By Vinny Gillespie
Photos by Dylan Asmundson

The 2024 WHL Draft was nothing short of successful for the RINK Hockey Academy and its players. 8 RHA Winnipeg student-athletes were selected by 6 different WHL teams across Western Canada and the American Pacific Northwest. The WHL Draft is something athletes across Western Canada look forward to since it's one step in the right direction to their ultimate end goal of being an NHL player. Although getting drafted can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivatation to young players, it doesn't always guarantee success at getting to the next level. Take for example in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, RHA Alumnus Carson Bjarnason got drafted 2nd round, 51st overall by the Philadelphia Flyers; in the 2020 WHL draft however, Carson Bjarnason passed through all 15 rounds of the draft. It's not about where you go in the draft, it's what you do after it which counts. To all RHA student-athletes who didn't hear their names called, their journey doesn't stop here. To all RHA players who did get drafted, no matter where you got drafted, the work starts now.

Graeme Pickering (Red Deer Rebels)

With the 15th overall pick in the 1st round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Red Deer Rebels selected right-shot defenceman, Graeme Pickering. Pickering joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season and put up an impressive 7 goals and 29 assists for 36 points in 27 games in the regular season and had 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 2 playoff games with the CSSHL U15 Prep team. Graeme Pickering was named to the U15 Prep Prairie 1st All-Star Team and was a finalist for the CSSHL U15 Prep Prairie Division Top Defenceman Award.

Madden Tymchak (Kamloops Blazers)

With the 46th overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Kamloops Blazers selected assist-machine, Madden Tymchak. Tymchak joined the RHA U15 Prep team for 2023-24 season where he had 1 goal and 29 assists for 30 points in 25 regular season games, and managed to put up 2 assists in 4 playoff games.

Drayden Uhrina (Victoria Royals)

With the 53rd overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Victoria Royals selected offensive powerhouse, Drayden Uhrina. Uhrina joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he lit up the league and put up 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points in 25 games. During the 2024 CSSHL playoffs, Drayden Uhrina kept up his offensive prowess and managed to put up 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points in 4 games. With an overall season of complete domination at the U15 level, Uhrina was named to the U15 Prep Prairie 1st All-Star Team and was a finalist for the CSSHL U15 Prep Prairie Division Most Valuable Player Award. 

Cohen Lewko (Saskatoon Blades)

With the 77th overall pick in the 4th round of the WHL Bantam Draft, the Saskatoon Blades selected forward, Cohen Lewko. Lewko joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he put up an incredible 19 goals and 23 assists for 42 points in 26 regular season games. Lewko earned himself a call-up to the U17 Prep team where he played in one game. In the U15 CSSHL playoffs, Lewko put up 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 points in 4 games. 

Anthony Bedard (Spokane Chiefs)

With the 96th overall pick in the 5th round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Spokane Chiefs selected forward, Anthony Bedard. Bedard joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he put up 18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points in 24 games. In the CSSHL playoffs, Bedard put up 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games. Talk about looking like another well-known #98 Bedard with unreal stats like those!.

Knox Burton (Prince Albert Raiders)

With the 111th overall pick in the 5th round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince Albert Raiders selected forward, Knox Burton. Burton joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he put up 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 27 games. In the U15 CSSHL Playoffs, Burton took his game to another level and managed to put up 3 goals and 1 assist in 4 games.

Spencer Kuntz (Saskatoon Blades)

With the 133rd overall pick in the 5th round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Saskatoon Blades selected right shot defenceman, Spencer Kuntz. Kuntz joined the RHA U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he put up 3 goals and 22 assists for 25 points in 27 games. Kuntz also made 4 CSSHL playoff appearances.

Nolan Harding (Victoria Royals)

With the 141st pick in the 7th round of the 2024 WHL Bantam Draft, the Victoria Royals selected forward, Nolan Harding. Harding joined the U15 Prep team for the 2023-24 season where he put up 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points in 27 regular season games. In 4 playoff appearances, Harding had 2 assists in 4 playoff games.