CALGARY, Alta. ? The National Hockey League Draft wrapped up Wednesday and by the end of it, nine Canadian Junior Hockey League players had been selected.
The first CJHLer to go was Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) defenceman Michael Benning, who went in the fourth round, 95th overall, to the Florida Panthers.
With that, Benning also earned the John Grisdale Top Prospect Award, for being the first CJHL player taken in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Five picks later went his Sherwood Park teammate, left wing, Carter Savoie, who was taken by the Edmonton Oilers, 100th overall.
Both are now freshman at the University of Denver (NCHC) on NCAA scholarship.
The AJHL was once again represented with the 120th pick as the New Jersey Devils tabbed Spruce Grove Saints blueliner Ethan Edwards.
In the fifth round, former Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) standout forward Matteo Costantini was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres at 131.
Heading to the seventh and final round of the two-day event, five more CJHLers were selected, beginning with Kienan Draper who had his name called by the Detroit Red Wings out of the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) at 187.
Next to go was Alex Young of the Canmore Eagles (AJHL) as the crafty forward, who now attends Colgate of the NCAA, was taken 196th by the San Jose Sharks.
Chilliwack then had their second player of the day drafted with Ethan Bowen (207th) headed to the Anaheim Ducks.
CJHL MVP, Top Rookie and Best Goaltender honouree Devon Levi followed as the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) star saw himself picked by Florida with the 212th pick.
Wrapping up the CJHL draft selections was Ryan Tverberg of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL), who went right after Levi at 213 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nearly 50 players, who competed in the CJHL at the time of their being drafted, have been selected by NHL clubs, the past five seasons.
CJHL 2020 NHL DRAFT PICKS
ROUND OVERALL NHL TEAM PLAYER NAME POS. CJHL TEAM LEAGUE
4 95 Florida Panthers Michael Benning D Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL
4 100 Edmonton Oilers Carter Savoie F Sherwood Park Crusaders AJHL
4 120 New Jersey Devils Ethan Edwards D Spruce Grove Saints AJHL
5 131 Buffalo Sabres Matteo Costanttini F Buffalo Jr. Sabres OJHL
7 187 Detroit Red Wings Kienan Draper F Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL
7 196 San Jose Sharks Alex Young F Canmore Eagles AJHL
7 207 Anaheim Ducks Ethan Bowen F Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL
7 212 Florida Panthers Devon Levi G Carleton Place Canadians CCHL
7 213 Toronto Maple Leafs Ryan Tverberg F Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL