Bantam draft on Thursday
Published 10:01 am Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The bantam draft is one day away. This year it’s the 1996-born players from western Canada and the U.S. who are eligible. I’ve been told this year’s draft is lacking in can’t-miss star prospects, but is deep in solid players. These players won’t be able to play full-time in the WHL until the 2012-13 season.
Everett picks seventh overall in the first round. That’s the highest the Tips have picked since their first draft in 2003, when Everett selected third overall as an expansion team that had yet to play a game. Tips general manager Doug Soetaert said he did not know whether he’d be picking a forward or a defenseman.
After that Everett’s options are limited in the earlier rounds. The Tips traded away their second-, third- and fifth-round picks. Everett got a second rounder back at the trade deadline, but as that was Medicine Hat’s pick it’s later in the round at 40th overall.
Because the Tips don’t have third- or fifth-round picks, Soetaert expressed a willingness to trade down in the first round to help fill those gaps. He did that last year when he traded out of the first round, moving six picks back in order to add a fourth rounder. However, he also said he hasn’t come across an offer that interested him.
The draft, which is taking place in Calgary, begins at 7:30 a.m. PST tomorrow morning. The first round is being webcast live for free for the first time. Should be interesting.
For other coverage, I’ll have an ongoing thread here on the blog updating the day. The Silvertips website will be providing information on Everett’s picks. For detailed information on all the players selected the best source by far is Alan Caldwell.
See you bright an early tomorrow morning!
