2022 WHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2022 WHL Draft has future NHL talent on display. Find out who went to what WHL team and our grades for all 22 first round picks.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 20, 2022.

1. Medicine Hat Tigers: Gavin McKenna, LW, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 161 lb Gavin McKenna had 23 goals, 42 assists, and 65 points, in 35 games with Rick Hockey Academy's Under 18 Team in Kelowna playing against players older than him as a 14-year-old. He's only going to play 5 games in the WHL next season, but McKenna is already one of the top 5 names for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft since he's the cousin of future number one overall pick Connor Bedard.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 14, McKenna has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. He's very quick and fast on his feet too. He processes the game so fast. He projects as a first line left winger in the WHL.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna is competing with center Noah Kosick the front runner to be picked first overall in the 2023 WHL Draft, Ryan Roobroeck who will either go first overall in the 2023 or 2024 OHL Draft, and Camden Pantekoek an exceptional sniper in the United States who will play on the USNTDP team or the USHL team with the first pick in the 2024 USHL Draft to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. One other player who could sneak into the top 5 of the 2026 NHL Draft is Adam Nemec the younger brother of Simon Nemec. Simon Nemec is the top defenseman in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
2. Tri-City Americans: Jackson Smith, D, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   I trust Tri-City Americans GM Bob Tory who we had on the podcast a few years ago when Michael Rasmussen and Jusso Vallimaki were draft eligible. Tory is recreating that. Two years ago Tory drafted Lukas Dragicevic the top defenseman in the 2020 WHL Draft. Last year, Tory drafted Jordan Gavin in the 2021 WHL Draft who is the top WHL player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. This year Bob Tory drafted the top defenseman in the 2022 WHL Draft for the second time in three years. Assistant GM Roy Stasuik helped Bob Tory scout this guy and praised Jackson Smith for his edge control, quickness, and ability to move the puck.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 175 lb Jackson Smith had 15 goals, 23 assists, and 39 points in 29 games of Bantam for Edge School's Under 15 Prep Team. The Calgary, Alberta native shows creativity and will play with Lukas Dragicevic on the first line on the Tri-City Americans defense making it incredibly difficult to score on their top line.
   
   
   
   Jackson Smith has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Jackson Smith is another blue chip defender like Brandon Carlo, Jusso Vallimaki, and Lukas Dragicevic that Tory can build his blue line around. Fantastic pick for the Tri-City Americans at 2 as Jackson Smith has traits you want in a future star defenseman.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Victoria Royals: Cole Reschny, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-8 141 lb Cole Reschny had 40 goals, 52 assists, and 92 points in 25 games with the Northern Alberta Extreme Under 15 Prep Team. Cole Reschny was the top playmaker center in the 2022 WHL Draft. Cole Reschny was the second best overall player on most preliminary WHL rankings behind Gavin McKenna and ahead of Jackson Smith, but those were the consensus top 3 players in the 2022 WHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Cole Reschny has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. He brings an energy that will elevate his teammates.
   
   
   
   Cole Reschny has a chance to be a special player for the Victoria Royals the same way the top 2 picks in the 2022 WHL Draft have a chance to be special players. The Victoria Royals GM described his work ethic as infectious and described Reschny as a first line center in the WHL.
   
   
   
4. Calgary Hitmen: Reese Hamilton, D, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 148 lb Reese Hamilton was teammates with Cole Reschny on the Northern Alberta Extreme Under 15 Prep Team. Reese Hamilton defended well as a two-way defenseman taking pressure off of Cole Reschny. Reese Hamilton had 12 goals, 42 assists, and 54 points in 27 games with Northern Alberta Extreme. He's a first line defenseman who can anchor the blue line and checks off every box.
   
   
   
   Reese Hamilton has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Reese Hamilton did a little bit more offensively than Jackson Smith heading into the 2022 WHL Draft, but both guys are complete two-way defenseman.
   
   
   
   The WHL player comparison for Reese Hamilton is former Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Shea Theodore. Shea Theodore was a first round pick for the Anaheim Ducks. Theodore is now a second line defenseman on the Vegas Golden Knights.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Regina Pats: Cole Temple, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-9 150 lb Cole Temple is an exceptional skater who can skate North and South. Cole Temple dominated on the Brandon Wheat Kings Under 15 AAA Bantam Team with 58 goals, 50 assists, and 108 points. He also gets to learn under future number one overall draft pick Connor Bedard, the front runner to be drafted first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and he also has Jaxsin Vaughan a player Regina took in the first round of the 2021 WHL Draft as a center at teammate for when Bedard goes to the NHL after the 2023 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 15, Temple has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Cole Temple is someone who could very easily pick up right where Connor Bedard left off after Bedard goes first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft if Jaxsin Vaughan doesn't step into that role.
   
