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Capitals, Blue Jackets Draft Lethbridge Players; Tickets On Sale

6/28/2026

50 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Logan Stuart Drafted

Logan Stuart of Lethbridge was drafted 208th overall by the Washington Capitals in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Filip Novak was selected 206th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring 35 points in 28 games for HC Sparta Praha U20.
Season tickets for the 2026-2027 (40th anniversary) season are on sale until July 2, 5:00 pm, with $250 seats available at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

Summary

Tyus Sparks Drafted

Capitals traded pick No. 112 and a 2028 fifth-rounder to Columbus, moved up to No. 101 and selected Tyus Sparks, the highest-selected Idaho-born player.
Sparks, whose father Nate Sparks played quarterback at Boise State and later for the B.C. Lions, could be only the third Idaho native to reach the NHL.
Sparks said his favorite NHL player was Patrice Bergeron.
Sparks models his game after Utah Mammoth winger Dylan Guenther.

History

Historical Context

After the NHL-WHA merger forced the league to lower the draft age and hold a 126-player entry draft on August 9 1979, the four former WHA clubs entered at the bottom of the order, expanding the league to 21 teams. That restructuring opened scouting to new regions, a trend the Capitals continue in 2026 by trading up to select Idaho native Tyus Sparks.

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Logan Stuart Drafted

Logan Stuart of Lethbridge was drafted 208th overall by the Washington Capitals in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Filip Novak was selected 206th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring 35 points in 28 games for HC Sparta Praha U20.
Season tickets for the 2026-2027 (40th anniversary) season are on sale until July 2, 5:00 pm, with $250 seats available at www.visitlethbridgearena.ca.

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