Signs of it getting closer. Trade deadline and mock drafts
Mid Season WHL Mock Draft - DraftGeek
You can see this is not a strong year for 04's I mean very few Def will go in 1st and 2nd round. The CSSHL Bantam is not as strong as the past 3 years. You have 1 Very good player (F) 04 then it drops off quickly. 7 Def went in the top 22last year.
This year looking at the DG Mock Draft 3 or 4 maybe. If you want to see a better look, for your son . if he a forward or Def,goalie. Look who the team draft in the past 2 drafts and who signed. If a team drafted and signed 3 goalies in the past 2 years, most likely they will take a goalie after round 6. 02 was not a great year, Not like the 97/98 year. 05 will be a good year.
You will see alot of trades by this time next year with overagers.
If a team signed 4 or 5 Def draft picks in the past 2 years, same applies. They will go for Forwards.
They will grab a Def, but after 6th round. Also the location of the city does make a difference, mostly on the East side of the WHL. Even thou it was a good draft in 18 for USA players, very few drafted and less will sign with Eastern WHL teams.
Players will start getting calls and emails ( questions) more after St Albert. But each team has a list of players, They will go to St Albert and have 2 or 3 Scouts watch their list. Good luck in 2019 and keep your options open. Have your kids practice answering questions. Teams are looking the moment they get off the bus to the time they get back on.