A local hockey player was selected in the first round of the annual bantam draft for the major junior Western Hockey League.

Dylan Cozens of Whitehorse was drafted Thursday 19th overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

A cursory review of records shows Cozens may be the first Yukoner ever to be drafted in the first round.

Even Jarrett Dueling of Whitehorse was not drafted. Dueling went on to win two Memorial Cups with the Kamloops Blazers in the mid-1990s.

Cozens was a shining star in the ranks of Whitehorse minor hockey and the Mustang program.

He played this season in the Lower Mainland for the Delta Hockey Academy.

WHL spokesman Corey St. Laurent said as a 15-year-old, Cozens is not eligible to be on the Hurricanes regular roster next season.

He will, however, be eligible to play all the pre-season games for the major junior A club, and can be called up to play a maximum of five regular season games, he said.

St. Laurent said once Cozens finishes next season with his regular club, he would be eligible as a 16-year-old to play the remainder of the season with the Hurricanes as well as the playoffs.

As a first round pick, it’s quite likely Cozens will see action next fall in Lethbridge’s pre-season, St. Laurent said.

The Hurricanes won the central division of the WHL this year for the first time since 1997, with a record of 46 wins, 24 losses, and one overtime loss.

Dustin Forbes, manager of communications for the Hurricanes who’s also the club’s play-by-play voice, said today Lethbridge pays attention to the bantam draft.

“The fans are very excited about the acquisition and drafting of Dylan Cozens,” Forbes said.

“Obviously he had a good year with the Delta Hockey Academy.

“There is usually a good buzz around the draft and the players we take.”

St. Laurent pointed out former WHL players include the likes of Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith, Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and former Calgary Flames great Jarome Iginla, to name but a few.