MOOSE JAW -- The Penticton Vees made liberal use of the rosters from Saskatchewan-based Western Hockey League teams during their expansion draft on Wednesday afternoon.
Eight players from the East Division clubs will be headed west now that everything is said and done.
The Moose Jaw Warriors, Regina Pats and Prince Albert Raiders all had one player selected, with 2006-born forward Ethan Hughes joining the Vees from the Warriors, 2007-born forward Liam Bursaw from the Raiders and 2007-board forward Corban Almen from the Pats.
Penticton will be able to carry three overagers in their inaugural season, and landed two of them in a trade with the Swift Current Broncos, with forward Brady Birnie and defenceman Nolan Stevenson heading west. They’ll be joined by 2009-born forward Brooks DeMars.
In return, the Broncos received a package of draft picks, including a 2025 fourth-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick and a conditional 2028 first-round pick.
Prince George Cougars forward Matteo Danis will serve as Penticton’s other 20-year-old heading into training camp.
The Saskatoon Blades traded a pair of 2006-born defenceman in Morgan Tastad and Ethan Weber along with their 2025 second-round pick (31st overall) in exchange for Penticton’s second-round pick (24th overall).
All told, Penticton selected or traded for 22 players, including four goaltenders, seven defenceman and 11 forwards.
Here’s how that complete list looks, as compiled by Taylor Rocca of www.whl.ca.
Goaltenders
Reyelts, Andrew (2006, Wenatchee Wild)
Sanche, Jesse (2006, Everett Silvertips)
Schlenker, Marek (2006, Portland Winterhawks)
Smith, Kaenan (2008, Edmonton Oil Kings)
Defence
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)
Forwards
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)
