It has been 13 years since the Kamloops Blazers last had a first round selection in the NHL Draft, but that could change this week.
Forward Connor Zary is a projected first round pick, and he is expected to be drafted in the later stages of the round. It would make him the first Blazer taken in the first round since Keaton Ellerby was drafted 10th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2007.
The Saskatoon native is ranked 15th amongst North American Skaters according to NHL Central Scouting. A TSN mock draft had him as the 22nd overall selection this week.
Zary put up 86 points for the Blazers this past season as they won the BC Division title and tells NL Sports he will be live from his living room on draft night.
“The NHL Network will be having a camera and microphone in our house and it will all look similar to the virtual NFL Draft from a few months ago. I’m excited, I’m going to have some friends and family over,” said Zary, leading up to the big day.
He is not the only Blazer getting some attention at this year’s draft. Both goaltender Dylan Garand and forward Josh Pillar could be late round selections on Wednesday.
Garand feels his body of work since entering the WHL two seasons ago should bode well for him.
“I’m excited and looking forward to it. I think whoever picks me…that’ll be a good pick, and I’ll get a chance to prove that to them,” he said, from his home in Victoria.
Garand could be one of Canada’s goaltenders for the upcoming World Junior team with the tournament in Edmonton. NHL Central Scouting has him ranked sixth amongst North American goaltenders.
Forward Josh Pillar meanwhile put up 44 points in 63 games this past season. The 18-year-old is ranked 120th amongst North American skaters, while Elite Prospects has him as high as 103rd.
“It would be awesome to be drafted. I’m not concerned with when and where, just if it happens…that would be great,” Pillar told NL Sports from his home in Warman, SK.
There is the possibility that two Blazers import defencemen could also hear their names called. New Swedish import defenceman Viktor Persson is ranked 44th among European skaters, while Swiss import defenceman Inaki Baragano could slide in as a late round selection.
The first round of the NHL Draft will take place on Tuesday night. Rounds two thru seven will take place on Wednesday.
