Kamloops Blazers forwards Emmitt Finniie (left) and Connor Levis (right) were picked in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. (Photo via Kamloops Blazers)
A pair of Kamloops Blazers forwards had to wait until the seventh round of the NHL Draft to hear their names called.
Emmitt Finnie was picked by the Detroit Red Wings 201st overall while teammate Connor Levis was picked by the Winnipeg Jets nine picks later, 210th overall.
The Blazers have had at least one player chosen in each of the last 12 NHL drafts dating back to 2012, the longest active streak in the WHL.
A total of 22 Blazers have heard their names called over the course of the streak, with 11 – including Kamloops native Logan Stankoven – coming since 2020.
It took to the final round, but worth the wait for @emmitt_finnie32 @levis_connor heading to @DetroitRedWings & @NHLJets.
That’s 12 straight drafts for the Blazers. #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/FJ4R0kZfb4— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) June 29, 2023
Finnie, a six-foot left winger scored 42 points (13 goals and 29 assists) in 78 regular season and playoff games in the 2022-23 season. His season included a 15-game point streak that spanned the last 10 games of the regular season and the first five of the playoffs.
“Lots of great history with the Red Wings. Just super fortunate to be picked by such a great organization,” Finnie told NL Sports Thursday.
👋, Emmitt! #DRWDraft pic.twitter.com/TlClDLsV6P
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 29, 2023
Levis, a six-foot-two right winger, put up 73 points (28 goals and 45 assists) in 78 regular season and playoff games in the 2022-23 season. He was 75th among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings released in April.
“Super excited to see my name called,” Levis said. “Winnipeg’s a great organization. I worked my hardest this year to get drafted so I’m super excited to see my name get called there.”
This Jet brings the heat 🔥 @canadalifeco | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/5sB07YQatC
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) June 29, 2023
Former Blazer Kaden Hammell – who was traded to the Everett Silvertips in January’s blockbuster trade for Olen Zellweger and Ryan Zellweger was a fifth round pick of the Seattle Kraken, 148th overall.
Kamloops native Sawyer Mynio was a third round pick of the Vancouver Canucks, 89th overall, while McBride native, Tanner Molendyk, who played some of his minor hockey in Kamloops, was a first round pick of the Nashville Predators, taken 24th overall.
You can find a full list of the players who were drafted here.
– With files from Paul James
