanders 82 Charlottetown Islanders 143 Charlottetown Islanders
22 Seattle Thunderbirds 83 Seattle Thunderbirds 144 Seattle Thunderbirds
23 Flint Firebirds 84 Flint Firebirds 145 Flint Firebirds
24 Newfoundland Regiment 85 Newfoundland Regiment 146 Newfoundland Regiment
25 Tri-City Americans 86 Tri-City Americans 147 Tri-City Americans
26 Niagara Icedogs 87 Niagara Icedogs 148 Niagara Icedogs
2 7 Sherbrooke Phoenix 88 Sherbrooke Phoenix 149 Sherbrooke Phoenix
28 Swift Current Broncos 89 Swift Current Broncos 150 Swift Current Broncos
29 Sudbury Wolves 90 Sudbury Wolves 151 Sudbury Wolves
30 Cape Breton Eagles 91 Cape Breton Eagles 152 Cape Breton Eagles
31 Vancouver Giants 92 Vancouver Giants 153 Vancouver Giants
32 Erie Otters 93 Erie Otters 154 Erie Otters
33 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 94 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 155 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
34 Portland Winterhawks 95 Portland Winterhawks 156   Portland Winterhawks
35 Saginaw Spirit 96 Saginaw Spirit 157 Saginaw Spirit
36 Baie-Comeau Drakkar 97 Baie-Comeau Drakkar 158 Baie-Comeau Drakkar
37 Edmonton Oil Kings 98 Edmonton Oil Kings 159 Edmonton Oil Kings
38 Brampton Steelheads 99 Brampton Steelheads 160 Brampton Steelheads
39 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 100 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 161 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
40 Saskatoon Blades 101 Saskatoon Blades 162 Saskatoon Blades
41 Oshawa Generals 102 Oshawa Generals 163 Oshawa Generals
42 Chicoutimi Saguenéens 103 Chicoutimi Saguenéens 164 Chicoutimi Saguenéens
43 Brandon Wheat Kings 104 Brandon Wheat Kings 165 Brandon Wheat Kings
44 Kingston Frontenacs 105 Kingston Frontenacs 166 Kingston Frontenacs
45 Shawinigan Cataractes 106 Shawinigan Cataractes 167 Shawinigan Cataractes
46 Prince Albert Raiders 107 Prince Albert Raiders 168 Prince Albert Raiders
47 Barrie Colts 108 Barrie Colts 169 Barrie Colts
48 Drummondville Voltigeurs 109 Drummondville Voltigeurs 170 Drummondville Voltigeurs
49 Prince George Cougars 110 Prince George Cougars 171 Prince George Cougars
50 Brantford Bulldogs 111 Brantford Bulldogs 172 Brantford Bulldogs
51 Rimouski Océanic 112   Rimouski Océanic 173 Rimouski Océanic
52 Lethbridge Hurricanes 113 Lethbridge Hurricanes 174 Lethbridge Hurricanes
53 Windsor Spitfires 114 Windsor Spitfires 175 Windsor Spitfires
54 Moncton Wildcats 115 Moncton Wildcats 176 Moncton Wildcats
55 Victoria Royals 116 Victoria Royals 177 Victoria Royals
56 Kitchener Rangers 117 Kitchener Rangers 178 Kitchener Rangers
57 Spokane Chiefs 118 Spokane Chiefs 179 Spokane Chiefs
58 London Knights 119 London Knights 180 London Knights
59 Calgary Hitmen 120 Calgary Hitmen 181 Calgary Hitmen
60 Medicine Hat Tigers 121 Medicine Hat Tigers 182 Medicine Hat Tigers
61 Everett Silvertips 122  Everett Silvertips 183 Everett Silvertips