The Calgary Hitmen selected two players, one forward and one defenceman, in the inaugural WHL U.S. Prospects Draft.
The 2020 draft was conducted online Thursday afternoon and hosted by the Western Hockey League Office.
The Hitmen drafted forward Hunter Anderson with their first pick, 11th overall.
The product of Redondo Beach played with Los Angeles Jr. Kings this past season where he finished second in team scoring with 59 points in 45 games.
In the second round of the two-round draft the Hitmen selected Briggs Orr, a 5’10” 178-pound defenceman from the San Jose Jr. Sharks.
Orr was a key member of the Sharks blueline logging big minutes while recording 14 points (5g, 9a) in 54 games.
“We are very excited to add both Hunter and Briggs to our prospect pool,” said Hitmen Director of Player Personnel Dallas Thompson.
“Hunter is an excellent two-way forward with great hands who can score while Briggs is a feisty defender that takes command of his own end of the rink but can chip in offensively.”
Eligible for today’s draft were 2005-born players who reside in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
This marked the first time in league history there was a draft held exclusively for U.S. Prospects.
The selection order was determined during a February lottery where every club had an equal chance to obtain the first overall pick.
Players not drafted today remain eligible to be selected in the online 2020 WHL Bantam Draft on Wednesday, April 22 or listed by a WHL Club any time thereafter.
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