Bobcats Go for Size in Busy 2016 Draft
Published on June 7, 2016 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Bismarck Bobcats News Release
FRISCO, TX - The Bismarck Bobcats went big in the 2016 NAHL Entry Draft, selecting 11 players six feet tall or larger to complete their 30-man protected list for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
In all, the Bobcats picked 12 players from across the globe, the highest total of selections the team has had since 2010-the first Draft that head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie presided over after taking the reins.
"When we look at our draft board and the players we were targeting, we are very pleased with the guys we were able to pick [Tuesday]," stated Sedevie, who has now managed seven drafts for the Bobcats. "We definitely got a lot bigger, as a team, but also added a lot of skill and work ethic."
Draft day started with yet more trade intrigue for the Bobcats, who selected forward Pavel Mikhasenok with their first-round selection, then immediately dealt Mikhasenok to the Minnesota Wilderness for their second-round pick (#34 overall) and a 2017 tender agreement.
Following the swap with Minnesota, the Bobcats used all 12 of their otherwise-scheduled picks, taking eight forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender:
RD PICK PLAYER POS HT WT Y.O.B. LAST TEAM
2 34 Horka Sekesi F 6'0" 174 1997 EC Bad Tolz U19
2 45 Aaron Grounds F 6'2" 170 1999 Team Wisconsin U16
3 52 Brendan Bushy D 6'2" 214 1998 Thief River Falls (MN) HS
4 89 Noah Bormann D 6'2" 220 1997 Green Bay Jr. Gamblers U18
4 93 Nick Ness F 6'2" 194 1998 Rocky Mountain Roughriders 18U
6 141 Kevin Ness F 6'2" 176 1999 Rocky Mountain Roughriders 16U
7 165 Martin Liljekvist D 6'6" 216 1997 MODO Hockey J20
8 189 Ashton Altmann F 6'1" 161 1998 Duluth East (MN) HS
9 213 Cooper Haar F 6'3" 207 1999 Anaheim Jr. Ducks 16U
10 237 Conner Linton F 6'1" 172 1999 Dallas Stars U16
11 261 Luke Millen F 5'7" 165 1998 Colorado Rampage U18
12 285 Robbie Beydoun G 6'0" 183 1996 Fargo Force
The Bobcats' Draft has a number of family connections: Nick and Kevin Ness are brothers from Broomfield, Colo.; Bushy is the cousin of recent Bobcat alum Aaron Herdt (2014-16); Sekesi is the younger brother of Bobcat alum Huba (2013-14).
Sekesi (Germany) and Liljeqvist (Sweden) were the only import players selected and, with Tobias Fladeby (Norway) returning from the 2015-16 team, the Bobcats still have one import slot available for the upcoming campaign.
Now the Bobcats turn their attention to 2016 Main Camp, scheduled for July 22-24 at the VFW Sports Center.
Season tickets are now on sale for the Bobcats' landmark platinum anniversary campaign: fans can get more information or reserve their seats for all of Season Twenty now by calling 222-3300.
North American Hockey League Stories from June 7, 2016
- Brahmas Add Ten Via Draft - Lone Star Brahmas
- Amarillo Bulls Select 8 in NAHL Draft - Amarillo Bulls
- Tomahawks Select 16 players in NAHL Draft - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Jets Add Four in 2016 NAHL Entry Draft - Janesville Jets
- Bobcats Go for Size in Busy 2016 Draft - Bismarck Bobcats
- McMahan Taken as Rebels Top Draft Pick - Philadelphia Rebels
- IceRays Select Eight Players in 2016 NAHL Draft - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Titans Draft Defense in First Round - New Jersey Titans
- Draft Day is Here - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Draft Day Flashback - Topeka Pilots
- Tomahawks Tender Chris Trouba - Johnstown Tomahawks
- Titans Prepare for 2016 NAHL Draft - New Jersey Titans
- NAHL Draft to be Held Today - NAHL
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