Alex Cotton was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings (Lethbridge Hurricanes on Twitter @WHLHurricanes)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge Hurricane Alex Cotton selected in NHL Draft

Oct 8, 2020 | 7:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A prominent member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes has been drafted to the NHL.

Defenseman Alex Cotton was selected 132^nd in the fifth round of the 2020 draft on Wednesday. Cotton was picked by the Detroit Red Wings.

The 19-year-old from Langley, B.C. led all WHL blueliners in points during the 2019-2020 season, with 67. He also finished second in goals scored by a defenseman in the league with 20.

Cotton became only the second Hurricanes defenseman to reach the 20-goal mark in a single season last year.

“I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am right now,” Cotton stated on Twitter.

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Cotton has appeared in 122 regular season games with the ‘Canes, racking up 78 points (22 goals and 56 assists), along with a plus-29 rating and 74 penalty minutes.

He became the third Hurricanes drafted by the Red Wings. Logan Koopmans was selected with the 166^th pick in the fifth round in 2002 and Jamie Pushor was picked 32^nd overall (2^nd round) in 1991.

The 2020 NHL Draft was the fourth straight with at least one Hurricanes player selected and the sixth time in the last seven drafts.

Overall, 29 WHL players were drafted, including 18 forwards, nine defenseman and two goaltenders.

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