   
   
6. Swift Current Broncos: Peyton Kettles, D, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-2 156 lb Peyton Kettles had 9 goals, 25 assists, and 36 points in 30 games at Rink Academy Winnipeg. He's a big mobile guy. He's not going to anchor the blue line, but he's someone who can come in and compliment Josh Fluker. He shows flair of offensive ability despite being perceived as a defensive defenseman.
   
   
   
   Peyton Kettles has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Peyton Kettles is a nice addition as the Swift Current Broncos continue to build their blue line.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Vancouver Giants: Cameron Schmidt, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-7 136 lb Cameron Schmidt had 25 goals, 16 assists, and 41 points with Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna's Under 15 Prep Team. He's a dynamic offensive player that's a one shot scorer. Barclay Parneta compared Cameron Schmidt to Fabian Lysell the Boston Bruins 2021 first round pick who joined the Vancouver Giants after his contract in Sweden was over.
   
   
   
   Cameron Schmidt has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. He had a mind boggling 6 goals, 1 assist, and 7 points in his teams 8-5 victory over his opponent displaying traits of a future first line center in the WHL.
   
   
   
8. Spokane Chiefs: Chase Harrington, LW, (2026) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 166 lb Chase Harrington had 32 goals, 18 assists, and 50 points in 29 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Prep Green Under 15 Team. Chase Harrington has elite stick handling and projects as a future first line left winger. He will do amazing things playing on the same line as last years number one pick in the 2021 WHL Draft in Berkly Catton.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 14, Harrington has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, stick handling, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. He's very quick and fast on his feet too.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Prince George Cougars: Lee Shurgot, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-0 165 lb Lee Shurgot had 57 goals, 43 assists, and 100 points in 31 games with the Saskatoon Generals Under 15 AA Bantam Team. Lee Shurgot's offensive ability is unlimited and unparralled according to the Prince George Cougars director of scouting.
   
   
   
   Lee Shurgot has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Lee Shurgot will be a player to keep an eye on once he arrives on the Prince George Cougars. Lee Shurgot could easily be a first line center on the Prince George Cougars in a year or two from now.
   
   
   
10. Seattle Thunderbirds: Braeden Cootes, C, (2025) C Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 151 lb Braeden Cootes had 29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points in 30 games with the Yale Hockey Academy Under 15 Team which has produced numerous prospects in the WHL Draft over the years. The Seattle Thunderbirds traded a first round pick, a third round pick, and a sixth round pick to move up five spots in the 2022 WHL Draft for Braeden Cootes.
    
    
    
    Braeden Cootes has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Braeden Cootes will be a player to keep an eye on once he arrives on the Seattle Thunderbirds. Braeden Cootes will have a veteran right winger to compliment him on the Seattle Thunderbirds in Tij Iginila the son of Jarome Iginla.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Lethbridge Hurricanes: William Sharpe, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 183 lb William Sharpe had 19 goals, 23 assists, and 42 points averaging 2 points per game with Yale Hockey Academy. William Sharpe was ranked as the third best defenseman on the Lethbridge Hurricanes draft board this year when Lethbridge drafted him eleventh overall.
    
    
    
    William Sharpe will form a deadly blue line tandem with Tristen Doyle who was ranked as high as the fourth best player in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft before the Lethbridge Hurrianes drafted him seventeenth overall with a late first round pick. Sharpe like Doyle can play all three zones effectively despite his size. He can get 20 assists per season and is very seasoned as an offensive defenseman. In fact, I'd argue that Sharpe is just as effective if not more effective then Doyle on the power play.
    
    
    
    William Sharpe has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. The William Sharpe and Tristen Doyle blue line combination will be one to keep an eye on since both defenseman on the Lethbridge Hurricanes are eligible for the 2024 and 2025 NHL Drafts.
    
    
    
12. Brandon Wheat Kings: Joby Baumuller, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 175 lb Joby Baumuller only had 15 goals, 11 assists, and 26 points in 20 games at the Notre Dame Hounds Prep Academy. The Brandon Wheat Kings director of scouting was surpised that Baumuller was there at 12 which is hte only reason Brandon got an A+ grade. He's a fast skater and effective scorer, but he didn't stand out as much as the top 11 players in the 2022 WHL Draft from watching his highlights in my honest opinion.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Kamloops Blazers: Nathan Behm, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 173 lb Nathan Behm had 28 goals, 29 assists, and 57 points in 29 games with Edge Prep's Under 15 Team. He averaged nearly a goal per game and an assist per game.
    
    
    
    Nathan Behm has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Nathan Behm goes to Kamloops where he'll get to learn under some veteran players in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The consistency Nathan Behm displayed in Bantam is the biggest reason I gave the Kamloops Blazers a thirteenth consecutive A+ grade. The last time I gave that many A+ grades during a WHL Draft was back in 2019.
    
    
    
14. Moose Jaw Warriors: Connor Schmidt, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 163 lb Connor Schmidt had 1 goals, 20 assists, and 32 points in 30 games with Okaagan Hockey Academy's Under 15 Prep Team. He goes to a fantastic situation in Moose Jaw whose produced six NHL draft picks on defense dating back to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft when Morgan Reilly went fourth overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs, which was the same year former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke had Reilly first overall on Toronto's draft board that year.
    
