WHL

Rebels select Gracyn Sawchyn with the first ever pick in the WHL U.S. Prospects Draft

 

In a first for the WHL, the Red Deer Rebels selected first overall in the U.S. Prospects Draft. With their selection, the Rebels took 2005-born Gracyn Sawchyn of the Shattuck St. Mary’s program in Minnesota. He is listed as 5-foot-8, 130 pounds.

Gracyn Sawchyn – Hickling Images

Technically Sawchyn is a resident of the United States as his hometown is Minneapolis, despite his birth certificate saying he was born in Edmonton, Alberta.

Over the last two seasons, Sawchyn played for the MNHP U14 Lakers of the Minnesota High School Performance league and the Shattuck St. Mary’s program in the Bantam age group.

In 2018-19 he played 16 games with MNHP U14 Lakers and was the third-highest scorer on his team with eight goals and 10 assists.

Last season he played for Shattuck St. Mary’s Bantam T1 and scored 32 times and added 51 assists in 54 games. This was good for second in team scoring.