Four Jr. Sharks Players Selected in 2020 WHL U.S. Prospect Draft

SAN JOSE, CA - The
San Jose Sharks Jr. Sharks
(

"We are both proud of and happy for the players who were recognized during the Western Hockey League Draft," said Director of Jr. Sharks Curtis Brown. "It is great to see players from Northern California be able to find opportunities for success close to where they grew up and wear the hometown teal throughout their development process."
With the second overall pick in the draft, the
Tri-City Americans
(

) selected forward Shaun Rios. In 54 Bantam games this season, Rios tallied 72 points (43 goals, 29 assists) and 108 penalty minutes. He registered 77 goals, 56 assists and 133 points in 98 career Bantam games played over two seasons. Rios, a San Jose, CA native, is five-foot-nine, 145 pounds, and was born on November 12, 2005. The Americans are one of five WHL teams that play in the United States.
Defenseman Philippe Blais-Savoie, five-foot-ten and 150 pounds, was selected seventh overall by the
Vancouver Giants
(

). Blais-Savoie was born on June 10, 2005 and hails from San Jose, CA. In 77 career Bantam games, Blais-Savoie scored 31 goals, 33 assists, and 95 penalty minutes, including 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in the 2019-20 season.
In the second round, the
Calgary Hitmen
(

) selected blueliner Briggs Orr at 34th overall. Orr tallied 102 penalty minutes, five goals, and nine assists in 54 Bantam games in 2019-20. In 99 Bantam games over the last two seasons, he registered nine goals, 24 assists, and 148 penalty minutes. The five-foot-nine, 152-pound defenseman was born on March 28, 2005 and is from El Dorado Hills, CA.
The Tri-City Americans selected their second Jr. Shark member, forward Ben Picard, with the 43rd overall pick. Picard has played in 98 career Bantam games and scored 52 points (33 goals, 19 assists). In 2019-20, he registered 10 goals and seven assists. Picard, from Oakland, CA, is six-foot, 165 pounds, and was born on January 21, 2005.
Established in 2000, the Jr. Sharks program boasts 28 teams comprised of boys and girls hockey. The program boasts two previous USA Hockey National Championships; 2017 Girls 19uAA and the 2011 Girls 12uAA.
NHL players who participated in the Jr. Sharks program and its predecessor program include Alec Martinez (Los Angeles Kings/Vegas Golden Knights), Brett Sutter (Calgary Flames/Carolina Hurricanes/Minnesota Wild), Casey Wellman (Minnesota Wild/Washington Capitals), Matt Tennyson (San Jose Sharks/Carolina Hurricanes/Buffalo Sabres/New Jersey Devils), Viktor Tikhonov (Arizona Coyotes/Chicago Blackhawks), Stefan Matteau (New Jersey Devils/Montreal Canadiens/Vegas Golden Knights/Columbus Blue Jackets).