Esquimalt teen among 6 from Vancouver Island taken in 2026 WHL Prospects Draft
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Countless afternoons playing roller hockey against older competition at the Esquimalt lacrosse box laid the foundation for Mazen Green to hear his name called in the Western Hockey League (WHL) draft on May 7.
The 15-year-old credits those early days of training and competing against older players for his development.
“I trained there almost every day, all the time,” Green said. “They were super nice and kind to let me play with them.”
That foundation reached its next level when the Kamloops Blazers selected the Esquimalt product 45th overall.
“I was just super happy to get drafted by such a great organization,” Green said, noting he was sitting in class watching the draft board online when his name appeared. “I was just pretty surprised.”
Held virtually on May 6-7, this year marked the first time the WHL placed all eligible players into a single pool by combining its Prospects Draft with the U.S. Priority Draft.
His father, Jeremy, said the Blazers showed strong interest leading into the draft, speaking at length with Green’s agent, James Haddad, the day before selections began.
“They really think he can contribute to the team and they’re really high up on him,” Jeremy said. “They actually buy into his style of play. They’re not just picking randomly. They picked him for his style, which gives us a little bit of peace of mind.”
Green describes himself as a two-way forward who competes hard and makes plays. Naturally, like many young players looking up to the best in the business, he told Victoria News he models parts of his game after Sidney Crosby and Macklin Celebrini.
He spent the past season with Delta Hockey Academy, recording 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points in 30 games. Green said travelling and sharing the draft experience with his teammates was a massive highlight, with nine other Delta players selected.
“Overall, I had a great year,” Mazen said. “It was really fun getting to travel around the (CSSHL), visiting different rinks, and bonding with my teammates.
Prior to his time with Delta, Green played one season with Langford’s Pacific Coast Hockey Academy.
Green was one of several local prospects taken in the draft.
Malone Mann, a 6’6” defenceman from Victoria who plays for Pacific Coast Hockey Academy, went 167th overall to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Theodore Kim, also from Victoria, was selected 177th overall by the Calgary Hitmen.
Across Vancouver Island, Nanaimo’s Ronan Gow was selected 50th overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Duncan product John Main went 61st overall to the Tri-City Americans, and Port Alberni’s Jace Zemanek was taken 250th overall by the Penticton Vees.
The Victoria Royals were also active throughout the draft, selecting eight players after trading away the fifth and seventh overall picks in separate deals.
Their top selection was forward Kristian Lima, taken 28th overall after tallying 51 points in 30 games with Burnaby Winter Club this past season. Victoria also selected Jaxson Weisgerber, Brody Trost, Madden Rome, Renner Andersen, Charlie Usher, Peyton Malinski and Kason Kobelka.
Green admits he grew up a Royals fan, even skating with the team during warmup when he was around seven years old.
“I went to lots of games and watched them quite a bit,” Mazen said. “I hope to get to play there one day. It would be an awesome moment for my family.”
Several of those mentioned above – Green, Gow, Main, Zemanek and Lima – will attend the Team BC Men’s Program of Excellence camp from July 23-26 in Chilliwack. The camp features 76 players vying for a spot at the 2027 Canada Games in Quebec City.
Between now and then, Green said his focus is simple.
“Just trying to get all my skills better and get stronger and bigger,” he said.
And according to his dad, hard work may be his best characteristic.
“He just loves the game, he works so hard,” Jeremy said. “We are really proud to see him get drafted. It shows that hard work can do wonders. He is a dedicated kid.”
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