The Prince Albert Raiders have selected Daxon Rudolph first overall and Riley Boychuk second in the 2023 WHL prospects draft. (raiderhockey.com)

By Rob Mahon

Picks Are In

Defenceman Rudolph, forward Boychuk join Raiders as first two picks in WHL draft

May 11, 2023 | 10:15 AM

In 2017, the Prince Albert Raiders held the first overall pick in the WHL prospects draft and used it to select defenseman Kaiden Guhle. In a full-circle moment, the Raiders traded Guhle to the Edmonton Oil Kings for a pick that would turn out to be first overall. They’ve used that pick on another defenseman.

On Thursday morning, the Raiders announced they selected defenceman Daxon Rudolph from the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep team with the first overall pick. Rudolph torched the scoresheet this past season, potting 50 points in 30 games played. He followed this up with five goals and 12 points in five playoff games to lead the team.

It’s been a good week for the 5-foot-11 Lacombe product. The right-shooting defenseman was named the top defenseman in the CSSHL’s U15 prep division on May 3.

Rudolph also helped steer his team to their first ever Western Championship in March of this year. Not only was he their leading playoff scorer, he scored the overtime winner in the final game of the playoffs against RHA Kelowna.

Moments after making their first pick in the draft, the Raiders were right back on the clock and this time they went to the forward ranks. Their selection was Riley Boychuk of the Airdrie Xtreme U15 AAA team.

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Boychuk, a 5-foot-10 forward, led his team and finished second in the league with 80 points in just 33 games. With 62 assists on the year, he led the league in that category and finished ten assists higher than the next closest skater. He also had 21 more points than his next closest teammate.

The awards piled up for Boychuk as well, as he was named the AEHL’s top forward, most valuable player, and playoff MVP. The Xtreme won the provincial championship.

Only one other team in WHL history has ever used both the first and second overall pick in the same draft. That team was the 2019 Winnipeg ICE, who selected Matthew Savoie first and Conor Geekie second. Both of those players have helped steer Winnipeg to the WHL finals against the Seattle Thunderbirds. In that draft, Winnipeg did not make their third selection until the fourth round. Entering the day, the Raiders had five picks available in the top-50.

Players selected in this draft are born in 2008 and are eligible to join the WHL full-time in the 2024-25 season.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP