The WHL held its bantam draft Thursday. This year’s draft distributed players born in 2003 among the WHL’s 22 teams. Here’s Everett’s selections, along with their position, height, weight, hometown and 2017-18 stats:
Round 2 (42nd overall): Olen Zellweger, D, 5-6.5, 140, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, 10 goals and 22 assists in 30 games with OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep.
Round 3 (64th overall): Ty Gibson, D, 5-7, 165, Victoria, B.C., eight goals and 16 assists in 30 games with Pacific Coast Hockey Academy Bantam Prep.
Round 4 (86th overall): Carter Halamandaris, F, 5-10, 144, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, 34 goals and 25 assists in 30 games with Winnipeg Monarchs B1AAA.
Round 7 (140th overall): Davis Fry, F, 6-2, 160, Regina, Saskatchewan, 36 goals and 40 assists in 31 games with Regina Monarchs BAA.
Round 7 (145th overall): Sloan Stanick, F, 5-8, 143, Rapid City, Manitoba, 28 goals and 31 assists in 36 games with Yellowhead Chiefs B1AAA.
Round 7 (152nd overall): Nate Goodbrandson, F, 6-0, 154, St. Andrews, Manitoba, 31 goals and 46 assists in 34 games with Winnipeg Hawks B1AAA.
Round 8 (174th overall): Holden Cardinal, F 5-3, 125, Surrey, B.C., 17 goals and 16 assists in 30 games with Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Prep Green.
Round 9 (196th overall): Connor McGrath, F, 5-5, 105, Leroy, Saskatchewan, 22 goals and 31 assists in 31 games with Humboldt Broncos BAA.
Round 11 (211th overall): Brent Johnson, D, 5-9, 140, Dallas, Texas, seven goals and four assists in 12 games with Dallas Stars Elite 14U.
Round 12 (214th overall): Braden Holt, G, 5-10, 135, Bozeman, Montana, 3-2 with a 3.30 goals against average and .852 save percentage in six games with Detroit Victory Honda 14U.
Round 13 (215th overall): Ean Somoza, F, n/a, n/a, Los Angeles, California, 21 goals and 18 assists in 45 games with Los Angeles Jr. Kings 14U.
Some quick observations:
– Everett used its first two picks on smaller defensemen who I suspect are puck movers. Then the Tips essentially spammed forwards the rest of the way. Overall Everett selected 11 players — seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. By province it breaks down as three from Manitoba, two from B.C. and Saskatchewan, one from Alberta, and Everett’s last three picks were all Americans.
– Everett also picked up some forwards who are tiny. I’m guessing these are players with some skill who the Tips are hoping grow — and hope are receptive to playing in the WHL rather than heading to the NCAA.
– Ninth-round selection Connor McGrath, being from Humboldt, no doubt was affected by the tragic bus crash suffered by the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos.
– Everett was the last team to pass, being one of two teams to select in the 12th round and the only team to pick in the 13th.
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