The Penticton Vees have a start on a W-H-L roster, one that includes veteran Saskatoon Blades’ defenceman Morgan Tastad (pictured).

Penticton has 22 players following Wednesday’s Expansion Draft, making 13 selections of players not protected by teams – including 18-year-old forward Liam Bursaw from the Prince Albert Raiders – and acquiring nine more players through seven trades. One of those was with the Bridge City Bunch as Loreburn product Tastad, fellow 19-year-old blue-liner Ethan Weber from California and the 31st overall choice in this year’s Prospects Draft went to the Vees for the 24th overall selection – the first one on Thursday. The first round of the Prospects Draft is being held Wednesday evening with the rest to be done Thursday, after the two-round U-S Priority Draft is held in the morning.

In addition, the C-H-L announced that the Import Draft will be held July 2nd with Moose Jaw having the first selection. The C-H-L, also, officially revealed that all teams will be allowed to have three imports on their roster next season and that this year’s Import Draft will run three rounds. The Blue and Gold will have the 40th, 101st and 162nd choices while P-A will have the 46th, 107th and 168th picks. Following are news releases from the Blades, the W-H-L and the C-H-L…..

Blades acquire first pick of the second round in deal with Vees

Edmonton, AB – The Saskatoon Blades and Penticton Vees have completed the first ever trade between the two franchises.

In lieu of offering a protected player list for the Vees Expansion Draft, Saskatoon’s acquired the Vees’ 2025 second round (24th overall) pick in exchange for 2006-born defencemen Morgan Tastad and Ethan Weber and a 2025 second round pick (31st overall). The agreement means the Vees will omit from choosing a Blade in Wednesday’s expansion draft.

“This was an opportunity to find a good home for an older player to perhaps get a bigger role than we had available here, and also to improve our draft capital and positioning,” said Blades general manager and president, Colin Priestner, “We felt it was a win-win situation.”

Drafted by the Blades in the ninth round (194th overall) of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, Tastad played two full season between 2023-2025. The Loreburn, SK native scored three goals and ten assists in 103 career games with the Blades, adding two more assists in 19 playoff games. Tastad helped the Blades reach Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2024. Weber was a listed defenceman on the Blades roster.

The Blades now hold the following picks ahead of Round 1 of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft:

ROUND	PICK	ORIGINAL TEAM
1	22	Medicine Hat Tigers
2	24	Penticton Vees
2	35	Seattle Thunderbirds
4	72	Regina Pats
6	118	Regina Pats
6	129	Saskatoon Blades
8	170	Tri-City Americans
9	198	Saskatoon Blades
10	221	Saskatoon Blades

Round 1 of the WHL Prospects Draft gets underway at 5:00pm CT on Wednesday, May 7.

The U.S. Priority Draft begins Thursday, May 8 at 8:00am CT, followed by the remaining rounds of the WHL Prospects Draft.

PENTICTON VEES ACQUIRE 22 PLAYERS IN 2025 WHL EXPANSION DRAFT PROCEEDINGS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

Calgary, Alta. – The Penticton Vees, set to compete in their inaugural Western Hockey League season in 2025-26, acquired 22 players during the 2025 WHL Expansion Draft.

The Vees selected one player from each of 13 WHL Clubs, while agreed upon trades involving seven WHL Clubs were accepted in place of expansion draft selections. The Medicine Hat Tigers and Spokane Chiefs have been granted an accommodation based on advancing to the 2025 WHL Championship Series presented by Nutrien.

2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Selections, Listed by Former Club

Brandon Wheat Kings – Davies, Isaac (Forward, 2008)
Calgary Hitmen – see Approved Trade #1
Edmonton Oil Kings – Smith, Kaenan (Goaltender, 2008)
Everett Silvertips – see Approved Trade #2
Kamloops Blazers – Anderlini, Kalan (Defence, 2006)
Kelowna Rockets – see Approved Trade #3
Lethbridge Hurricanes – Norrie, Cameron (Forward, 2007)
Medicine Hat Tigers – granted WHL Championship extension*
Moose Jaw Warriors – Hughes, Ethan (Forward, 2006)
Portland Winterhawks – Schlenker, Marek (Goaltender, 2006)
Prince Albert Raiders – Bursaw, Liam (Forward, 2007)
Prince George Cougars – Danis, Matteo (Forward, 2005)
Red Deer Rebels – Pederson, Doogan (Defence, 2006)
Regina Pats – Almen, Corban (Forward, 2007)
Saskatoon Blades – see Approved Trade #4
Seattle Thunderbirds – see Approved Trade #5
Spokane Chiefs – granted WHL Championship extension*
Swift Current Broncos – see Approved Trade #6
Tri-City Americans – Burick, Sean (Defence, 2008)
Vancouver Giants – see Approved Trade #7
Victoria Royals – Danyleyko, Wyatt (Forward, 2007)
Wenatchee Wild – Reyelts, Andrew (Goaltender, 2006)

