FOUR BCEHL PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2026 WHL PROSPECTS DRAFT

For Immediate Release
May 7, 2026

Saanichton, B.C. - The British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL) saw four players selected in the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) Prospects Draft, including U18 Okanagan Rockets forward Brayden Jugnauth, who went fourth overall to the Vancouver Giants in the first round.

Round 1

Brayden Jugnauth - Vancouver Giants (4th overall) - U18 AAA Okanagan Rockets

U18 Okanagan Rockets forward Brayden Jugnauth became the second player in BCEHL history to be selected in the first round of the WHL Prospects Draft, and the highest-drafted player in league history, when the Vancouver Giants selected him with the fourth pick of the opening round.

Jugnauth officially becomes the highest drafted BCEHL player ever as he passes former Vancouver Island Royal Ollie Josephson, who was selected with the fifth overall pick (Red Deer) in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft.

The 2011-born skater finished second among all U18 skaters with 58 points (32g-26a) in 34 games played during the 2025-26 season. In the postseason, Jugnauth led his squad to a BCEHL U18 Championship with 18 points (9g-9a) in six games played.

Jugnauth was honoured as the 2025-26 BCEHL U18 Player of the Year, and was named Best Forward at the 2026 TELUS Cup, where he totaled 11 points (6g-5a) in seven games played.

The Kelowna MHA product joins older brothers Tyson and Logan as the third member of the Jugnauth family to be drafted to the WHL as a member of the Okanagan Rockets program.

Rounds 2-15

Aidan Potash - Portland Winterhawks (38th overall) - U15 AAA Okanagan Rockets

Noah Carignan - Prince Albert Raiders (68th overall) - U15 AAA Fraser Valley Thunderbirds

Ben Edvinsson - Wenatchee Wild (169th overall) - U15 AAA Fraser Valley Thunderbirds

A huge congratulations to all of the BCEHL athletes who were selected in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft!

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