Rick Kupchuk - Surrey North Delta Leader

The Vancouver Canucks looked down the I-5 for their fifth round pick in Saturday's National Hockey League Entry Draft, selecting Surrey's Prab Rai 131st overall.

Rai, 18, has played three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL), scoring 20 goals and 65 points this past year with the Seattle Thunderbirds.

A six-foot, 191-pound left winger, Rai began his WHL career in 2005-06 with the Prince George Cougars. He was traded to Seattle midway through the 2006-07 season.

"It hard to explain how I feel right now,” said Rai. “It's something every hockey player works for and to be able to receive a reward like this is a great feeling. I know this is just the start but I am excited to be a part of the Canucks organization."

Rai is expected to attend training camp with the Canucks in September, but will likely spend one more season playing major junior hockey in Seattle before turning pro.

“Prab has NHL quality skills and already skates at that level,” said Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell. “He showed great improvement last year and needs to continue to see himself at that level and continue to assume a bigger and bigger role on our team as he prepares for a professional career.”