* = the winner of the 2025 WHL Championship has received an expansion draft extension through the conclusion of the 2025 Memorial Cup; the losing team in the 2025 WHL Championship will be required to submit its protected list on the second day after elimination

Approved Trades

Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Chase Valliant (Surrey, B.C.) and 2008-born defenceman Easton LaPlante (Calgary, Alta.) from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born goaltender Jesse Sanche (Kamloops, B.C.) from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick.
Penticton Vees acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Kelowna Rockets.
Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born defenceman Morgan Tastad (Loreburn, Sask.), 2006-born defenceman Ethan Weber (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), and a 2025 second-round pick (31st overall) from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (24th overall).
Penticton Vees acquire 2006-born forward Diego Johnson (Fort St. James, B.C.) from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Penticton Vees acquire 2005-born forward Brady Birnie (Regina, Sask.), 2005-born defenceman Nolan Stevenson (Shaunavon, Sask.), and 2009-born forward Brooks DeMars (Hugo, Minn.) from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick, 2028 first-round pick (conditional).
Penticton Vees acquire acquire a 2026 fifth-round pick in lieu of selecting a player from the Vancouver Giants

2025 WHL Expansion Draft – Penticton Vees Acquisitions, Listed by Position

GOALTENDERS (4)
Reyelts, Andrew (2006, Wenatchee Wild)
Sanche, Jesse (2006, Everett Silvertips)
Schlenker, Marek (2006, Portland Winterhawks)
Smith, Kaenan (2008, Edmonton Oil Kings)

DEFENCE (7)
Anderlini, Kalan (2006, Kamloops Blazers)
Burick, Sean (2008, Tri-City Americans)
LaPlante, Easton (2008, Calgary Hitmen)
Pederson, Doogan (2006, Red Deer Rebels)
Stevenson, Nolan (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Tastad, Morgan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)
Weber, Ethan (2006, Saskatoon Blades)

FORWARD (11)
Almen, Corban (2007, Regina Pats)
Birnie, Brady (2005, Swift Current Broncos)
Bursaw, Liam (2007, Prince Albert Raiders)
Danyleyko, Wyatt (2007, Victoria Royals)
Davies, Isaac (2008, Brandon Wheat Kings)
DeMars, Brooks (2009, Swift Current Broncos)
Danis, Matteo (2005, Prince George Cougars)
Hughes, Ethan (2006, Moose Jaw Warriors)
Johnson, Diego (2006, Seattle Thunderbirds)
Norrie, Cameron (2007, Lethbridge Hurricanes)
Valliant, Chase (2006, Calgary Hitmen)

The Vees were given 24 hours to review the submitted protected lists and make their selections from the available players or negotiate trades with other WHL Clubs.

Penticton will be permitted to dress four (4) 20-year-old players in all pre-season, regular season, and playoff games during the 2025-26 WHL season only. Should Penticton win the WHL Championship, they will only be permitted to dress three (3) 20-year-old players in the 2026 Memorial Cup.

Moose Jaw Warriors to select first overall at the 2025 CHL Import Draft

The 2025 CHL Import Draft will expand to three rounds for the first time, reflecting a new policy that allows CHL clubs to carry up to three import players on their rosters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2025

TORONTO, ON — The Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) will have the first overall selection in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET. Following the Warriors, the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will choose second, while the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) will select third. The CHL’s newest franchise, the Penticton Vees of the WHL, will make their first-ever selection at No. 10 during the 2025 CHL Import Draft (see the complete draft order below).

As part of a new policy adopted for the 2025-26 season, CHL clubs will now be permitted to carry up to three import players on their rosters. In accordance with this rule change, the CHL Import Draft will expand to three rounds. Under the revised rules, a club with no current import players may select up to three players, a club with one import may select two, while a club with two imports may select one. Clubs with three import players will be ineligible to participate. Additionally, CHL clubs will be permitted to trade selections ahead of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, and these trades must be finalized two days before the draft.

