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WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Draft Speed in 2015 Bantam Draft

May 7, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


Tri-City Americans Draftee Forward Carson Focht
Tri-City Americans Draftee Forward Carson Focht
(Tri-City Americans)

KENNEWICK, WA - The Tri-City Americans today made forward Carson Focht (Fok) their first pick (7th overall) in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, held at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary, AB. Overall, the Americans selected 10 players in this year's draft.

Focht, listed at 6'0 and 152 pounds, became the third straight forward taken by Tri-City in the first round after posting league-high numbers in his bantam year. The Regina, SK native played this season with the Notre Dame Hounds of the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League, appearing in 38 games and led the league with 39 goals and 70 points.

"He has a relentless, never die work ethic attitude combined with a high skill set," Americans' Head Scout Barclay Parneta said.

In the second round, the Americans selected forward Paycen Bjorklund from the Grande Prairie Storm. The 5'9, 159 pound center ranked ninth in AMBHL scoring with 37 goals and 55 points in 23 games played. The Americans chose defenseman Seth Bafaro from the Okanagan Hockey Academy with the 49th overall pick in the third round. Bafaro, a 5'10, 160 pound native of Revelstoke, B.C., played in 55 games for OHA, scoring eight goals and 20 points.

Tri-City then selected as follows: D-Liam Belcourt (4 Rd., 71st overall), D-Brenden Saether (4 Rd., 73rd overall), F-Keltie Jeri-Leon (5 Rd., 93rd overall), F-Jack Barnes (5 Rd., 104th overall), F-Ryan O'Reilly (5 Rd., 109th overall), F-Jaxon Nelson (7 Rd., 137th overall), and F-Keegan Rowland (8 Rd., 159th) respectively.

Of the 10 players selected today, the Americans grabbed seven forwards and three defensemen. Tri-City also selected three players from the United States (Barnes, O'Reilly and Nelson), which marks the seventh straight season that the club has drafted at least one U.S. born player. Tri-City drafted three players from British Columbia, three from Alberta, and one from Saskatchewan.

The WHL Bantam Draft is the WHL's talent identification process and serves as the first opportunity for WHL teams to add players to their respective 50 player lists. Eligible players for the Bantam Draft were 2000-born players who reside in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Notes: First round pick Carson Focht is related to former Tri-City American and NHL player Dan Focht. Third round pick Seth Bafaro's dad, Mike Bafaro, played for the New Westminster Bruins before the team became the Tri-City Americans. Fifth round pick Jack Barnes is the son of Americans alum and current owner, Stu Barnes. Fifth round pick Ryan O'Reilly is the younger brother of current Americans' defenseman Brendan O'Reilly.

Tri-City Americans 2015 Bantam Draft Results:

1st Round (7th overall)

Carson Focht (F)

6'0 152 lbs., Regina, SK

Notre Dame Hounds (38-GP, 39-G, 31-A, 70-PTS, 66-PIM)

2nd round (25th overall)

Paycen Bjorklund (F)

5'9 159 lbs., Grand Prairie AB

Grande Prairie Storm (23-GP, 37-G, 18-A, 55-PTS, 12-PIM)

3rd round (49th overall)

Seth Bafaro (D)

5'10 160 lbs., Revelstoke, B.C.

Okanagan Hockey Academy (55-GP, 8-G, 20-A, 28-PTS, 70-PIM)

4th round (71st overall)

Liam Belcourt (D)

6'2 188 lbs., Sherwood Park, AB

Sherwood Park Flyers (48-GP, 2-G, 12-A, 14-PTS, 36-PIM)

4th round (73rd overall)

Brenden Saether (D)

6'3 186 lbs., Abbotsford, B.C.

Abbotsford Hawks (52-GP, 2-G, 15-A, 17-PTS, 92-PIM)

5th round (93rd overall)

Keltie Jeri-Leon (F)

5'11 175 lbs., West Kelowna, B.C.

Okanagan Hockey Academy (50-GP, 25-G, 25-A, 50-PTS, 26-PIM)

5th round (104th overall)

Jack Barnes (F)

5'9 161 lbs., Plano, TX

Dallas Stars EHC (N/A)

5th round (109th overall)

Ryan O'Reilly (F)

6'0 175 lbs., Southlake, TX

Dallas Stars EHC (N/A)

7th round (137th overall)

Jaxon Nelson (F)

6'1 160 lbs., Magnolia, MN

Luverne HS (25-GP, 41-G, 42-A, 83-PTS, 20-PIM)

8th round (159th overall)

Keegan Rowland (F)

6'3 165 lbs., Lloydminster, AB

Lloydminster Blazers AA (32-GP, 28-G, 31-A, 59-PTS, 48-PIM)

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Tri-City Americans Draftee Forward Carson Focht
Tri-City Americans Draftee Forward Carson Focht
   



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