Top NHL development league makes massive announcement, shaking up the future of the NHL draft
The Penticton Vees of the BCHL are joining the Western Hockey League next season as an expansion team according to the latest reports.
NHL insider Cam Robinson, who is also a scout for Elite Prospects, revealed today that the Penticton Vees of the BCHL will be joining the WHL next season in a move that will shake up the junior hockey landscape of Western Canada.
According to Robinson, the team has already paid their expansion fees and will officially switch leagues next autumn.
This is a big move for the team as they will be joining a much tougher league that operates a lot more like a pro league than the BCHL does.
Currently, the Vees have just two NHL drafted prospects on their roster.
The first is 2022 3rd round pick of the San Jose Sharks, Michael Fisher.
Fisher joined the Vees this season after recording just two points for Northeastern University in the NCAA last season.
He has a goal and 11 points in 21 games with the Vees this year.
The other NHL affiliated prospect is Habs forward Ben Merrill, who was selected in the 6th round, 166th overall by the team last summer.
Merrill has 10 goals and just a single assist for 11 points in 36 games. He is committed to Harvard University next season.
Joining the WHL will give the Vees a big boost in talent with many more NHL hopefuls expected to join the club.
After all, the WHL develops far more NHL players and prospects than the BCHL, which makes sense considering the higher level of competition.
For example, the Kelowna Rockets currently have four players already drafted to the NHL.
The Medicine Hat Tigers, who currently lead the WHL's Eastern Conference have eight NHL drafted players as well as top NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna.
It will be interesting to see how the Vees respond to this change and how many of their current players will make the jump to the WHL, if any.
Be sure to stay tuned next season to see how the transition goes and whether or not there will be an expansion draft.
| POLL | ||
Do you watch major junior hockey including the WHL? | ||
| Yes | 77 | 38.7 % |
| No | 122 | 61.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
MUST READ
Previously on HouseOfHockey
TRENDING NOW
