Character, Speed, and Vision Highlight Bruins Draft Selections

May 1, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Chilliwack Bruins News Release

Chilliwack BC - The 2008 WHL Bantam Draft was held in Calgary today, allowing Western Hockey League franchises to stock their teams for the future with 1993 born players from throughout Western Canada and the Western United States. The Chilliwack Bruins are taking part in their 3rd Draft in franchise history, and are looking to add quality players to their squad of the future to compliment recent draft picks Ryan Howse (2006 - First Round), Scott Ramsay (2006 - Fourth Round) and Kevin Sundher (2007 - First Round).

Garry Pochipinski, the Bruins Director of Scouting, led the Bruins into this year's draft and is excited by the player's that the Bruins have been able to pick up. ‘I am excited by the amount of speed and vision that we have acquired in this draft, ‘ comments Pochipinski. ‘To be able to have skills at this level is one thing, to be able to do it at top speed is an immeasurable asset for the Bruins. Eight of these players are also current captains of their respective teams, which also bodes well for the leadership of our club in the future. I look forward to seeing our draftees in our training camp in August and then joining us in the future to be key pieces to our franchise.'

Pochipinski is also quick to hand off accolades to others involved. ‘I cannot thank our scouting staff enough for the countless hours that they have spent scouring rinks to help us make our decisions. Our GM Darrell May is our leader of the Bruins and I appreciate his guidance throughout the season leading to this exciting day for our franchise.'

The Chilliwack Bruins have selected defenseman Mitch Topping with their first round selection (8th overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. Topping, a Red Deer AB native, played last season as the captain of the Red Deer Rebels of the Alberta Bantam Minor Hockey League. The 6'1 165 pound rearguard posted 14 goals and 26 assists to go with 100 penalty minutes in 33 games.

'Mitch is an outstanding skater with tremendous vision, he reads the play very well and has a great shot,' comments Pochipinski. 'We believe that Mitch is a complete player both on and off the ice and look forward to seeing him patrol the Bruins blueline in the future.'

Here is a complete list of players selected by the Bruins today..., please visit our website www.chilliwackbruins.com for updated info on these players as it becomes available.

1st Round - 8th overall

Mitch Topping

Defence

Hometown: Red Deer, AB

Date of Birth: February 19th, 2003

Height: 6'1

Weight: 165

GP G A PTS PIM

06-07: Red Deer Chiefs (AMBHL AAA bantam) 32 7 13 20 35

06-07: Red Deer Chiefs - Playoffs 5 3 3 6 4

07-08: Red Deer Rebels White (AMBHL AAA bantam) 33 14 26 40 100

07-08: Red Deer Rebels White - Playoffs 3 4 1 5 4

07-08: Central Thrashers (Alberta Cup) 5 3 1 4 34

2nd Round - 28th overall

Cole Holowenko

Goaltender

Hometown - Penticton, BC

Date of Birth - January 5th, 1993

Height: 6'2

Weight: 185

3rd Round - 51st overall

Tim Traber

Right Wing

Hometown: Quesnel, BC

Date of Birth: January 26th, 1993

Height: 6'0

Weight: 165

4th Round - 73rd overall

Brent Wold

Center

Hometown: Lac Du Bonnet, MB

Date of Birth: February 10th, 1993

Height: 5'10

Weight: 145

GP G A P PIM

07/08: Pinawa Northern Knights Bantam AA 41 63 37 100 44

5th Round - 95th Overall

Kale Derkson

Defence

Hometown: Regina, SK

Date of Birth: January 22, 1993

Height: 5'6

Weight: 157

GP G A PTS PIM

07-08: Regina Oilers - SSMHL AA Bantam 25 6 11 17 50

07-08: Regina Avalanche - SSMHL AA Midget 2 0 0 0 2

6th Round - 117th Overall

Derek Falloon

Right Wing

Hometown: Russell, MB

February 2nd, 1993

Height: 5'7

Weight: 141

7th Round - 135th Overall

Marcus Houck

Center

Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

Date of Birth: April 4th, 1993

7th Round - 139th Overall

Shay Folden

Center

Hometown: St.Brieux, SK

Date of Birth: March 3, 1993

8th Round - 161st Overall

Brett Weitzel

Defence

Hometown: St. Albert AB

DOB: 5/18/93

8th Round - 173rd Overall

Curtis Houlden

Defence

Hometown: Winnipeg, MB

DOB: 1/22/93

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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