It’s less than 24 hours away from the first virtual edition of the W-H-L Bantam Draft.

Regina has said they will take Vancouver-area forward prospect Connor Bedard with the first pick around 10 a.m. Wednesday. The Pats said they would take the Vancouver-area product and forward just after they won the Draft Lottery and it was revealed that Bedard was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to play in the W-H-L at age 15. Saskatoon and area forward prospects Brayden Yager and Riley Heidt are expected to be taken somewhere in the next three spots after the Pats…Prince George, Moose Jaw and Tri-Cities have the second, third and fourth choices, respectively. The Saskatoon Blades have the fifth overall selection as well four choices in the first 55 and 10 picks in the first nine rounds. The Prince Albert Raiders pick 15th overall and have a second round choice, but no third or fourth round selection. Following is more information on Wednesday’s Bantam Draft from the W-H-L…..

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE TO HOST 2020 WHL BANTAM DRAFT ONLINE WEDNESDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2020 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Live Presented by CIBC 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview Show Presented by Kia Canada WHL Bantam Draft Memories Presented by Kubota 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview – British Columbia: Presented by RE/MAX 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview – Alberta: Presented by McSweeney’s 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview – Saskatchewan: Presented by Real Canadian Superstore 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview – Manitoba: Presented by Wawanesa Insurance WHL Bantam Draft Steals Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League will conduct the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft online beginning at 10 a.m. MT on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Real-time results will be available at WHL.ca/draft. The Regina Pats hold the first-overall selection following the conclusion of the WHL Bantam Draft Lottery on March 25. The Prince George Cougars will select second overall, followed by the Moose Jaw Warriors with the third overall pick. The complete selection order for the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft can be found at WHL.ca/draft. Working with its valued partners, the WHL is excited to announce expanded opportunities for players, parents and fans to experience the lead up to the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Live Presented by CIBC On Wednesday, Zach Hodder, Manager, Player Development for the WHL and Taylor Rocca, Director, Communications for the WHL, will host a live show via the WHL’s YouTube page providing commentary and analysis of all 22 selections in the first round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. WATCH at WHL.ca & WHL YouTube Wednesday, April 22 9:30 a.m. MT – Pre-show 10 a.m. MT – Commencement of 2020 WHL Bantam Draft 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Preview Show Presented by Kia Canada Zach Hodder, Manager, Player Development for the WHL and Taylor Rocca, Director, Communications for the WHL, take an in-depth look at the top players up for selection, the process teams go through for scouting and share insights for what it takes for players to successfully make it into the WHL. PREMIERING at WHL.ca & WHL YouTube Tuesday, April 21 at 3 p.m. MT WHL Bantam Draft Memories Presented by Kubota In conversation with current and past WHL stars, they’ll reflect on their experience going through the WHL Bantam Draft, their experience in the WHL, and how it has helped set them up for success in the next stage of their lives. Josh Morrissey Chosen sixth overall by the Prince Albert Raiders at the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, Morrissey starred with the Raiders and Kelowna Rockets during his time in the WHL. He was named the recipient of the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy as WHL Scholastic Player of Year and also claimed the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award in 2013. A WHL Champion with the Rockets in 2015, Morrisey was selected 13^th overall by the Winnipeg Jets at the 2013 NHL Draft. The 25-year-old product of Calgary, Alta. has become an integral part of the Jets’ defence since the start of the 2016-17 NHL Regular Season. Luke Philp Chosen in the third round (59^th overall) by the Kootenay ICE at the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft, Philp played for the ICE and Red Deer Rebels during his WHL career. Philp accessed his WHL Scholarship for the start of the 2016-17 season at the University of Alberta. A two-time leading scorer in Canada West play and two-time Canada West Player of the Year, Philp signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames in March 2019. The 24-year-old product of Canmore, Alta. recently completed his first year with the Stockton Heat, Calgary’s American Hockey League affiliate. Seth Jarvis Chosen 11^th overall by the Portland Winterhawks at the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Jarvis has quickly become a standout player in the WHL. Jarvis recorded 98 points (42G-58A) in 58 games this season to rank second in WHL scoring. The Western Conference Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year and nominee for the Brad Hornung Trophy, Jarvis was also named to the WHL’s Western Conference First All-Star Team. NHL Central Scouting has ranked the 18-year-old Winnipeg, Man. product 11^th among North American skaters for the 2020 NHL Draft, making him the top-ranked WHL forward. Please CLICK HERE for all available photos for the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Please credit the respective photographer from each folder. 2020 WHL BANTAM DRAFT FIRST ROUND ORDER OF SELECTION 1. Regina Pats (from Swift Current Broncos via Lethbridge) 2. Prince George Cougars 3. Moose Jaw Warriors 4. Tri-City Americans 5. Saskatoon Blades (from Regina Pats) 6. Red Deer Rebels 7. Seattle Thunderbirds 8. Kelowna Rockets 9. Victoria Royals 10. Vancouver Giants 11. Medicine Hat Tigers (from Saskatoon Blades) 12. Calgary Hitmen 13. Brandon Wheat Kings 14. Winnipeg ICE 15. Prince Albert Raiders 16. Lethbridge Hurricanes 17. Prince George Cougars (from Medicine Hat Tigers) 18. Spokane Chiefs 19. Kamloops Blazers 20. Edmonton Oil Kings 21. Swift Current Broncos (from Everett Silvertips) 22. Prince George Cougars (from Portland Winterhawks) Players eligible for the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft will be 2005-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.