Whitehorse family thrilled with Western Hockey League draft pick

Whitehorse hockey player Dylan Cozens made history when he was drafted by the Western Hockey League's Lethbridge Hurricanes this week.

Cozens has been playing for the Delta Hockey Academy this season in Delta, B.C.

His mom said the family is thrilled.

"We're super excited for him. It's another step on the way to Dylan's dream. He's worked really hard for this," said Sue Bogle.

The dream for the six-foot 15yearold is to play in the NHL.

"Isn't it everyone's?" said Dylan when asked about it.

Other Yukon players have played in the WHL, but most have been recruited as free agents.Dylan is the first drafted in the first round, Bogle said.

He won't be eligibleto play in the league until well after he turns 16 in February.

Followed draft picks while on computer at his high school

Cozens was at school in Delta on Thursday when he found out he had been selected by Lethbridge in the bantam draft. He wasfollowing iton a computer when he was picked.

Cozens wasn't surprised and even thought he might have beenchosen a bit earlier in the day. His confidence came from a tournament he played well inafter Christmas, he said.

"I definitely improved a lot in Whitehorse, and also this year in Delta really made me the player that I am," Cozens said.

He said for now he'll concentrate on improving, hoping for aWHL debut next year, and maybe, eventually, the NHL.

"Oh, I just have to train really hard, take no days off, always just focus on the goal ahead."