Pats win lottery, get pick first in WHL’s U.S. priority draft

The Regina Pats have won the right to pick first in the WHL’s 2024 U.S. priority draft.

On Wednesday, the WHL announced the results of the lotteries for that draft as well as the 2024 prospects draft.

The six teams that didn’t make the playoffs took part in the U.S. priority draft lottery.

Regina got the first and 25th selections in the draft, which is slated for May 8. It comprises two rounds and 44 selections, with teams selecting 2009-born players who live in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Players who aren’t selected in that draft will be eligible for the prospects draft, which is set for May 9.

The Saskatoon Blades hold the 22nd and 44th selections in the U.S. priority draft. The Prince Albert Raiders have the ninth and 31st picks, the Swift Current Broncos have the 17th and 39th picks, and the Moose Jaw Warriors hold the 18th and 40th picks,

As for the prospects draft, the Raiders won the lottery and moved from fourth to second overall with a pick they previously acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Everett Silvertips retained the No. 1 pick overall, which they previously got in a trade with the Kamloops Blazers.

The Pats had earlier traded their first-round pick — No. 4 overall — to the Kelowna Rockets. Regina currently holds the third pick in the second round, 25th overall.

Saskatoon had previously swapped its first-round pick (22nd overall) to Kamloops. The Blades currently are slated to make the last pick in the second round (44th overall).

Prince Albert is to have another first-round pick, at No. 9, and also is to select with the 31st pick overall.

The Broncos currently hold the 17th and 39th picks overall. The Warriors traded their first-round pick (18th overall) to the Victoria Royals, but Moose Jaw still has its second-round pick (40th overall).

Players eligible for the prospects draft are 2009s from Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the 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.