It was a busy first round in the bantam draft for Everett.
It began with the Tips making a significant trade. Everett traded the seventh-overall pick, 1994-born winger Jari Erricson and a conditional fourth-round pick to Prince George in exchange for the 11th-overall pick, a third-round pick (57th overall) and the rights to 1994-born forward Jujhar Khaira. The Tips then selected defenseman Kevin Davis 11th overall.
First, the players involved in the deal. Erricson spent two seasons with the Tips. He had a promising rookie season with seven goals and seven assists in 60 games. However, he seemed to stall a bit last season, tallying six goals and 13 assists in 69 games. This trade means Erricson is going home as he is from Prince George, and I’m sure the Cougars are hoping the return home will serve as a spark.
As for Khaira, he’s an intriguing pick-up. Khaira, from Surrey, B.C., is big (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) and put up big-time points (29 goals, 50 assists in 54 games) playing in the BCHL for the Prince George Spruce Kings. He was 74th in the NHL Central Scouting Service’s final rankings for the upcoming NHL draft. However, he’s also committed to Michigan Tech. That said, I can’t imagine the Tips make this deal as comprised if they don’t have at least some confidence they can land Khaira.
The Tips then went with defense with their first-round pick. The 6-foot, 150-pound Davis played for the Kamloops Jardine Blazers last season, notching 15 goals, 31 assists and 15 penalty minutes in 49 games. He’s described as a puck mover, and puck-moving d-men is exactly what Everett needs in its system. Down the road Davis should be a good complement to last year’s top picks, forwards Ty Mappin and Dawson Leedahl.
Seattle selected forward Matt Barzal first overall, as expected. Barzal was considered the consensus top prospect in the draft, receiving comparisons to former No. 1 overall pick — in both the bantam draft and the NHL draft — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Also, Ryan Murray’s younger brother, Troy, was selected 10th overall by Kootenay.
I’ve got an appointment today, meaning I won’t be providing up-to-the-moment updates on each of Everett’s picks. For those seeking to follow along with the draft, you can do so at the WHL website. For more detailed information, Alan Caldwell’s blog is the best source. Also, the Silvertips website should provide additional info on Everett’s picks. I’ll have a wrap-up post this evening after the draft is over and I’ve done some interviews.
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