EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips received their first commitment from the 2015 bantam draft as the team announced Thursday it has signed third-round pick Bryce Kindopp to a Western Hockey League education contract.

Kindopp, a forward from Lloydminster, Alberta, was Everett’s second pick in the draft, as the Tips did not have a second-round choice. The 5-foot-11, 148-pounder had 26 goals and 37 assists in 33 games with the Alberta Heat last season, helping the Heat win the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League championship.

“Bryce is a player who impressed our scouts all last season, and we felt very fortunate to get him with our second pick in the draft …,” Everett general manager Garry Davidson said in a press release. “He’s a solid two-way forward who plays a good 200-foot game. It’s also worth noting that he comes from a winning program and played an important role on a championship team last year.”

Kindopp is not eligible to play full-time with the Tips until the 2015-16 season.

Kindopp was a teammate and is good friends with Everett’s first-round pick, defenseman Jantzen Leslie. Leslie has yet to sign with the Tips.

Check out Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog at http://www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog, and follow him on Twitter at NickHPatterson.