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Prince George Cougars

Cougars Grab Six More Players from Round 5 Onward

May 5, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


Prince George, B.C. - After selecting a goaltender and two defencemen in the first three rounds of the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince George Cougars drafted forward Keegan Craik (Richmond, B.C.) in the fifth round (97th overall).

Craik stands 5'11", weighs 150 pounds and registered 16 goals, six assists and 50 penalty minutes in 25 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Wild Bantam Prep Team. He added a goal and an assist in three playoff games.

"This is a great pickup for our organization," said Prince George Cougars British Columbia scout Trevor Sprague. "Keegan plays the game with a lot of energy and physicality. He's got a nose for the net and isn't afraid to go to the tough areas to score goals. He's got loads of upside and we were very happy that he was still available to us in Round Five."

Craik was the first forward taken by the Cougars in the 2016 draft and also the first B.C.-born player selected by the Cougars.

Notable recent fifth round picks from the Cougars include: Peter Kope (2014 - 93rd Overall), Lane Zablocki (2013 - 109th Overall, and was traded for Jesse Gabrielle), and Chase Witala (2010, 89th Overall and is now the franchises all-time leading scorer).

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In Round 6 the Prince George Cougars further bolstered their forward corps with the selection of Jesse Mistelbacher (Iles Des Chenes, MB).

Mistelbacher is 5'11", 150 pounds and finished the 2015-16 season with 16 goals, 25 assists and 18 penalty minutes with the Eastman Selects (Bantam AAA Manitoba). In two playoff games he added two goals and an assist.

"He's a solid two-way player with strong offensive instincts, but he will also do anything to prevent a goal being scored against him," said Bob Simmonds. "He's thrilled to be selected by the Prince George Cougars."

Mistelbacher was the second forward selected by the Cougars and the first Manitoba-born player picked by the Cougars in 2016.

Last season the Cougars selected Reid Perepeluk in Round 6 (114th Overall).

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In the seventh round the Cougars had two picks close together and used them both on forwards. With the 142nd overall selection the Cougars were happy to select Edge Lambert (Grand Prairie, AB).

Lambert (5'10", 160 pounds) played with the Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA team in 2015-16 and had 20 goals, 24 assists and 26 penalty minutes in 38 games. In three games with the Notre Dame Hounds Midget AAA team, Lambert registered two goals and one assist.

"Cougars fans are going to love the way that Lambert competes," comments Cougars Alberta scout Lyle Feser. "He's the type of player who can break open a game offensively due to his speed and his skill. This is a great pick for us."

Lambert was the third forward picked by the Cougars and the second player taken out of Alberta.

Two picks later the Cougars drafted forward Zachary Bolton (North Vancouver, B.C.).

Bolton checks in at 6'0" and 161 pounds and tallied 34 goals and 23 assists for 57 points in 46 games and was a +23 with the North Shore Winterclub Winterhawks. In 13 playoff games he added eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.

"Bolton is a talented and responsible forward that can put the puck in the net," said Trevor Sprague. "He can be trusted in all situations and will be a big-time asset to our depth up front as we forge ahead."

Bolton was the fourth straight forward selected by the Cougars and the second from British Columbia.

Recent seventh round Cougar picks include: Liam Ryan (2015, 139th Overall) and Ryan Schoettler (2014, 137th Overall).

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In Round 9 (163rd Overall) the Cougars went back to the blueline when they selected defenceman Eric Parker (Calgary, AB).

Parker is 5'9" and 135 pounds and had a goal and 19 assists for 20 points in 35 games with the Calgary Bisons (teammates with first round pick Taylor Gauthier). In nine playoff games he added two goals and three assists. He also played one game as an underager with the Calgary Rangers (Minor Midget AAA).

"Parker is a mobile defenceman who sees the ice very well," said Bob Simmonds. "With Parker it's all about upside and we feel like he's got all of the tools to become a steady and reliable defenceman in the Western Hockey League."

Parker was the third defenceman selected by the Cougars and the third Alberta-born player added to the fold.

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With their 10th round selection (207th Overall) the Cougars drafted defenceman Francis La Roue (Surrey, B.C.).

La Roue dressed in 25 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Wild Bantam Prep team where he registered one goal and three assists along with 12 penalty minutes. He played on the same team as forward Keegan Craik who was selected by the Cougars in Round 5.

"We feel very good about grabbing La Roue in the 10th Round," adds Bob Simmonds. "He defends well, he plays the game with an edge and is another player that we had ranked much higher than where he was selected."

Recent 10th round picks include: Issac Saniga (2015 - 206th Overall), Adam Kadlec (2014 -203rd Overall) and Dennis Cholowski (200th Overall).

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