Cats cash in lottery chip, will pick first overall

The Prince George Cougars are lucky lottery winners.

For the third time in their 16-year history in Prince George, the Cougars have earned the right to pick first in the Western Hockey League bantam draft.

As the last-overall team in the WHL regular season, the Cats had six balls in the barrel in Calgary, where the selection was made Wednesday, and one of those six was drawn first.

"It's a big deal to get the first pick and we're really excited about it," said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson. "I'd rather have it than be one of the other teams that has to sit and wait. Instead of guessing about what's going to happen in front of us, we'll get to make our own decision."

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