The 2020 NHL Draft is in the books after 7 rounds and 217 picks. Congratulations to all of the young men who had their dreams come true and their name called during the NHL draft. We are going to take a look at the players drafted from the CJHL.

The first player off the board from the CJHL was defenseman Michael Benning from the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL. Michael was selected 95th overall by the Florida Panthers. The Crusaders assistant captain in 2019-2020 takes the John Grisdale Award as the highest drafted player from the CJHL. Benning tallied 75 points last season with 12 goals and 63 assists in 54 games played. Michael is a NCAA D1 commit as heads to the University of Denver.

The second player to hear his name called from the CJHL is teammate to the first player selected. From the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the AJHL Carter Savoie was taken 100th overall in the NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. Carter had an outstanding season last year tallying 99 points with 53 goals and 46 assists in 54 games played for the Crusaders. The talented forward will join his teammate as a D1 Commit heading to the University of Denver.

The third CJHL player selected was also from the AJHL, defenseman Ethan Edwards of the Spruce Grove Saints was selected 120th overall by the New Jersey Devils. In his first full season with the Saints the newly drafted D-man tallied 33 points in 50 games played, 9 goals and 24 assists. Ethan is a D1 Commit heading to Michigan University.

After 3 selections in the 4th round of the NHL draft all coming out of the AJHL, there was only 1 player selected in the 5th round from the CJHL. Matteo Costantini was selected in the 5th round 131st overall by the Buffalo Sabres. A nice touch for the young forward who spent his first full season in the OJHL with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. Matteo was a leader on the team all year racking up 68 points with 36 goals and 32 assists in 50 games played. The Sabres 5th round selection is a D1 Commit and will play for the University of North Dokota for the 2021-2022 season.

The next member of a CJHL hockey club to be drafted at the 2020 NHL draft was 2 rounds later, the final of 7 rounds. From the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL forward Kienan Draper was selected 181st overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Name may sound familiar as Kienan’s dad is none other than Kris Draper, who many may remember was a longtime Detroit Red Wings player for the better part of 16 seasons. Kienan spent the last 2 seasons at St. Andrews College before making the decision to head to the BCHL for the upcoming season. Draper is a D1 commit heading to the University of Miami-Ohio.

The 6th CJHL player to be selected at the NHL Draft came once again from the AJHL as forward Alex Young from the Canmore Eagles was selected 196th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Alex spent the past 3 seasons with the Eagles in the BCHL having his best season this past year. The young ’01 forward scored 36 goals adding 46 assists for 82 points in 2019-2020. Alex is heading to Colgate University next season.

The 7th player out of the CJHL to hear his name at the NHL Draft was also a member of the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL. Forward Ethan Bowen was selected 207th overall by the Anaheim Ducks. In his second season with the Chiefs Ethan tallied 31 points in 41 games played in 2019-2020. Ethan is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2021-2022 season.

Only one goalie was selected from the CJHL in the 2020 NHL Draft and the netminder played in the CCHL. Devon Levi of the CP Canadians was selected 212th overall by the Florida Panthers. Devon had a 1.47 GAA and a .941 Save percentage in 37 games last season. The young netminder is a D1 commit heading to Northeastern University.

The 9th player from the CJHL to be selected played his rookie season in the OJHL last year. Ryan Tverberg was selected 213th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs traded up on a 2 for 1 deal to get Ryan who has played his Midget and now Junior hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. Last year he tallied 51 points in 47 games played, Ryan is committed to Harvard University for the 2021-2022 season.

A total of 6 forwards, 2 defenseman and 1 goaltender from 4 leagues under the CJHL were taken in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Published by jrhockeytalk

Junior Hockey Talk is a podcast and website featuring passionate sports host Kyle Outridge as he talks all things Junior Hockey. Junior Hockey is the home podcast for the Hamilton Kilty Bs with player highlights, game coverage, and team profiles. Outridge covers other teams and information all focused on junior hockey. You can hear the Junior Hockey Talk Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, and other popular podcast platforms.