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WHL Draft Day Steals: Jordan Eberle
Welcome to this edition of WHL Draft Day Steals. In this recurring column, we look at some of the best steals in the history of the WHL Draft. This week's steal is Jordan Eberle, who was drafted by the Regina Pats 126th overall back in 2005.
Listed at 5'6", 136 pounds, Eberle was drafted in the seventh round after a strong season with the Notre Dame Owens Bantam AA team. The Regina-born forward had a season to remember as he put up 40 goals and 67 points in just 27 regular season games. He also thrived at the Alberta Cup that year with six goals and seven points in five games, leading the Pats to use their seventh-round selection on him. As we know now, the selection was a stroke of genius by then-general manager Brent Parker. Not only did Eberle exceed expectations, but he became one of the greatest players ever to wear a Pats jersey.
Over 254 regular season games, Eberle scored 155 goals and recorded 310 points. His best season came in 2009-10 when he put up 106 points in 57 games and was named the WHL and CHL Player of the Year. That season, he also proudly represented Canada at the World Juniors, leading the tournament in goals and being named MVP en route to a Silver Medal. He also got a taste of AHL action that year, recording 14 points in 11 games and was invited to play for Canada at the World Championship, as he put together one of the most impressive years by a 19-year-old since the turn of the century.
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Today, Eberle is still making an impact at the NHL level as he closes in on 1,000 career games. The Seattle Kraken forward leads all players drafted in the 2005 WHL Draft class in NHL games played, goals, assists and points while being just one of two players to win Gold at the U-18, World Junior and World Championship. One of ten players to have his number retired by the Pats organization, he is a living legend and one that continues to make his hometown proud.
