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 Kamloops Blazers

Blazers Select 11 Players in WHL Bantam Draft

May 5, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


Kamloops, BC - The Kamloops Blazers selected 11 players in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft in Calgary on Thursday.

In the first round, 15th overall the Blazers selected forward Massimo Rizzo from Burnaby. The 5'11" forward had 137 points in 61 games this season.

In the second round, the Blazers went to Saskatchewan to choose Connor Zary from Saskatoon. The 5'10" forward had 81 points in 30 games this season.

The Blazers selected one player in the third and fourth rounds and two players in the fifth round. After not having picks in the sixth or seventh round, the hockey club chose one player each in rounds eight, nine, 10, 11 and 12.

Among the 11 selections, the Blazers chose six forwards, four defensemen and one goaltender. Five players are from Saskatchewan, four players from B.C. and two players are from Alberta.

Here is a brief synopsis and quote from Director of Player Personnel, Matt Recchi, on each player chosen:

Player Stats - GP G A PTS PIM

1st round, 15th overall

Left Center - Massimo Rizzo

510" 165lbs

DOB - June 13, 2001

Hometown - Burnaby, BC

Team - Burnaby Winter Club 61 - 60 - 77 - 137 (11 points in 5 games at Western Canada Bantam AAA Championships)

"Massimo is a competitive and skilled player. He plays a high tempo game and is exciting to watch."

2nd round, 37th overall

Left Center - Connor Zary

6'2" 165lbs

DOB - September 25, 2001

Hometown - Saskatoon, SK

Team - Saskatoon Outlaws Bantam AA 30 - 44 - 37 - 81 - 78

"Connor is an elusive player with a lot of skill."

3rd round, 59th overall

Left Defense - Quinn Schmiemann

5'11" 165lbs

DOB - July 27, 2001

Hometown - Wilcox, SK

Team - Notre Dame Bantam AAA 38 - 8 - 14 - 22 - 16

"Quinn plays a steady two-way game."

*Brother Dominic Schmiemann (Swift Current, 1st round 2014)

4th round, 84th overall (From Seattle)

Right Defense - Jimmy Darby

6'1" 200lbs

DOB - April 12, 2001

Hometown - North Vancouver, BC

Team - North Shore Winter Club - Stats Unavailable

"Jimmy is a big and mobile defenseman that brings a physical element to the game."

5th round, 103rd overall

Left Wing - Kyrell Sopotyk

5'8" 140lbs

DOB - November 10, 2001

Hometown - Aberdeen, SK

Team - Sask Valley Vipers Bantam AA 30 - 28 - 25 - 53 - 60

"Kyrell is a hard working player that has some skill and vision."

5th round, 110th overall (From Victoria)

Left Wing - Jerzy Orchard

5'7" 130lbs

DOB - February 5, 2001

Hometown - Delisle, SK

Team - Sask Valley Vipers Bantam AA 30 - 23 - 21 - 44 - 14

"Jerzy is a small competitive forward with tremendous speed."

8th round, 169th overall

Goalie - Blake Wood

6'1" 182lbs

DOB - June 15, 2001

Hometown - Nanaimo, BC

Team - Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep Record - 9-3, GAA - 2.70, SV% -.900

"Blake is a goaltender that we saw improve all season and is in control of his game."

9th round, 191st overall

Left Defence - Matthew Ubriaco

5'11" 147lbs

DOB - January 27, 2001

Hometown - Campbell River, BC

Team - Campbell River Bantam AA - Stats Unavailable

"Matthew is a smart defenseman and moves the puck well."

10th round, 213th overall

Left Wing - Brody Green

6'1" 165lbs

DOB - February 28, 2001

Hometown - Edmonton, AB

Team - Edmonton KC Bantam AAA - 31 - 19 - 13 - 32 - 46

"Brody is a big, physical presence that has some touch around the net."

11th round, 235th overall

Right shot Center - Jagger Prosofsky

5'8" 140lbs

DOB - May 6, 2001

Hometown - Saskatoon, SK

Team - Saskatoon Outlaws Bantam AA - 29 - 21 - 14 - 35 - 79

"Jagger plays the game hard and is a good skater."

*Son of former WHLer Tyler Prosofsky (Tacoma/Kelowna 1992-1996)

12th round, 257th overall

Right Defence - Nicksha Eric

6'1" 165lbs

DOB - September 23, 2001

Hometown - Fort McMurray, AB

Team - Fort Saskatchewan Rangers Bantam AAA - 36 - 2 - 11 - 13 - 70

"Nicksha is a big defenseman that moves well and showed improvement all year."


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