Latest news with #U.S.PriorityDraft
Ottawa Citizen
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
14 new players: Saskatoon Blades get busy in the WHL Prospects Draft, U.S. Priority Draft
Article content The Saskatoon Blades were wheeling and dealing during the Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, WHL expansion draft and U.S. Priority Draft. Article content Two days. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content · (F) Max Suter (Phoenix, Ariz.) Article content Article content Suter, who doesn't turn 15 until December, impressed with five goals and one assists in five games at the John Reid Memorial Tournament. Article content With the 41st pick of the U.S. draft, the Blades selecting 5-foot-8 defenceman Charles Johnson, who netted four goals and 19 assists in 59 games with the Dallas Stars Elite 14U AAA. Johnson tacked on 36 penalty minutes as well. In five playoff games, Johnson dished two helpers and added another in four games at U.S. 14U Nationals. Article content Article content Article content Article content The Blades began proceedings by sending 2006-born Tastad, Weber and their 2025 second-round pick (31st overall) to the expansion Penticton Vees in exchange of the Vees' second-round pick (24th overall) in this year's WHL Prospects Draft on Thursday. The agreement was made in lieu of choosing a Blades player in Wednesday's expansion draft. Article content The Blades were not done with the Vees quite yet. They went on to acquire Penticton's fifth-round (93rd overall) pick in Thursday's draft in exchange for 2006-born forward James. Article content On Wednesday night, Saskatoon general manager Colin Priestner pulled the trigger on yet another trade as the Blades struck a last-minute deal with the Swift Current Broncos to move up in the first round. Article content Saskatoon acquired the 15th overall pick, selecting Martinuik, while giving up the 22nd overall pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick (93rd overall) from the James trade to Swift Current.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Calgary Hitmen trade Carson Wetsch, acquire Ben MacBeath in WHL draft day shakeup
The Calgary Hitmen have traded forward Carson Wetsch and a conditional second round pick in the 2028 WHL Prospects Draft to the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for 2008-born defenceman Ben MacBeath, a first-round pick in 2027 (Kelowna), second-round pick in 2025 and third-round pick in 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. Article content 'We have seen Carson grow as a player and person as part of the Hitmen organization since he was 15 years old,' said Hitmen vice-president Mike Moore. 'He has had a significant impact as a player and as the captain of our team. His dedication to the community over his tenure with us will leave a lasting impact on our organization.' Article content Article content Added general manager Garry Davidson: 'Carson is a character person and player and has demonstrated this through his commitment and exemplary representation of the Hitmen organization.' Wetsch was drafted in the third round by the Hitmen in 2021 and went on to play 181 games with the club, recording 124 points (68g, 56a). Article content Article content MacBeath. a product of Calgary, played the 2024-25 season with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, tallying 34 points (4g, 30a) in 53 games. Article content 'Ben is the complete package with a high hockey IQ and great feet,' said Davidson. 'He is coming off a great season in the BCHL and will be a welcomed addition to fill in our back-end as a left-handed defenceman.' Article content Earlier Wednesday, the Hitmen traded 2006-born forward Chase Valliant and 2008-born prospect Easton LaPlante to the Penticton Vees in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. This move completed Calgary's requirements for the Vees' expansion draft later in the day. Article content 'With this trade we are fulfilling our requirements for the expansion draft with the Vees while also recouping a draft pick,' said Davidson. 'This process involves giving up two quality hockey players and individuals. We wish Chase and Easton the best in Penticton.' Article content Valliant was selected in the third round of the 2021 draft by the Hitmen and went on to record 38 points (12g, 26a) in 116 games with the club. LaPlante was selected by Calgary in the second round of the 2023 draft. Article content The Hitmen did not have a pick in the first round of this year's Prospects Draft, which continues with Round 2 on Thursday. The U.S. Priority Draft will also be held on Thursday. Article content
