Wheat Kings Duo Selected in 2026 NHL Draft

The Brandon Wheat Kings saw two of their players take the next step toward professional hockey as goaltender Filip Ruzicka and defenceman Giorgos Pantelas were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Ruzicka was the first Wheat King off the board, with the Minnesota Wild selecting the towering Czech netminder in the fifth round, 137th overall. Standing 6-foot-8, Ruzicka quickly emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects in the Western Hockey League during his rookie campaign. His combination of size, athleticism and composure in the crease drew the attention of NHL scouts throughout the season.

Later in the draft, the Los Angeles Kings selected Pantelas in the fifth round, 153rd overall. The Victoria, B.C., product established himself as one of Brandon’s top defencemen, using his size, mobility and two-way play to become a key contributor on the Wheat Kings’ blue line.

The selections continue the Wheat Kings’ long-standing tradition of developing NHL talent. Brandon has consistently produced professional players, and the selections of Ruzicka and Pantelas further reinforce the organization’s reputation as one of the WHL’s premier development programs.