Pats pick Hordichuk first overall in WHL U.S. draft

The Regina Pats added another prospect with NHL bloodlines on Wednesday.

With the No. 1 overall selection in the Western Hockey League U.S. Priority Draft, the Pats selected forward Braden Hordichuk — the son of former NHLER Darcy Hordichuk.

The 15-year-old Braden, who was born in Vancouver when his dad played for the Canucks, suited up for the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 14U AAA team this past season, registering 20 goals and 12 assists in 37 games. The five-foot-nine, 162-pounder also played 25 games of high school hockey with the Notre

Dame prep squad, putting up 45 points including 31 goals.

His father Darcy, who is from Kamsack, Sask., played 542 games in the NHL registering 41 points and 1,140 career penalty minutes with seven teams. His last NHL season was in 2012-13 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

It's the second straight year the Pats have grabbed a prospect with NHL bloodlines in the U.S. draft after they selected Parker Trottier — the grandson of hall of famer Bryan Trottier — in 2023.

With their second and final pick on Wednesday, the Pats selected forward Camden Zaporzan 25th overall. The 15-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, suited up for the Shattuck St. Mary's 14U AAA squad in 2023-24, where he put up 50 points in 57 games. The year prior, the five-foot-five, 138-pound prospect played 14U AA for the Alaska Oilers.

The Pats will now prepare for the WHL Prospects Draft, which will start Thursday morning. Regina's first pick will be in the second round, 25th overall, after previously trading their first-round selection.