2021 WHL Draft Results

Round 1

The 2021 WHL Draft has future NHL talent on display. Find out who went to what WHL team and our grades for all 22 first round picks.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 20, 2021.

1. Spokane Chiefs: Berkly Catton, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-11 154 lb Berkly Catton is a cerebral offensive player that is an exceptional playmaker who also possesses a quick and lethal release. He had 11 goals, 12 asssists, and 23 points in Canada in 2021-2022 prior to the 2021 WHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 15, Catton has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's very quick and fast on his feet too.
   
   
   
   Czech Republic native and Tappara right winger Adam Jecho, Finland goalie Eemil Vinni, WHL US Draft first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, a center from Vancouver who lives in California, and Slovakian defenseman Jakub Chromiak will be competing with Berkly Catton for the right to be drafted first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Right now all of these players are preliminary candidates to go in the top 5 overall of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
2. Tri-City Americans: Jordan Gavin, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   I trust Tri-City Americans GM Bob Tory who we had on the podcast a few years ago when Michael Rasmussen and Jusso Vallimaki were draft eligible. Tory is recreating that. Last year Tory drafted Lukas Dragicevic the top defenseman in the 2020 WHL Draft. This year, Tory drafted Jordan Gavin who is the top WHL player in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The 5-11 161 lb Jordan Gavin has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Mark my words, Jordan Gavin will be Bob Tory's highest NHL draft pick since Carey Price back in 2005.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Brandon Wheat Kings: Charlie Elick, D, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-2 174 lb Charlie Elick is the top defenseman in the 2021 WHL Draft. Charlie Elick has the size to be a future defenseman in the NHL. Charlie Elick and Quinn Mantei will make a deadly blue line tandem on the Brandon Wheat Kings in a year or two.
   
   
   
   Charlie Elick has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Charlie Elick gives the Brandon Wheat Kings a face for their blue line. He's also got a shot to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
4. Brandon Wheat Kings: Roger McQueen, C, (2025) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-3 194 lb Roger McQueen unrelated to Lightning McQueen from Cars is a great player for Brandon to build around. He is a playmaker center. He dominated in 2019-2020 as an alternate captain on the Saskatoon Stallions with 29 goals, 58 assists, and 87 points in 31 games. He was the team captain on the Saskatoon Stallions Under 15 Team in 2020-2021 generating 9 goals, 18 assists, and 27 points in only 4 games. Roger McQueen also has 7 goals, 21 assists, and 28 points on the Saskatoon Blazers Under 18 Team despite signing his contract to play with the Brandon Wheat Kings.
   
   
   
   McQueen has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Roger McQueen is currently my eleventh best prospect in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Red Deer Rebels: Ollie Josephson, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 6-1 174 Ollie Josephson is bigger than the Red Deer Rebels 2020 first round pick Kalan Lind. He's not as consistent of a point producer as Lind on film, but he's already got 1 game of experience with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL and has played 5 BCHL with the Victoria Grizzlies since his place of birth is Victoria, British Columbia.
   
   
   
   Ollie Josephson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's playing in the BCHL rather than facing kids his own age. He's also the only top 5 pick with one WHL game giving him an outside shot to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
6. Swift Current Broncos: Clarke Caswell, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 152 lb Clarke Caswell is an exceptional skater who can skate North and South. He's described by some as a 4-way player. Not sure where that term comes because I've never heard that term used. Clarke Caswell is also the most versatile player in the 2022 WHL Draft with the versatility to play center, left wing, or right wing which is why this pick got an A+ grade. At one point Caswell was the front runner to go third overall in the 2021 WHL Draft which should tell you all you need to know.
   
   
   
   Despite being only 15, Caswell has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's currently a top 10 prospect in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Swift Current Broncos: Josh Fluker, D, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 134 lb Josh Fluker is a great skater and puck moving defenseman. He's got a relentless work ethic making this a very good pick by the Swift Current Broncos. Josh Fluker has a shot to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
8. Medicine Hat Tigers: Tomas Mrsic, C, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   The 5-10 154 lb Tomas Mrsic may only be 15-years-old, but he's dominated against players older than him at Delta Hockey Academy outplaying 16, 17, and 18 year olds in their Academy. There's a reason why Tomas Mrsic already has 2 games of experience with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He's got a shot to be a top 10 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Seattle Thunderbirds: Tij Iginla, RW, (2024) A+ Grade
   
   
   Seattle drafted two studs two years ago when they selected Jordan Gustafson and Kevin Korchinski so Oremba will either move to right wing or left wing where he will compliment Gustafson as a goal scorer. The Thunderbirds drafted Sam Oremba in the 2020 WHL Draft. Seattle used their first overall pick in the 2021 WHL US Draft for American born skaters on Macklin Celebrini the early front runner to go first overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft before drafting Tij Iginla the son of former NHL superstar Jarome Iginla. Honestly, the Seattle Thunderbirds may win a WHL Championship or at least go on a very deep run in the WHL Playoffs with all the talent they've assembled the past three years at forward.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 161 lb Tij Iginla is the son of Jarome Iginla. Jarome Iginla taught his son how to skate at an early age and coached him on the Boston Jr. Eagles.
   
