The Prince Albert Raiders will have the first two picks in the WHL Prospects Draft after winning Wednesday’s draft lottery. 

The Raiders acquired the Edmonton Oil Kings’ first-round pick in the Kaiden Guhle trade last year, and that pick will go first overall. The Raiders’ own pick will go second after the team moved up from fourth by winning the lottery. 

The Swift Current Broncos will not have a first-round pick after it was traded to the Vancouver Giants at last year’s draft. That pick will go sixth overall. 

The WHL Draft will be held on May 11.

Saginaw Spirit hosting 2024 Memorial Cup

The Canadian Hockey League announced on Wednesday that the OHL's Saginaw Spirit will host next year’s Memorial Cup. It will mark the first time since 1998 that the tournament will be held in the United States.

This year’s Memorial Cup will be in Kamloops, BC, from May 25 to June 4. 

Panthers steal win in Toronto

Sam Reinhart tied it with one minute left and Brandon Montour scored the OT winner 1:41 into the extra frame as the Florida Panthers beat Toronto 3-2 to snap a four-game losing streak. 

The Panthers are a point behind Pittsburgh for the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Leafs moved six points clear of Tampa Bay for second in the Atlantic with the OT loss. 

In other NHL action, Frederick Gaudreau scored two shorthanded goals as the Minnesota Wild beat Colorado 4-2. The Wild are three points ahead of the Avalanche and Stars for the Central Division lead.

Three Canadian teams are in action tonight with Montreal hosting Florida, Ottawa welcoming Philadelphia and Edmonton hosting the LA Kings.

Happy Opening Day!

It’s Opening Day in the majors, and the Toronto Blue Jays will start the season off with a three-game set in St. Louis against the Cardinals. 

The Jays finished second in the AL East with a 92-70 record last year and were swept in the Wild Card round by the Seattle Mariners. 

Alek Manoah will be the Opening Day starter for the Jays this afternoon against Miles Mikolas.

Sacramento Kings end NBA's longest playoff drought

The Sacramento Kings clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006 with a 120-80 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. 

The 16-year drought for the Kings was the longest in NBA history and the longest active playoff drought among teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL and Major League Baseball. The New York Jets now hold the dubious honour of having the longest active playoff drought in the big four leagues, having last played a postseason game in 2010.

The Toronto Raptors will look to stay in contention for a play-in spot when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Got a local sports score or story? Send it to news@swiftcurrentonline.com or call 306-773-6397!