    
    
    Moose Jaw has a top fifteen draft prospect who may go in the top 10 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft with Denton Mateychuk, who was Moose Jaw's 2019 first round pick in the 2019 WHL Draft three years ago. Connor Schmidt will learn under Denton Mateychuk next year and that will do wonders for his game moving forward considering that Moose Jaw has developed a factory for defensemen through the NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Connor Schmidt has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Connor Schmidt is someone who looks like a very promising two-way defenseman and he'll only get better going to a situation like Moose Jaw where he'll learn under Denton Mateychuk.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Prince Albert Raiders: Luke Moroz, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-8 143 lb Luke Moroz had 47 goals, 61 assists, and 108 points with the Prairie Storm Under 15 AA Team. The last time, Prince Albert had a playmaker center this good who was consistently dominating in Bantam prior to joining the WHL was when Mike Modano was on a tryout before he got a hat trick in his first game.
    
    
    
    Luke Moroz has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Luke Moroz goes to a really consistent Prince Albert Raiders team in the WHL.
    
    
    
16. Medicine Hat Tigers: Hayden Harsanyi, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-6 140 lb Hayden Harsanyi gives left winger Gavin McKenna a playmaker center. This will make the Medicine Hat Tigers a lot deadlier on offense when McKenna joins the Tigers full time.
    
    
    
    Hayden Harsanyi had 31 goals, 36 assists, and 67 points in 25 games with Northern Alberta Xtreme's Under 15 Prep Team.
    
    
    
    Hayden Harsanyi has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Harsanyi will be on a very deep Medicine Hat Tigers roster so he'll earn every minute he gets with the organization.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Red Deer Rebels: Luke Vlooswyk, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 160 Lue Vlooswyk only had 8 goals, 17 assists, and 25 points in 33 games with the Calgary Bisons Under 15 AAA Bantam Team. You can look at those stats and say the production is underwhelming. Luke Vlooswyk made up for that in the interview process since told the Red Deer Rebels GM that his long-term goal was to be a leader and the future captain of the Red Deer Rebels. This impressed their GM enough to draft Luke Vlooswyk at 17 with Red Deer's GM saying we look for defenseman who are big, athletic, skate well, and are intelligent. Luke Vlooswyk checked off all of these boxes, and it will be up to the Red Deer Rebels coaching staff to develop the rest of his game.
    
    
    
18. Portland Winterhawks: Graham Jones, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-7 126 lb Graham Jones had 33 goals, 48 assists, and 81 points in3 0 games with the Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg Under 15 Prep Team. He showed he could score in the playoffs too. Graham Jones was a superb pick for the Portland Winterhawks at 18.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Vancouver Giants: Aaron Obobaifo, LW, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 190 lb Aaron Obobaifo is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He had 100 goals with the Bow River Bruins in 2020-2021. He also had 6 goals, 5 assists, and 11 points in 6 games with the Edge Prep Under 15 Team in 2020-2021. Aaron Obobaifo followed that up with 44 goals, 47 assists, and 91 points in 52 games with Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA Team.
    
    
    
    Aaron Obobaifo has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. Aaron Obobaifo has a chance to be a first line left winger on the Vancouver Giants down the road as well as the top left winger from the WHL in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
20. Everett Silvertips: Julien Maze, LW, (2026) A- Grade
    
    
    The 5-7 129 lb Julien Maze had 22 goals, 24 assists, and 46 points in 24 games with OHA Edmonton's Under 15 Prep Team. Julien Maze led OHA Edmonton's Under 15 Prep Team with 1.96 points per game. Julien Maze was one of six players in Alberta to be named to Alberta's All Star Team in 2022. He was the last of the four All Star players on Alberta to get drafted in the first round of the 2022 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Saskatoon Blades: Isaac Poll, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 160 lb Isaac Poll had 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, in 26 games with Prairie Storm's Under 15 AA Team. Isaac Poll is a great two way defenseman making this a fantastic first round pick for the Saskatoon Blades here.
    
    
    
22. Vancouver Giants: Jakob Oreskovic, C, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 153 lb Jakob Oreskovic had 19 goals, 27 assists, and 46 points in 28 games on the Delta Hockey Academy Prep Green Under 15 Team. He was a playmaker center while his teammate Chase Harrington was the sniper on the Delta Hockey Academy Prep Green Uunder 15 Team with 32 goals, 18 assists, and 50 points.
    
    
    
    Jakob Oreskovic has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the WHL. The Vancouver Giants got this 2022 first round pick from the Winnipeg Ice who drafted two centers Matthew Savoie and Connor Geekie first and second overall back in the 2019 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Vancouver is going to have Cameron Schmidt as their future first line center. However, Jakob Oreskovic is someone who has the traits to be a really good second line center kind of like how Connor Geekie was behind Matthew Savoie.