For the first time in 18 years, the Western Hockey League is adding a team to its membership – meaning an Expansion Draft!

The W-H-L holds an Expansion Draft Wednesday, designed to help stock its 23rd team in Penticton. All 22 existing teams had to submit protected lists Tuesday to the league with teams having two options – protect 14 players aged 17 to 19 for next season, plus three 20-year-olds, or protect 16 players aged 17 to 20 for the upcoming season. The Vees will be able to pick one player from each team left unprotected or make a trade with a team, in lieu of picking a player.

Following the expansion draft, the focus shifts to the first round of the Prospects Draft Tuesday night. The Regina Pats hold the first overall pick. The Saskatoon Blades have the 22nd overall pick, originally belonging to Medicine Hat from the Tanner Molendyk trade. The rest of the Prospects Draft will be completed Thursday, along with the choices made in the two-round U-S Priority Draft. Following is Les Lazaruk’s complete conversation with Blades’ President and General Manager Colin Priestner, dealing with all things Expansion, Prospects and U-S Priority Draft…..