WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Bantam Draft On Tap Today

Published on May 2, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Calgary, AB. -- When Brandon Wheat Kings general manager Kelly McCrimmon goes to the podium this morning to announce the fourth overall selection in the 2013 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, it will respresent the hockey club's first top five pick since 2000 and its earliest in twenty years.

Thirteen years ago Brandon used the fifth overall pick to grab Winkler phenom Eric Fehr.

This year's pick in fact, will be Brandon's highest since 1993 when they opted for future captain Darren Van Oene with the second overall selection.

McCrimmon says it's a good year to have two first round picks.

"There's a group of players...at the top of the draft that I feel are going to be tremendous Western League players," he told RobHenderson of the Brandon Sun earlier this week. "I think there's a case to be made that any one of those top players could be a number one pick in any given draft year when you look back over previous drafts."

The Vancouver Giants have the first overall pick and are expected to opt for Edmonton scoring machine Tyler Benson, who shattered the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League's scoring record with 146 points in 33 games this past season.

Among the other top end talent are defenceman Kale Clague of the Lloydminster Heat, who is coming off a record breaking season of his own that saw him score 77 points in 33 games, Sam Steel of Sherwood Park, Alberta and Winnipeg's Nolan Patrick, who happens to be the son of former Wheat King Steve Patrick.

Among the other Manitobans expected to hear their names called include Brett Howden, Liam Schioler, Dylan Thiessen and local product Tanner Kaspick.

In addition to the fourth overall pick, the Wheat Kings have the 17th and 25th overall selections. Brandon acquired the 17th overall pick from the Saskatoon Blades in the Michael Ferland trade. In fact, Brandon has five of the first 59 picks Thursday.

The Regina Pats will have the second selection, followed by Prince George at number three. Moose Jaw (5th) and Lethbridge round out the top six.

The WHL Bantam Draft is the first opportunity for WHL Clubs to replenish their systems with graduating Bantam-aged players. The order of selection for the first round of the draft is determined through a weighted lottery consisting of the six non-playoff teams. The draft order is based on the inverse overall standings from the regular season. WHL fans can watch the first round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft live online via Webcast. Updates on all other rounds will be available by following the Wheat Kings on twitter or Facebook and online at www.wheatkings.com. The Draft begins at 9:30AM CST.

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