For the first time in franchise history, the Moose Jaw Warriors hold the first overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, and they will be selecting within the top five for just the second time in the event’s history. With their first-round pick in last year’s CHL Import Draft, the reigning WHL champions selected Dominik Pavlik 53rd overall. The 18-year-old from Trutnov, Czechia, registered a goal and an assist over the club’s final 13 games of the 2024-25 season. The Warriors have a proven track record of developing high-impact import talent, including NHL alumni Pavel Kubina and Tomas Fleischmann, as well as Martin Rysavy, who played a key role in helping Moose Jaw capture its first-ever WHL championship in 2024.

The Peterborough Petes earned the second overall pick of the 2025 CHL Import Draft after winning the 2025 OHL Priority Selection Lottery. Set to pick second for the first time in franchise history, the Petes made only one selection at last year’s event – taking Czech forward and 2026 NHL Draft prospect Adam Novotny at No. 9. Peterborough boasts a proven history of selecting strong talent through the CHL Import Draft, including Fredrik Näslund (Sweden), Lino Martschini (Switzerland), Lukas Krajicek (Czechia), and Brian Zanetti (Switzerland), all of whom played key roles during championship seasons or brought immediate offensive contributions to the team.

The Victoriaville Tigres hold the third overall pick of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, marking their highest draft position in franchise history at this event. During last year’s draft, the Tigres chose a pair of Finnish skaters in Mikko Leppä (1st Round – 40th Overall) and Roope Rajala (2nd Round – 100th Overall), who both played a combined 39 games for Victoriaville in 2024-25. Victoriaville has a strong track record of identifying and developing international talent through the CHL Import Draft. Notable alumni include NHLer Andrej Nestrašil, as well as standout forwards Mikhail Abramov, Tomas Kubalik, and Nikita Prishchepov, who each had a significant impact on the club during their time in Victoriaville.

Over the years, the CHL Import Draft has seen countless players selected by CHL clubs at this event go on to have successful careers in the CHL’s Member Leagues (WHL, OHL, and QMJHL) before later hearing their names called at the NHL Draft. Last year, at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada, 10 CHL players who came through the CHL Import Draft were selected by NHL clubs: Julius Miettinen (Everett Silvertips, WHL / Seattle Kraken), Ondrej Becher (Prince George Cougars, WHL / Detroit Red Wings), Eriks Mateiko (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL / Washington Capitals), Adam Jecho (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL / St. Louis Blues), Jakub Milota (Cape Breton Eagles, QMJHL / Nashville Predators), Jan Golicic (Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL / Tampa Bay Lightning), Maximilian Curran (Tri-City Americans, WHL / Colorado Avalanche), Matyas Melovsky (Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL / New Jersey Devils), Jakub Fibigr (Brampton Steelheads, OHL / Seattle Kraken), and Nikita Prishchepov (Victoriaville Tigres, QMJHL / Colorado Avalanche).

Among some of the other notable import players to have come through the CHL before having successful NHL careers include Leon Draisaitl (Prince Albert Raiders / WHL), Zdeno Chara (Prince George Cougars / WHL), Marian Hossa (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Michael Backlund (Kelowna Rockets / WHL), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Portland Winterhawks / WHL), Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers / OHL), Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts / OHL), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights / OHL), Rasmus Andersson (Barrie Colts / OHL), Olli Määttä (London Knights / OHL), Nikita Kucherov (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies / QMJHL), Alexander Radulov (Québec Remparts / QMJHL), David Krejci (Gatineau Olympiques / QMJHL), Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL), and Nikolaj Ehlers (Halifax Mooseheads / QMJHL).

Since the first CHL Import Draft was held in 1992, over 2,170 players from outside of Canada and the United States have been selected at this annual event.

