2016 NHL DRAFT: WHL REVIEW (Part 2)

Here's a look at what unfolded during the proceedings in Buffalo during the third round. The focus here is on Western Hockey League prospects.

Round 3
71 - Colorado...Josh Anderson, D, Prince George Cougars (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 10th)
74 - Carolina...Hudson Elymiuk, C, Spokane Chiefs (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 11th) 
82 - Philadelphia...Carson Twarynski, LW, Calgary Hitmen (HF Rank: N/R; WHL: 12th)
85 - Anaheim...Josh Mahura, D, Red Deer Rebels (HF Rank: 9th; WHL: 13th)
87 - Washington...Garrett Pilon, RW, Kamloops Blazers (HF: N/R; WHL: 14th)
88 - Tampa Bay...Connor Ingram, G, Kamloops Blazers (HF: N/R; WHL: 15th)

Notes: Anderson was injured late in the second half of the season, a blow to the Cougars fortunes heading into the playoffs...Elyniuk's father, Pat, played for the Prince Albert Raiders years ago and now devotes time to training hockey players in the Calgary area...The selection of Twarynski seems to confirm the Flyers like what they see when watching the Hitmen. Former Hitmen defenseman Travis Sanheim (17th, 2014) and forward Radel Fazleev (168th, 2014) have recently been drafted and signed by Philadelphia...Mahura played a total of two regular season games, but was highly-touted and never out of the 2016 Draft conversation during his abscence. He returned to play during the post-season and Memorial Cup...Pilon is the son of former NHL defenseman Rich Pilon, and a former player in the successful Saskatoon Contacts AAA midget program. I spoke with Pilon in Kamloops during the final week of the WHL regular season. That piece is right here...Ingram was outstanding in Kamloops this season, evidenced by the flood of scouts into the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops late in  the season. Hockey followers will recall Ingram playing almost nine full periods during the playoff round of the 2014 Telus Cup in Moose Jaw, backstopping the Prince Albert Mintos to the national midget championship. That tournament featured 2016 first rounder Tyson Jost (Colorado, 10th overall) of the Okanagan Rockets, who won the bronze medal.

Total number of WHL players selected at the NHL Draft:

2016:  34. (1st Rd: 4)         2010:  33. (1st Rd: 5) 
2015:  35. (1st Rd: 5)         2009:  31. (1st Rd: 5) 
2014:  37. (1st Rd: 9)         2008:  37. (1st Rd: 9) 
2013:  33. (1st Rd: 8)         2007:  37. (1st Rd: 9)
2012:  32. (1st Rd: 6)         2006:  24. (1st Rd: 4) 
2011:  33. (1st Rd: 6)