Photo courtesy of Western Hockey League

By Scott Roblin

WHL Bantam Draft

WHL Bantam Draft Lottery still a go for Wednesday, draft moved to April

Mar 24, 2020 | 11:44 AM

CALGARY, AB – The Western Hockey League will be going ahead with most of their major events this off-season, albeit under different circumstances.

The WHL officially cancelled the remainder of its playoffs and the 2020 Memorial Cup on Monday, citing uncertainty regarding public health and safety of its fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With all 22 teams now in off-season mode, the league said they will proceed as planned with the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Lottery and U.S. Prospects Draft on Wednesday.

The draft lottery will involve the lowest six ranked teams in the league split between 21 selection balls in inverse standings with the Regina Pats, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Tri-City Americans eligible for the first overall pick.

Teams may only move up a maximum of two spots in the draft lottery.

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The inagural U.S. Prospects Draft will be held later in the afternoon, giving all 22 teams the chance to select two 2005-born players each from western and central United States.

Held in a snake draft format, the Medicine Hat Tigers hold the 12^th and 33^rd overall picks with undrafted players going back into the pool for the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.

Both the WHL Bantam Draft Lottery and U.S. Prospects Draft will be both be held online and will not be streamed live by the league.

The 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and WHL Awards ceremony were to have been held May 6 and 7 in Red Deer, however both live events have since been cancelled.

Instead, the WHL Bantam Draft has been moved up to April 22 and will be conducted in an online format only.