Order of Selections for the 2025 CHL Import Draft

First Round		Second Round		Third Round
#	Team	#	Team	#	Team
1	Moose Jaw Warriors	62	Penticton Vees	123	Penticton Vees
2	Peterborough Petes	63	Peterborough Petes	124	Peterborough Petes
3	Victoriaville Tigres	64	Victoriaville Tigres	125	Victoriaville Tigres
4	Regina Pats	65	Moose Jaw Warriors	126	Moose Jaw Warriors
5	Guelph Storm	66	Guelph Storm	127	Guelph Storm
6	Saint John Sea Dogs	67	Saint John Sea Dogs	128	Saint John Sea Dogs
7	Kelowna Rockets	68	Regina Pats	129	Regina Pats
8	Ottawa 67’s	69	Sarnia Sting	130	Sarnia Sting
9	Halifax Mooseheads	70	Halifax Mooseheads	131	Halifax Mooseheads
10	Penticton Vees	71	Kelowna Rockets	132	Kelowna Rockets
11	Sarnia Sting	72	Ottawa 67’s	133	Ottawa 67’s
12	Gatineau Olympiques	73	Gatineau Olympiques	134	Gatineau Olympiques
13	Kamloops Blazers	74	Kamloops Blazers	135	Kamloops Blazers
14	Owen Sound Attack	75	Owen Sound Attack	136	Owen Sound Attack
15	Québec Remparts	76	Québec Remparts	137	Québec Remparts
16	Wenatchee Wild	77	Wenatchee Wild	138	Wenatchee Wild
17	North Bay Battalion	78	North Bay Battalion	139	North Bay Battalion
18	Val-d’Or Foreurs	79	Val-d’Or Foreurs	140	Val-d’Or Foreurs
19	Red Deer Rebels	80	Red Deer Rebels	141	Red Deer Rebels
20	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	81	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	142	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
21	Charlottetown Islanders	82	Charlottetown Islanders	143	Charlottetown Islanders
22	Seattle Thunderbirds	83	Seattle Thunderbirds	144	Seattle Thunderbirds
23	Flint Firebirds	84	Flint Firebirds	145	Flint Firebirds
24	Newfoundland Regiment	85	Newfoundland Regiment	146	Newfoundland Regiment
25	Tri-City Americans	86	Tri-City Americans	147	Tri-City Americans
26	Niagara Icedogs	87	Niagara Icedogs	148	Niagara Icedogs
2 7	Sherbrooke Phoenix	88	Sherbrooke Phoenix	149	Sherbrooke Phoenix
28	Swift Current Broncos	89	Swift Current Broncos	150	Swift Current Broncos
29	Sudbury Wolves	90	Sudbury Wolves	151	Sudbury Wolves
30	Cape Breton Eagles	91	Cape Breton Eagles	152	Cape Breton Eagles
31	Vancouver Giants	92	Vancouver Giants	153	Vancouver Giants
32	Erie Otters	93	Erie Otters	154	Erie Otters
33	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada	94	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada	155	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
34	Portland Winterhawks	95	Portland Winterhawks	156	Portland Winterhawks
35	Saginaw Spirit	96	Saginaw Spirit	157	Saginaw Spirit
36	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	97	Baie-Comeau Drakkar	158	Baie-Comeau Drakkar
37	Edmonton Oil Kings	98	Edmonton Oil Kings	159	Edmonton Oil Kings
38	Brampton Steelheads	99	Brampton Steelheads	160	Brampton Steelheads
39	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies	100	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies	161	Rouyn-Noranda Huskies
40	Saskatoon Blades	101	Saskatoon Blades	162	Saskatoon Blades
41	Oshawa Generals	102	Oshawa Generals	163	Oshawa Generals
42	Chicoutimi Saguenéens	103	Chicoutimi Saguenéens	164	Chicoutimi Saguenéens
43	Brandon Wheat Kings	104	Brandon Wheat Kings	165	Brandon Wheat Kings
44	Kingston Frontenacs	105	Kingston Frontenacs	166	Kingston Frontenacs
45	Shawinigan Cataractes	106	Shawinigan Cataractes	167	Shawinigan Cataractes
46	Prince Albert Raiders	107	Prince Albert Raiders	168	Prince Albert Raiders
47	Barrie Colts	108	Barrie Colts	169	Barrie Colts
48	Drummondville Voltigeurs	109	Drummondville Voltigeurs	170	Drummondville Voltigeurs
49	Prince George Cougars	110	Prince George Cougars	171	Prince George Cougars
50	Brantford Bulldogs	111	Brantford Bulldogs	172	Brantford Bulldogs
51	Rimouski Océanic	112	Rimouski Océanic	173	Rimouski Océanic
52	Lethbridge Hurricanes	113	Lethbridge Hurricanes	174	Lethbridge Hurricanes
53	Windsor Spitfires	114	Windsor Spitfires	175	Windsor Spitfires
54	Moncton Wildcats	115	Moncton Wildcats	176	Moncton Wildcats
55	Victoria Royals	116	Victoria Royals	177	Victoria Royals
56	Kitchener Rangers	117	Kitchener Rangers	178	Kitchener Rangers
57	Spokane Chiefs	118	Spokane Chiefs	179	Spokane Chiefs
58	London Knights	119	London Knights	180	London Knights
59	Calgary Hitmen	120	Calgary Hitmen	181	Calgary Hitmen
60	Medicine Hat Tigers	121	Medicine Hat Tigers	182	Medicine Hat Tigers
61	Everett Silvertips	122	Everett Silvertips	183	Everett Silvertips