West is Best

The Western Hockey League's franchises and league executives consider the WHL to be the best hockey development league in the world. At the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver, the elite amateur league validated the claim, leading all leagues, associations and development programs with 28 WHL players selected by NHL teams.
Hockey fans can expect more of the same at the virtual 2020 NHL Draft, hearing names of WHL players during Tuesday's first round and Wednesday's Rounds 2 to 7. The league looks to be represented early on, with first-round prospects like defensemen Kaiden Guhle of the Prince Albert Raiders and Braden Schneider of the Brandon Wheat Kings. Portland Winterhawks forward Seth Jarvis, highly rated for his speed and hockey sense, is in the Tuesday opening-round mix too.

Jarvis won't be the only name familiar to Puget Sound hockey fans as the WHL's U.S. Division features four teams in Washington State and one in Oregon. Four of the teams are expecting to have players drafted while the rebuilding Tri-City Americans will likely have to wait until next summer to have one of their young guys selected.
Here is a look at the local players to watch for as the 2020 NHL Draft progresses (starting in order of best record):

PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS

Seth Jarvis, center: 42 goals, 56 assists for 98 points in 58 games
Thanks to an explosive season with the Winterhawks last season, Jarvis jumped from a second- or third-round prospect to top-15 potential. His 98 points ranked second in the WHL scoring race and the Winnipeg product is one of the more entertaining players in the league. "He really elevated his game this season," an NHL scout says of Jarvis. "He's a dynamic scorer with the ability to make plays at top speed." Jarvis thrived in Portland's transition game and constantly puts pressure on the defense by being able to make quick plays and get shots off the rush.
Cross Hanas, left wing: 22 goals, 27 assists for 49 points in 60 games
Hanas is from suburban Dallas. He is one of the more creative scorers in the WHL. He twice notched highlight-reel, lacrosse-style goals this past season. Rival coaches say he is proven as a dangerous player in the offensive zone, even behind the net. He projects to be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Simon Knak, right wing: 9 goals, 25 assists for 34 points in 49 games
One of Portland's two international players, Knak is a solid two-way forward. He's responsible in his own end, sees the ice well-something scouts love-and is a playmaker. He represented his native Switzerland at last January's World Junior Championships and could be selected in the third round.
Jonas Brondberg, defenseman: 9 goals, 13 assists for 22 points in 50 games
Another import, Brondberg is from Denmark and adjusted nicely to playing in the smaller North American rinks. He was fifth in WHL rookie scoring last season and led all rookie defensemen in goals. He is ranked in a range that could translate to a pick in the fourth or fifth round.
Robbie Fromm-Delorme, right wing: 10 goals, 26 assists for 36 points in 55 games
Playing behind high-end talent on a deep Portland roster, Fromm-Delorme doubled his point production last season. He's got good size - listed at 6-foot-1 and 177 pounds - and goes to the net hard. Fromm-Delorme figures to be a late-round prospect.

EVERETT SILVERTIPS

Kasper Puutio, defenseman: 5 goals, 23 assists for 28 points in 56 games
Everett picked up the Finnish defenseman at the WHL's trade deadline and he was a big part of their stretch run. A mainstay on the Silvertips top power-play unit, Puutio is one the top passers in the WHL. He sees open space and sets up teammates with precise deliveries. He'll be off the board in the second or third round Wednesday.
Ronan Seeley, defenseman: 3 goals, 29 assists for 32 points in 63 games
Seeley is another solid defensive prospect to develop with the Silvertips - three of their defensemen last season have signed NHL contracts - and he should be drafted before the fourth round is over. He's played behind more experienced D-men and managed to be productive. This season, he'll be in Everett's top pairing and is targeting a big year.
Gage Goncalves, center: 33 goals, 38 assists for 71 points in 60 games
A study in perseverance, Goncalves was not selected in the WHL Bantam Draft (that slots younger players into the WHL) but that didn't stop him and now he will be an NHL Draft pick - likely tabbed in the third or fourth round. The 6-foot-1 center is in his second year of draft eligibility and exploded for 33 goals last season after just scoring once as a rookie and going undrafted.
Michal Gut, center: 13 goals, 23 assists for 36 points in 51 games
The Czech import got stronger as the season progressed to become a key driver in Everett's top-six forward group. He is a possession player and helped drive the Silvertips attack. He is in the later round mix.

SPOKANE CHIEFS

Jack Finley, center: 19 goals, 38 assists for 57 points in 61 games
The first thing that jumps out about Finley is his size. He's 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. That makes him attractive to the NHL, a league that currently loves big centers. Finley uses his size in front of the net and is strong on neutralizing opponents physical play and controlling the puck. He should have a bigger role in the Chiefs offense next season and scouts say he has a shot of being a third-round pick on the Draft's second day.
Bear Hughes, center: 16 goals, 31 assists for 47 points in 61 games
Joining the Chiefs from his hometown of Post Falls, ID, Hughes made an instant impression by scoring four times with six points in this first five WHL games. Most likely a late-round pick but one that could end up being a steal. And you have to love his hockey-appropriate name.
Luke Toporowski, left wing: 29 goals, 31 assists for 60 points in 62 games
A consistent scorer, Toporowski has topped the 20-goal mark in each of his last two seasons with the Chiefs. He's projected as a late-round pick; don't be surprised if an NHL team takes a shot at him.

SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS

Simon Kubicek, defenseman: 7 goals, 20 assists for 27 points in 52 games
His big slap shot from the point will be attractive to NHL teams. The Czech import had a strong showing at the World Juniors for his home country last winter. Kubicek has a physical edge and is not afraid to throw a hit. Look for him to be drafted in the fourth-round range.
Tyrel Bauer, defenseman: 3 goals, 14 assists for 17 points in 60 games
Bauer has NHL size, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 206 pounds, and he knows how to use it. He's not a high-scoring defenseman but is a throwback of sorts. He defends in his own end and can be a physical presence on the ice. "Bauer is an old-school defender," an NHL scout says. "He can retrieve the puck and has a good first pass. He's the type of glue player every team needs."
Matthew Rempe, center: 12 goals, 19 assists for 31 points in 47 games
This 6-foot-8 center burst on the scene as a rookie for the Thunderbirds this past year and played himself into draft consideration. He has the size, reach, skill and can skate. He's put on muscle this summer and will become a physical threat.
Blake Lyda, goalie: 4.67 goals-against average and .876 save percentage in 18 games
Playing behind an older, veteran goalie, as a rookie, Lyda didn't play much last season and his numbers don't reflect how good he can be. Central Scouting noticed and ranked him on the North American goalie list. Will he get drafted? It's uncertain.

Other local prospects in the WHL

Lukas Svejkovsky, right wing: 18 goals, 20 assists for 38 points in 52 games
The Point Roberts, WA, native was traded from the Vancouver Giants to the Medicine Hat Tigers last year and caught the attention of NHL scouts. He's a slick skater who has offensive skill and should hear his name called in the mid- to late rounds on day two.