   
   
   Tij Iginla has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Iginla will be on a very deep Seattle Thunderbirds roster so he'll earn every minute he gets with the organization.
   
   
   
10. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Miguel Marques, RW, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Miguel Marques already made his WHL debut on Friday after being drafted tenth overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Miguel Marques will only continue to get more ice time with the Lethbridge Hruricanes. He's been playing hockey for ten years now since he was 5 and the hard work is starting to pay off.
    
    
    
    Miguel Marques has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Miguel Marques is the top right winger not named Tij Iginla.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Vancouver Giants: Colton Roberts, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-4 181 lb Colton Roberts is a natural at knocking opposing players on their ass. Mazden Leslie and Colton Roberts will become a formidable duo on the back line for the Vancouver Giants in due time. Roberts is the biggest defenseman in the 2021 WHL Draft which is why this pick gets another A+ grade. Colton Roberts is the best defenseman the Vancouver Giants got since getting Bowen Byram the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Colton Roberts has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He does everything Mazden Leslie does, plus he knocks players on their asses.
    
    
    
12. Calgary Hitmen: Carson Wetsch, RW, (2024) B+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-2 165 lb Carson Wetsch was a top 15 prospect in the 2021 WHL Draft. Most had him in the 15-20 draft range which is why this is a slight reach at 12. He may end up complimenting center Oliver Tulk down the road though.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Prince Albert Raiders: Cole Peardon, C, (2024) C Grade
    
    
    The Prince Albert Raiders were my biggest loser of the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. They took two players with second round grades with their two first round picks by drafting center Cole Peardon and right winger Ryder Ritchie. Also Prince ALbert is the only team to get both C grades of this draft through fourteen selections.
    
    
    
14. Prince Albert Raiders: Ryder Ritchie, LW, (2024) C Grade
    
    
    The Prince Albert Raiders were my biggest loser of the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. They took two players with second round grades with their two first round picks by drafting center Cole Peardon and right winger Ryder Ritchie. Also Prince ALbert is the only team to get both C grades of this draft through fourteen selections.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Prince George Cougars: Tyson Buczkowski, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-0 165 lb Tyson Buczkowski was once projected to go in the top 5 of the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. The Prince George Cougars got a huge steal in terms of value with this pick.
    
    
    
    Buczkowski has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tyson Buczkowski will be a player to keep an eye on once he arrives on the Prince George Cougars.
    
    
    
16. Moose Jaw Warriors: Marek Howell, D, (2024) C Grade
    
    
    The 6-3 187 lb Marek Howell has a big body. This is a solid pick, but not a spectacular selection for the Moose Jaw Warriors here.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Tristen Doyle, D, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 165 lb Tristen Doyle was ranked as high as the fourth best player in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. He can play all three zones effectively despite his size. He can get 20 assists per season and is very seasoned as an offensive defenseman.
    
    
    
    Doyle has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tristen Doyle will be a player to keep an eye on once he arrives on the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
    
    
    
18. Winnipeg Ice: Jonas Woo, D, (2025) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-9 150 lb Jonas Woo is the younger brother of Jett Woo. This pick was pretty much decided back in July when Larry Woo joined the Winnipeg Ice as an assistant head coach. There was much speculation this Summer that Winnipeg would draft Larry Woo's second of three sons in Jonas Woo. That's exactly what the Winnipeg Ice did. Jonas Woo isn't draft eligible for the NHL Draft until 2025, but he's already got 2 games of experience with the Winnipeg Ice along with a +/- ratio of 1. He was the eighteenth best overall player according to most scouts making this an ideal pick for Winnipeg at 18.
    
    
    
    Woo has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jonas Woo has a chance to really develop into a prospect that was just as good as his older brother over these next three to four years in Winnipeg.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Edmonton Oil Kings: Gavin Hodnett, C, (2024) A Grade
    
    
    Gavin Hodnett is versatile enough to play center, left wing, or right wing. He was the consensus twentieth best player in the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft. That's why this pick got an A grade instead of an A+ grade.
    
    
    
20. Everett Silvertips: Tarin Smith, D, (2024) A- Grade
    
    
    Everett is one of the best WHL teams when it comes to drafting defenseman. This team turned Ryan Murray and Mirco Mueller into first round picks. Expect the Silvertips to try to do the same with Tarin Smith.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Regina Pats: Jaxsin Vaughan, C, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Jaxsin Vaughan shares the same birthday as me. He'll also get to learn under Connor Bedard. Jaxsin Vaughan was the consensus seventeenth best player available making this easily an A+ grade.
    
    
    
22. Brandon Wheat Kings: Caleb Hadland, LW, (2024) A+ Grade
    
    
    The 5-10 170 lb Caleb Hadland was team captain of the Red Deer Rebels Under 15 AAA Team. He's also got 12 goals, 5 assists, and 17 points in 18 games with Yale Hockey Academy this season.
    
    
    
    Caleb Hadland was the consensus twenty second best player available. Hadland already has an NHL shot in terms of his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. The rest of his game needs to develop, but this is a fantastic pick here for the Brandon Wheat Kings to wrap up the first round of the 2021 WHL Bantam Draft.