WHL Draft: Recapping the Silvertips’ 2023 WHL Prospects Draft

EVERETT, Wash. — The Everett Silvertips added a new crop of prospects during Thursday’s WHL Prospects Draft.

• Rd. 1, 10 ovr: Brek Liske, D, Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep
  Liske, an ’08-born blueliner, becomes the first top-10 WHL Draft pick the Silvertips since their selection of Tyson Jost seventh-overall in the 2013 Draft. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Beausejour, MB native posted 10 goals and 24 assists in 26 regular season games for the Northern Alberta Xtreme. He also added 11 points in five postseason games, helping the Xtreme win the CSSHL U15 championship alongside fellow Silvertip prospect Lukas Kaplan.

Our first top-10 pick since 2013.

We're hyped for Brek Liske 🔥#ForEverett x #WHLDraft pic.twitter.com/DYQiB1NY9D

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) May 11, 2023

• Rd. 1, 20 ovr: Caine Wilke, C, Saskatoon Stallions U15 AA
  Wilke, an ’08-born Saskatoon, SK native, is selected with the 2023 first-round pick acquired from the Kamloops Blazers back on Jan. 8. He logged 28 goals with 43 assists for 71 points in 29 games played with the Stallions in 2022-23, plus 12 points in four playoff games. He also earned a brief call-up to the Saskatoon Blazers U18 squad in both the regular season and playoffs, where he played with his brother Trae as the Blazers won the SMAAAHL league title. Wilke also won the 2021-22 SAAHL U15 league title with the Saskatoon Bandits, notching 43 points in 26 games with 17 points in nine playoff appearances.

"He's a pitbull in the offensive zone. He's very competitive, fiery."

The scouting report is glowing for first-rounder Caine Wilke 👀#ForEverett x #WHLDraft pic.twitter.com/dN8RwoDtNK

— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) May 11, 2023

• Rd. 2, 32 ovr: Rhys Jamieson, LW, Calgary Bisons U15 AAA
  Jamieson, an ’08-born Calgary, AB native, was a goal-a-game player for the Bisons in 2022-23, netting 34 goals with 37 assists in 34 regular season games. He also notched seven goals with 10 assists in nine playoff games. Jamieson was a Second-Team All-Star in the AEHL last season, and was a standout for the 2023 Alberta Cup champions Team Alberta Green.
• Rd. 3, 54 ovr: Finn Werner, G, St. Albert Sabres U15 AAA
  Werner, an ’08 St. Albert, AB native, finished as both the AEHL U15 Top Goaltender and a First-Team All-Star in 2022-23. He earned a 21-1-0 record in the regular season with the Sabres with a .924 save percentage and a 2.23 goals-against average, recording two shutouts. He was equally successful in 2021-22, picking up a 15-0-1 record with a .941 save percentage and a 1.56 goals-against average with the Sabres en route to an AEHL U15 title.
• Rd. 4, 86 ovr: Lukas Lima, RW, Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep Green
  Lima, an ’08-born Langley, B.C. native, comes to the Silvertips by way of a fourth-round pick acquired from the Kamloops Blazers back on Jan. 8. Lima finished the 2022-23 campaign with 14 goals and 14 assists in 27 games played for Delta’s Green prep team. Measuring at 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, Lima brings a combination of size and skill to the Silvertips prospect pool.
• Rd. 5, 98 ovr: Wade Franks, D, Weyburn Wings U15 AA (Annugas Wings)
  Franks, an ’08-born Scout Lake, SK native, was a standout on the blueline for the Annugas Wings in the Weyburn Wings system. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound defender notched five goals with 18 assists in 28 regular season contests.
• Rd. 6, 114 ovr: Owen Cooper, C, Edge School U15 Prep
  Cooper, an ’08-born Calgary, AB native, played 22 games with Edge School’s U15 Prep squad. He recorded 14 goals and 23 assists, earning a two-game call-up to Edge’s U17 team during which he posted a goal and an assist. Cooper also scored four goals in five games for Team Alberta Red at the 2023 Alberta Cup.
• Rd. 8, 164 ovr: Luke Van Imschoot, C, Titans Hockey Union U15
  Van Imschoot, an ’08-born Stony Plain, AB native, was a proven scorer in the Titans Hockey Union U15’s first season in the JPHL. Nicknamed “Shooter,” he lived up to his name with 28 goals in 32 games. His 63 total points led his team and placed third in the league. Van Imschoot also appeared in four U18 games with Titans Hockey Union, where he collected a goal and an assist.
• Rd. 9, 186 ovr: Billal Noori, C, Calgary Hitmen
  Noori, an ’04-born Edmonton, AB native, has been picked up with the Silvertips’ ninth-round draft selection. Noori has spent 37 games spread over the last two seasons with the Calgary Hitmen. He appeared in 21 WHL games in 2022-23 where he scored three goals with three assists. His best game of the year, ironically, came against the Silvertips on Nov. 13 where he registered a goal and an assist at Angel of the Winds Arena. Prior to joining Calgary, Noori played for the Northern Alberta Xtreme in 2021.

TRANSACTIONS

• Silvertips acquire goaltender Ethan Chadwick (’04) from the Saskatoon Blades for Kamloops’ 2023 second-round pick (42nd-overall) and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Coming up…

Join the Everett Silvertips for their Select-A-Seat event for Season and Partial Ticket Holders this Saturday, May 13! Pick your new seats, tour the locker room and take advantage of big savings at the Silvertips team store! For more information on 2023-24 Season Tickets or to place your deposit, CLICK HERE.