The Kamloops Blazers added a pair of prospects to the organization at this morning’s 2024 WHL US Priority Draft.

Kamloops used their first-round pick, sixth overall, to select Eli Tverdovsky, son of former NHL defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky.

The 14-year-old forward is from Los Angeles, but played this past season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s U15 prep team in Penticton, where he scored 20 goals and added 16 assists in 27 games.

The Blazers also added a goalie in the draft, taking Huntington Beach product Kaeden Tate with their second-round pick, 23rd overall.

Tate, who will turn 15 a week before Tverdovsky in October, posted a .911 save percentage in 34 games with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks U14 program this past season.

Today’s draft was just an appetizer ahead of the main course, as the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft will be held on Thursday.

Barring trade movement, Kamloops will make its first selection at 22nd overall.

The club has five other picks in the first three rounds, as the Blazers currently own the 26th, 44th, 46th, 62nd, 65th and 66th selections.