Prospera Place (Kelowna Rockets photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Junior hockey

Rockets get 4th pick in WHL Prospects Draft

Mar 27, 2024 | 4:15 PM

The Kelowna Rockets will have the fourth pick in the Western Hockey League’s 2024 Prospects Draft after a draft lottery was held Wednesday.

The Prince Albert Raiders won the draft lottery, moving from fourth to second overall, having previously acquired the first-round pick of the Seattle Thunderbirds. As a result, the Everett Silvertips retain the first-overall pick, having previously acquired the first-round selection belonging to the Kamloops Blazers.

The six WHL teams that did not qualify for the 2024 playoffs, unless they traded their first-round pick, participated in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery.

Kelowna had Regina’s pick, which was acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds last January in the Colton Dach deal. The Rockets own first-round pick, which is 11th overall, was dealt to Seattle in the Tij Iginla deal last spring.

The projected number one pick in this year’s draft is defenceman Landon Dupont of Edge School U18 Prep, according to The Hockey News.

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“Currently playing at the U18 level, he leads his team in points and currently sits fifth among CSSHL U18 players with 42 through 21 games. Listed at 5’11” and 170 pounds, the smooth-skating, offensively gifted defender has the potential to be a high pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft,” The Hockey News stated.

The Rockets will have the 11th pick in the second round.

The Rockets have only had two first round picks since 2018, selecting Trevor Wong 18^th overall in 2018 and Andrew Cristall 8^th overall in 2020.

The Rockets only made a top five pick five times in franchise history:

· 1991 (1): Adam Smith (D)

· 2007 (2): Luke Moffatt (F)

· 2000 (4): Josh Lepp (G)

· 1992 (5): Kyle McLaren (D)

· 1999 (5): Jason Ryznar (F)

The 2024 WHL Prospects Draft is scheduled for Thursday, May 9.

2024 WHL PROSPECTS DRAFT – FIRST ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION

1. Everett Silvertips (from Kamloops)

2. Prince Albert Raiders (from Seattle)

3. Tri-City Americans

4. Kelowna Rockets (via trades from Regina)

5. Edmonton Oil Kings

6. Calgary Hitmen

7. Spokane Chiefs

8. Victoria Royals

9. Prince Albert Raiders

10. Vancouver Giants

11. Seattle Thunderbirds (via trades from Kelowna)

12. Wenatchee Wild

13. Lethbridge Hurricanes

14. Brandon Wheat Kings

15. Red Deer Rebels

16. Medicine Hat Tigers

17. Swift Current Broncos

18. Victoria Royals (from Moose Jaw)

19. Everett Silvertips

20. Portland Winterhawks

21. Prince George Cougars

22. Kamloops Blazers (from Saskatoon)

The Kelowna Rockets (via Regina), Tri-City Americans, and Everett Silvertips (via Kamloops) had the opportunity to obtain the first-overall selection in the Prospects Draft.

Players eligible for the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft are 2009-born players who reside in Alberta, British Columbia, 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.

Players not selected in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL clubs at any time thereafter.