We now know officially which picks Everett has in Thursday’s bantam draft.

Everett has a distinct lack of premium picks. The Tips traded away their first rounder in the deal for Nikita Scherbak — and considering Scherbak helped Everett win its first U.S. Division title and first playoff series since 2007 I’m sure they think it was worth it. But as a result the Tips’ pick at 40th overall is Everett’s only selection among the first 61.

But the Tips then get to splurge. Everett has two fourth rounders, two fifth rounders and three sixth rounders. So beginning at 62 the Tips pick at:

6267

79

88

106

117

120

129

(Note, the pick numbers on the WHL website don’t take into account Portland’s forfeited first rounder as the result of league-imposed sanctions.)

That’s basically one in every 10 picks during that stretch, so Everett will have plenty of chances to strike gold in the middle rounds.

Indeed, this may have been the right year to be without a first rounder. This year’s draft is generally considered average at best, and there isn’t thought to be a lot of sure-fire first-round types. So it’s not likely the Tips would have had a sure-thing star at 19th overall anyway.

Everett general manager Garry Davidson said he wasn’t targeting any particular position in the draft, and I believe him when he says that. However, it looks like just about all of Everett’s best prospects from last year’s draft, with the exception of first rounder Jantzen Leslie, are forwards. So there may be more organizational need on defense and in goal.

The Tips also shopped heavily in the U.S. last year, with eight of their franchise-record 15 picks being Americans. Everett finally got one of its American draft picks to sign when Colorado’s Brian King signed in April. With the possibility of superstar prospect Auston Matthews from Arizona joining the Tips, as well as several other American draft picks attending training camp last year, one has to think the Tips will take their share of Americans again this year.