Draft Picks Shine In Early Season With Major Junior Teams
Jagger Firkus (Center, 2nd Round, 2022 Draft)
Moose Jaw Warriors forward Jagger Firkus was named WHL Player of the Week for the opening week of the league season, ending October 1.
Firkus scored in each of his first three games of the season, all Moose Jaw victories. Through the first seven Warriors games, he's recorded seven goals and 14 points.
Eduard Sale (Right Wing, 1st Round, 2023 Draft)
In his first-ever game with the OHL Barrie Colts, Sale scored the game-winning shootout goal to lift Barrie to a 4-3 victory over the North Bay Battalions.
Sale is still looking for his first regulation or overtime goal, but the 20th-overall pick in this summer's draft has contributed four assists in five games.
Carson Rehkopf (Center, 2nd Round, 2023 Draft)
When Sale's Colts met the Kitchener Rangers Friday night, it was Carson Rehkopf stealing the show.
Rehkopf capped the Rangers' 8-0 win with a natural hat trick. Carson, in his third season with Kitchener, has five goals and nine points on the season.
David Goyette (Center, 2nd Round, 2022 Draft)
Sudbury Star: "In an announcement that surprised and delighted fans gathered for the (Sudbury) Wolves’ OHL home opener, (David) Goyette emerged from the tunnel during the pre-game ceremony, a C newly emblazoned on his chest, to a huge ovation."
Starting his third season in Sudbury, captain Goyette has two goals and nine points in six games so far for the Wolves.
Lukas Dragicevic (Defense, 2nd Round, 2023 Draft)
Lukas Dragicevic, starting his third full season (fourth overall) with the WHL Tri-City Americans, scored his first goal of the young season Friday in a 5-2 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Kaden Hammell (Defense, 5th Round, 2023 Draft)
The closest-to-home Kraken prospect, Kaden Hammell is beginning his first full season with the WHL Everett Silvertips, after arriving in a trade with Kamloops. He has one goal and four points.
Hammell has been named one of four alternate captains with the 'Tips, who haven't yet named a captain.
“Kaden Hammell took big steps after joining us after Christmas, and he’s a positive presence who’s really good with the younger guys," coach Dennis Williams told the Everett Herald.
