Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Hockey League has altered its plan for several upcoming events.
Two events that were to be held in Red Deer in May — the WHL Awards and the 2020 Bantam Draft — have been cancelled. Instead, the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft will be conducted online on April 22.
The 2020 WHL Bantam Draft Lottery and 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft will proceed as originally scheduled on Wednesday, March 25.
The WHL Bantam Draft Lottery will determine the order of selection by the first six teams in the first round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. The bottom six teams from the 2019-20 season will be included. Participating teams include the Swift Current Broncos, Moose Jaw Warriors, Tri-City Americans, Prince George Cougars, Regina Pats, and Red Deer Rebels.
A team may only move up a maximum of two positions in the WHL Bantam Draft. Swift Current has the most selection balls with six, while Moose Jaw is second with five.
The order of selection for the second round and all other rounds in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft will be determined by the inverse order of the final standings for the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season.
The 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft will consist of two rounds and 44 selections. Each team will be able to make two draft choices. Moose Jaw will select 20th in the first round and then again at 25th near the start of the second round.
Players not selected in the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft will remain eligible to be selected in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Players can also be listed by teams at any point thereafter.
