Chiefs win lottery, gain 1st pick in upcoming WHL draft

The Western Hockey League playoffs haven’t started yet, but the Spokane Chiefs placed a big victory in their column Wednesday.

The Chiefs won the WHL Bantam Draft lottery in Calgary, Alberta, giving Spokane the first selection in the May 7 draft.

Saskatoon had the worst record in the WHL this season, but Spokane owned the Blades’ position in the draft lottery because of a January 2013 trade involving Collin Valcourt.

The Chiefs’ only other No. 1 overall pick came in 2006, when they selected Jared Cowen. The defenseman became team captain and a vital member of the 2008 Memorial Cup championship team.

Spokane also owns the ninth overall selection in the draft. The Chiefs have held just 10 top-10 selections in draft history, most recently with Cowen.

Other notable top-10 selections include center Mitch Wahl, fourth in 2005; left wing Drayson Bowman, eighth in 2004; and center Derek Schutz, fifth in 1994.

After Spokane picks first, Lethbridge, Vancouver, Kamloops and Prince Albert have the next selections.

Two Chiefs tabbed

Chiefs 19-year-old forward Adam Helewka was named to the Western Conference’s first team while rookie Kailer Yamamoto (Mead High) earned the conference’s nomination for rookie of the year.

Helewka led the Chiefs in goals (44), points (87) and power-play goals (12), and was second in assists (43) and winning goals (five). He tied a franchise record with goals scored in nine consecutive games.

Yamamoto finished the season with 23 goals and 57 points. He ranked in the top five among WHL rookies in goals, points, assists (34), power-play goals (six) and winning goals (six).