The 2026 GWMHL Rookie Draft took place this afternoon, and it started with a bang: two blockbuster trades featuring high-scoring wingers. In the first, Charleston sent Kyle Connor, along with Philipp Grubauer and a 2027 3rd, to Great Lakes for Barrett Hayton, 1sts in 2026 (used to draft Brady Martin) and 2027, and a 2027 4th. The second deal saw Vancouver trade away yet another star, sending Martin Necas to West Virginia for 1sts in 2026 (Berkly Catton) and 2027 as well as a 2026 2nd (Theo Lindstein). Great Lakes would later acquire Anze Kopitar from Salem for a 2027 3rd, while Boston swapped Akira Schmid with Portland for Brett Pesce.
To no one’s susprise, defenseman Matthew Schaefer went first overall to the Hamilton Ti-Cats, while Pittsburgh took winger Beckett Sennecke second and Vancouver drafting centre Michael Misa 3rd. Porter Martone (Boston) and Alexander Nikishin (Denver) rounded out the top five. The first goalie went at #12 (Jacob Fowler to Winnipeg).
Full results are available here.
Gump Worsley Memorial Hockey League 