Photo by Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

By Regan Bartel

WHL Draft Lottery completed

Rockets pick 4th

Mar 27, 2024 | 5:32 PM

Rockets press release:

The Western Hockey League announced today the Kelowna Rockets will select fourth overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft following the completion of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery.

The Prince Albert Raiders won the draft lottery, moving from fourth to second overall, having previously acquired the first-round pick belonging to 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 Clubs that did not qualify for the 2024 WHL Playoffs, unless they traded their first-round pick, participated in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery. The lottery proceedings determined the order of selection for the first six picks in the first round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, with inverse order of standing from the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season determining the order of selection for the remainder of the first round and all subsequent rounds.

Kelowna had Regina’s pick, which was acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds last January in the Colton Dach deal.

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While the Rockets own first-round pick, which is 11th overall, was dealt to Seattle in the Tij Iginla deal last spring.

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 in franchise history five times:

• 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, with first-round coverage streaming on WHL Live on CHL TV.

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 2024 WHL Prospects Draft. The process for the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery was administered by Josh Glenn of KPMG.

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.