Photo credit: RocketFAN

By Regan Bartel

Building by selecting astutely

Rockets pick 3rd, and 9th at draft table

Apr 10, 2025 | 9:20 PM

Kelowna Rockets press release:

The Western Hockey League announced today that the Kelowna Rockets have been granted the third pick in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft following the completion of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery.

The Rockets also hold the 20^th overall pick, which was acquired from the Spokane Chiefs in a trade earlier this season.

The Regina Pats won the draft lottery, moving from second to first overall.

The 2025 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery involved the six non-playoff Clubs – Kelowna, Red Deer, Wenatchee, Kamloops, Regina, and Moose Jaw – from the 2024-25 WHL Regular Season. A Club was only allowed to move up a maximum of two positions in the WHL Prospects Draft.

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Regan’s Take: Had the lottery balls bounced differently, the Kelowna Rockets would be holding onto the first overall pick. Instead, they’ll select third in May’s WHL Draft—a valuable asset they’re expected to use as trade capital ahead of hosting next year’s  Memorial Cup. Given the high draft position, the Rockets are likely to target a seasoned player—ideally another former top WHL prospect. Deals involving first-round picks often see similar pedigree in return. A good example is the 2021 one-for-one trade that saw Colton Dach acquired from Saskatoon in exchange for Trevor Wong—both former first-rounders. In an ideal scenario, Kelowna moves that No. 3 pick for a standout 2006-born player who can immediately impact their Memorial Cup push. With another first-round pick at No. 20, the team also has flexibility to make an additional move for a veteran presence.

Kelowna made 10 selections in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, including four defencemen, five forwards and one goaltender. The Rockets originally held the fourth-overall pick but traded it to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange the ninth overall pick, the 57^th overall pick and a fifth-round selection in 2025.

The Rockets selected defenceman Owen Hayden with their first selection, who spent this past season with Edge School U18 Prep in Calgary. Since 2018, Kelowna has only made two other first round selections – taking Trevor Wong 18^th overall in 2018 and Andrew Cristall 8^th overall in 2020.

The Rockets have 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 first round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft will be held Wednesday, May 7. The 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will be held Thursday, May 8 with the remainder of the WHL Prospects Draft to follow.

2025 WHL PROSPECTS DRAFT – FIRST ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION

1. Regina Pats
2. Edmonton Oil Kings (from Moose Jaw)
3. Kelowna Rockets
4. Penticton Vees
5. Everett Silvertips (from Kamloops)
6. Vancouver Giants (from Wenatchee)
7. Red Deer Rebels
8. Edmonton Oil Kings (from Seattle)
9. Tri City Americans
10. Wenatchee Wild (from Swift Current)
11. Kamloops Blazers (from Vancouver)
12. Brandon Wheat Kings (from Portland)
13. Vancouver Giants (from Edmonton)
14. Kamloops Blazers (from Saskatoon)
15. Brandon Wheat Kings
16. Prince Albert Raiders
17. Prince George Cougars
18. Moose Jaw Warriors (from Lethbridge)
19. Victoria Royals
20. Kelowna Rockets (from Spokane)
21. Seattle Thunderbirds (from Calgary)
22. Saskatoon Blades (from Medicine Hat)
23. Regina Pats (from Everett Silvertips)

The Kelowna Rockets, Regina Pats and Edmonton Oil Kings (via Moose Jaw) had the opportunity to obtain the first-overall selection in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. The process for the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft Lottery was administered by Karen Tolentino of KPMG.

Starting with the second round, Penticton will receive the first pick. All other WHL Clubs shall draft based on the inverse order of the final standings from the 2024-25 WHL Regular Season.

Players eligible for the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft are 2010-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 2025 WHL Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be listed by WHL Clubs at any time thereafter.

In the 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft, the Rockets will pick ninth overall. The 2025 WHL U.S. Priority Draft will consist of two rounds and 46 selections, with each WHL Club presented with the opportunity to make two draft choices. The Rockets second pick will come 39^th overall.