B.C. teen makes history as 1st female skater drafted to the Canadian Hockey League

Chloe Primerano, 15, has made history as the first female skater ever drafted to the Canadian Hockey League.

The defender, who hails from North Vancouver, was drafted 268th overall in the 13th round of the 2022 Western Hockey League (WHL) prospects draft.

The WHL, along with the Ontario and Quebec Junior Leagues, make up the Canadian Hockey League — the highest level of junior hockey in the country.

While there have been appearances by female goaltenders in the Canadian league, Primerano is the only female skater to be drafted to a team.

"I was just shocked," said Primerano, speaking Friday on The Early Edition.

With the 268th-overall selection in the 2022 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHLDraft</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/WHLGiants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHLGiants</a> select Chloe Primerano of <a href="https://twitter.com/BWCAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BWCAcademy</a>. <br><br>Congratulations to Chloe, the first woman skater chosen in any <a href="https://twitter.com/CHLHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CHLHockey</a> selection draft! <a href="https://t.co/HdFZrlIWRA">pic.twitter.com/HdFZrlIWRA</a>

The British Columbian teen played last season with the Burnaby Winter Club's under-15 program, notching two goals and 17 assists. She has been on skates, she said, since she was three years old.

Now she says she is thrilled to be an inspiration to little girls in rinks all over Canada.

"It takes a lot of sacrifices to get up early, stay up late, just put in the extra work, but it's going to be all worth it," Primerano said.

Vancouver Giants general manager Barclay Parneta said the team is happy to add the strong player to its roster.

"Chloe's play this season in the top