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Giants get ‘prime’ delivery with selection of Chloe Primerano

Written by Giancarlo Nadeau on

The Vancouver Giants made history in the playoffs becoming the first eighth-seeded team to take down the first-seeded team in round 1 of the post-season and with the selection of Chloe Primerano it appears that the Giants plan to continue making history won’t be coming to an end anytime soon. Vancouver had many selections in this year’s draft, but none have created more buzz than the team’s decision to draft Primerano.

Giants co-owner Michael Buble and the WHL website are to thank in regards to informing the most recent player that Vancouver drafted, Chloe Primerano, that she was chosen by her hometown team. Vancouver chose Primerano in the 13th round and 267th overall with their final pick in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Shocked is one word to describe her feelings when she found out that Vancouver had made the decision to select her in the draft. “I couldn’t really believe that it was true,” she said.

Primerano is a 2007-born defender from North Vancouver, B.C. and is the first female skater to ever be drafted by a CHL team in the Canadian Hockey League Prospects Draft. The Canadian Hockey League is composed of the WHL (Western Hockey League), OHL (Ontario Hockey League), and QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League).

Manon Rhéaume made history on September 23, 1992, when she became the first woman to play in a major professional hockey game in the QMJHL. Rheaume suited up for Trois-Rivieres during the 1991-1992 season and had stints in the ECHL in the following years with the Knoxville Cherokees and Nashville Knights (1993-94), and the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (1994-95), three teams that no longer exist. In 1992, Rhéaume signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL, appearing in preseason exhibition games in 1992 and 1993. Two other females have since appeared in games in the Quebec Major Junior League. In March, 2022 goaltender Eve Gascon started a game for the Gatineau Olympiques. Prior to that in 1999-2001, goaltender Charline Labonte appeared in 28 games for Acadie-Bathurst.

Another goaltender made history in the CHL in 2021 when Taya Currie became the first female drafted to the Ontario Hockey League when she was selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 14th round (267th overall). In 2002, Shannon Szabados made history when she became the first female to appear in a Western Hockey League regular season game. She took the ice on September 22nd. 2002 for the Tri-City Americans. Primerano, Vancouver Giants, is the only female skater to be drafted in the CHL draft.

Listed at 5-foot-8 and 135 pounds, Primerano played minor hockey with the North Shore Winter Club before moving over to the Burnaby Winter club in bantam.

“Chloe’s play this season in the top U15 league in Canada made her fully deserving of this selection today,” said Vancouver Giants General Manager, Barclay Parneta. Primerano heard her name called after an impressive season with the Burnaby Winter Club’s U15 program where she managed two goals and 17 assists for 19 points in 30 games. Nine of her 17 assists came from the power play. She also added two assists in three playoff games. “It was a great year, we had a lot of great kids on our team,” proclaims Primerano. Chloe states that making the Burnaby Winter Club U15 program has been one of her greatest achievements as it allowed her to play against some of the best players in her age group.

Chloe is also quick to credit her family for all of the support they have shown her on and off of the ice. Chloe has number eight on her jersey and credits her Dad for choosing it. “My Dad picked it for me when I was younger in the first year when we got to pick numbers.” Chloe’s family has certainly had an impact in her hockey journey.

She began playing hockey as a forward, but didn’t think that she was very good so she decided to move to the back end. Primerano describes herself as a two-way defender. “I can go up in the rush and go in the offensive zone, but when it comes time to play ‘shut down’ I can do that as well.” Chloe’s favourite player is Duncan Keith and Keith is a player that she tries to model certain aspects of her own game after. Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are great skaters and play an offensive-minded game which Chlore admires, as well.

“The Vancouver Giants are happy to recognize her strong play by drafting her to the Western Hockey League,” exclaimed Parneta. Primerano was the final player chosen by Vancouver in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft.

A busy off-season awaits for Chloe who plans to “keep working hard and keep pushing through” as WHL training camp slowly approaches in the fall. Like everyone drafted on Thursday, Primerano would only be eligible to play five games next season in the WHL. This year’s draft class can become full-time players in the 2023-24 campaign.