By Troy Gillard

American-born talent

Rebels select two forwards in first WHL U.S. Prospects Draft

Mar 25, 2020 | 4:07 PM

The Red Deer Rebels selected two forwards Wednesday in the first ever WHL U.S. Prospects Draft.

With the first overall pick, the Rebels selected forward Gracyn Sawchyn of the Shattuck St. Mary’s Bantam team.

Sawchyn was born in Edmonton but now resides in Victoria, Minnesota.

The five-foot-nine, 140 pound forward had 32 goals and 51 assists for 83 points in 2019-20.

With the 44^th pick in the draft, the Rebels selected forward Aidan Willis from Lakeview, Minnesota.

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Listed at five-foot-ten and 168 pounds, Willis recorded 74 points (32 goals, 42 assists) in 43 games in 2019-20 with the Lakeville South Bantam AA team. He also had 12 points in 9 games with Blue Army Selects U14 and six points in nine games with the MNBEL Sharks.

Sawchyn and Willis, who are 2005-born players, are not eligible to play full-time with the Rebels until the 2021-22 season.

Red Deer Rebels Asst. GM Shaun Sutter shared his thoughts on both players and on how the Rebels are preparing for the upcoming WHL Bantam Draft in which they currently own five of the top 50 selections. You can listen to our interview below.