Giants Draft 10 Players at 2015 WHL Bantam Draft
May 7, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release
Vancouver, B.C. - It was an eventful day at the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft for the Vancouver Giants as General Manager Scott Bonner, Director of Player Personnel Jason Ripplinger and the entire Vancouver scouting staff were busy throughout the day. The Giants drafted 10 players including three from BC, four from Saskatchewan and another three from Minnesota.
The Giants kicked off the morning by drafting hulking centreman Tyler Popowich with the third overall pick. Popowich, a Surrey native who stands at 6'4" and weighs 190 lbs, netted 25 goals and 32 assists while playing for the Okanagan Hockey Academy Bantam Prep team during the 2014/15 season.
"Tyler is a big centre with tons of upside," said Bonner. "He competes, scores and makes plays. The last big centre we had as an organization was James Wright, and that draft class of players born in 1990 was highly successful. We're excited to welcome Tyler to the hockey club."
Popowich was excited to be picked by his home town team.
"I'm excited to play for the Giants and play in the WHL," said the 15-year-old. "Going to Vancouver is special because I grew up watching the Giants."
Defenseman Kaleb Bulych was Vancouver's next selection, going in the second round with the 27th overall pick. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan native had 13 goals and 20 assists in 31 games with the Yorkton UCT Terriers Bantam AA team.
"It's unreal," said Bulych of being drafted by the Giants. "There's no other team I would rather be taken by."
"Kaleb is a big, right shot defenseman that played on the top team in Saskatchewan," said Bonner. "He's a very smart player with a lot of upside."
The G-Men went back to Yorkton for their third round pick, selecting forward Kaeden Taphorn at 47th overall. Taphorn scored 101 points (41 goals, 60 assists) in 31 games playing alongside Bulych for the Yorkton UCT Terriers.
"Kaeden is a big and strong power forward with good scoring touch," said Bonner of his third round pick. "He plays a hard, heavy game."
"It's an honour to be chosen in the WHL Draft," said Taphorn who described himself as a two-way player. "I look forward to the future."
The Giants remained in Saskatchewan for their fourth round selection, taking blue liner Alex Kannok-Leipert at 79th overall. Kannok-Leipert played for the Regina Monarchs Bantam AA team in 2014/15, tallying 16 goals and 12 assists in 29 games.
"It's a huge honour," said Kannok-Leipert. "Growing up as a kid, I've always dreamed of playing in the WHL."
The Giants didn't pick again until after the lunch break when they chose forward Devlin McCabe in the seventh round with the 135th overall pick. The Minnesota native had 46 points in 24 games while playing for St. Paul Academy.
In the eighth round, the Giants took a goaltender, selecting Humboldt, Saskatchewan's Jacob Wasserman.
Vancouver selected Port Moody forward Haydn Delorme in the ninth round. The Giants took two players in the 10th round. Vancouver drafted blue liner Jack Judson who hails from Surrey and played for the Delta Hockey Academy this season, and the Giants also nabbed Minnesota goaltender Todd Scott.
Vancouver's final pick of the day came in the 11th round when the G-Men drafted Minnesota defenseman Jack Lagerstrom.
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