Kelowna Rockets get help up front in U.S. draft

Photo: Contributed

Drew McDevitt

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.

The Kelowna Rockets were busy over the past 24 hours stocking the cupboard with future prospects while at the same time adding a top line forward and more trade chips to build the roster for next year’s Memorial Cup run.

The Rockets came into the prospects and U.S. priority drafts with six first round picks over the next three years. They turned the 3rd overall pick in the prospects draft into a second round pick this year and first rounders in 2026 and 2027 in a deal with Regina.

They used one of their 2027 first round picks as part of a package for power forward Carson Wetsch and used the 20th overall selection, obtained from Spokane in the Andrew Cristall deal, to grab toolsy defenceman Will Kelts out of the Northern Alberta Xtreme program.

The 6’2” Kelts is described as a tough, physical defenceman with a lot of offensive ability.

They used Regina’s second round pick, 26th overall on another puck moving defenceman, Remy Koch out of the Edge Prep program in Calgary.

The Rockets also swung a deal with Edmonton to move back into the second round to take left winger Joel Ngandu from Xtreme with the 34th pick giving them three prospects in the first 34 picks.

Other selections in the prospects draft include:

• 4th Round. Grayson Bauer - centre - Edge Prep
• 5th Round. Channon Fummerton - defenceman - Rink Kelowna
• 6th Round. Logan German - goalie - Winnipeg Bruins
• 7th Round. Khalil Haji - defenceman - Edmonton CAC
• 7th Round. Bronson Lamontagne - centre - Rink Kelowna
• 8th Round. Dylan Veroba - defenceman - Sask East Oilers

The Rockets also selected forwards Drew McDevitt (9th overall) and Ryan Lee (39th overall) in the U.S. priority draft.

In all, the Rockets took five defencemen, five forwards and a goaltender.

The annual CHL import draft is set for July 2, after the NHL draft.

The Rockets have the seventh overall pick.

The import draft has been expanded to three rounds as the CHL begins allowing teams to carry three imports beginning next season.

ORIGINAL NOON

The Kelowna Rockets added a pair of forwards from California during Thursday’s U.S. priority draft.

The two-round draft took place prior to the resumption of the prospects draft.

With the ninth overall pick, the Rockets nabbed forward Drew McDevitt from the California Goldrush 14U program.

Over the span of 55 games this past season, McDevitt led his team in scoring with 44 goals and 30 assists.

With the 39th overall pick, the Rockets selected forward Ryan Lee from the Los Angeles Jr. Kings 14U program.

In 56 games this past season, Lee put up 27 goals and 57 points.

Those players not selected in the special U.S. draft will be available to all teams in the prospects draft.

The first round of the prospects draft was held Wednesday evening with the remaining rounds set for today.