WHL Tri-City Americans

Americans Take 14 in Busy 2009 WHL Bantam Draft

Published on April 30, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - It was a long, busy day for Tri-City Americans General Manager/Governor Bob Tory and his scouting staff at the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, held at the Sutton Place Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta.

After a trade with the Prince George Cougars gave them the 7th overall pick, Tri-City selected center Connor Rankin with their first-round pick. The 6'0 185 lb forward collected 26 goals, 45 points and 54 penalty minutes in 47 games for the AAA Bantam North Shore Winter Hawks.

Later, Tri-City made center Marcus Messier of the Notre Dame Hounds its second round selection (41st overall). Messier, the younger brother of current Americans' forward Jordan Messier, is listed at 5'8, 128 pounds and hails from Canmore, Alberta. Messier appeared in 17 games this season, collecting 21 goals and 52 points while leading Notre Dame to a 23-1-2 regular season record and the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League Championship.

"Although we tried to get the best players available at the time of our picks, we were still focused on skill and speed" Tory detailed. "As a playoff team, opportunities don't come often to upgrade into the top-10, so when we got the chance, we took it. We feel we got one of the premier players in the draft and are very excited."

But, the draft was not the only news coming out of Edmonton, as Tory continued to prepare for the 2009-10 season by completing two player trades. The first sent 20-year-old defenseman Mitch McColm to the Chilliwack Bruins in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2011 Bantam Draft. Tory then dealt 17-year-old forward Jason Gardiner to the Regina Pats in exchange for 19-year-old forward Neal Prokop.

"The (McColm) trade was necessary due to our overage situation and we were not prepared to go into next season with three 20-year-old defensemen," explained Tory. "This was a difficult move as Mitch has really developed into a bona fide WHL player while with the club. We wish him all the best with the Bruins and thank him for his tremendous contributions to this team."

"We felt that we were overloaded at the ‘91 age range and wanted to get an older, more experienced player. This trade gives (Gardiner) a chance at a fresh start." Tory continued. "Neal adds depth to our '90 age group, along with (Kruise) Reddick. We see Prokop as a player who can step in right away."

Complete results of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft can be viewed at www.whl.ca by clicking on the WHL Bantam Draft icon on the left side of the homepage to get the results.

Tri-City Americans 2009 Bantam Draft Results:

(GP, G, A, PTS, PIM)

1st round (7th overall), center/left wing Connor Rankin, 6'0 185 lbs, North Vancouver, BC, North Shore Winter Club Bantam (47/26/19/45/54)

2nd round (41st overall), center/right wing Marcus Messier, 5'9 140 lbs, Canmore, AB, Notre Dame Hounds Bantam (17/21/31/52/14)

3rd round (63rd overall), right defenseman Riley Guenther, 5'11 155 lbs, Calgary, AB, Calgary North Stars Bantam (32/4/14/18/50)

4th round (80th overall), goaltender Chris Driedger, 6'2 160 lbs, Winnipeg, MB, Winnipeg Monarchs Bantam (18, 1.71/14-3-0)

4th round (85th overall), left wing/center Wyatt Garagan, 5'11 160 lbs, Estevan, SK, Estevan Bruins Bantam (25/25/24/49/49)

5th round (102nd overall), right defenseman Justin Hamonic, 6'1 160 lbs, Winnipeg, MB, Winnipeg Monarchs Bantam (29/0/11/11/10)

5th round (107th overall), right defenseman Tyler Kunz, 5'9 150 lbs, Whitecourt, AB, Spruce Grove Bantam (33/4/8/12/37)

6th round (129th overall), left wing Joel Steve, 5'11 145lbs, Milestone, SK, Weyburn Red Wings Bantam (22/10/16/26/10)

7th round (151st overall), left defenseman Matt Lloyd, 6'0 165 lbs, Aldergrove, BC, Aldergrove Bantam (No stats available)

8th round (173rd overall), right wing/center Dylan Fluter, 5'8 135 lbs, Saskatoon, SK, Saskatoon Frostbite Bantam (51/18/25/43/38)

9th round (195th overall), left defenseman Justin Klimek, 6'0 170 lbs, Langley, BC, Langley Eagles Bantam (24/0/6/6/NA)

10th round (217th overall), center Brandon Halbgewachs, 5'9 160 lbs, Emerald Park, SK Balgonie Bantam (26/29/33/62/38)

11th round (239th overall), right wing Matthew Hughesman, 5'11 175 lbs, Winnipeg, MB, Winnipeg Sharks Bantam (30/5/11/16/30)

12th round (261st overall), left wing/center Zane Schartz, 5'8 155 lbs, Plano, TX, Chicago Bantam

Check out the Tri-City Americans Statistics

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