For the second time in three years, the Western Hockey League has produced seven first-rounders in the NHL Draft.
The Chicago Blackhawks made Saskatoon Blades forward Kirby Dach (pictured) the 3rd pick overall.
The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native posted 73 points (25G-48A) in 62 games for the Blades during the 2018-19 WHL Regular Season, ranking third in team scoring as the team returned to the playoffs after a lengthy absence.
“He has everything to impact our franchise,” Vice President/General Manager Stan Bowman said in an article on the team’s website “This is a great group, lots of talent. But if every first rounder reaches his maximum level, we think Kirby will be the best of all. Tremendous upside.”
“As a kid, when you hit your head to the pillow you’re always dreaming about hearing your name called in the draft, and to have this moment finally come is awesome,” Dach told Chris Kuc of Blackhawks.com. “I’ve worked so hard to get to this point in my life and it’s an amazing accomplishment, but I know the work is only starting.”
That pick was followed by Colorado taking Vancouver Giants defenceman Bowen Byram with the fourth pick with Lethbridge forward Dylan Cozens going 7th overall to Buffalo.
Other WHL players taken in the first round were forward Peyton Krebs (Winnipeg Ice), who went 17th to Las Vegas; defenceman Lassi Thomson (Kelowna Rockets) , who went 19th to Ottawa; forward Nolan Foote (Kelowna Rockets), who went 27th to Tampa Bay and Brayden Tracey (Moose Jaw Warriors), who went with the 29th overall selection to the Anaheim Ducks.
The draft continues Saturday in Vancouver with many more WHL players expected to be taken. The record for WHL players taken at the NHL draft was in 2010 when 43 players were selected including seven in the first round.