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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Chiefs Select Twelve Players in Bantam Draft

May 1, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


The Spokane Chiefs selected 12 players in 11 rounds in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft including first round pick Mitch Holmbert from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Holmberg scored 45 goals and 71 points in 33 games with the Sherwood Park Kings in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League this past season.

The Chiefs also selected three players off local clubs, defenseman Tanner Mort from Post Falls and Spokane's Jesse Collins and Mitchell Fowler.

"I believe we drafted a lot of guys we wanted in spots we didn't think we'd get them in," Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Chris Moulton said. "Going in, we wanted to identify and draft players what were skilled, smart and had a high compete level and I think we accomplished that."

"Mitch is a very well rounded player," Moulton said about Holmberg. "He's a goal scorer whose best attribute is his hands, but that's not the limit to his game. He is a very good hockey player. He scores important goals, very good around the net and played on a winning team and a good program."

The Sherwood Park Kings won the Alberta Provincial Championship and the Western Canadian Championship this past season. Holmberg was second in the league in scoring during the post season with 14 goals and 21 points in 12 games and was selected as the co-Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year in the AMBHL's North Division.

Brady Brassart, a 5'10" forward from the North Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver, BC was taken with Spokane's second round pick, 43rd overall. "Brady is a real competitor," Moulton said. "He will take the puck to the net and is an honest, two way forward."

"When we identified the local kids it wasn't on our agenda to pick them because they were from Spokane, but we wanted to draft them on their own merits," Moulton said.

Mort, the highest drafted local player by the Chiefs, was taken in the fourth round. The defenseman appeared in 14 games for the Coeur d'Alene Lakers this past season and registered 10 points and 12 penalty minutes.

"Tanner missed half the season with an injury but when he returned he played very well against older competition. He is a good rushing defenseman who finish his checks and is strong on his skates," Moulton said. "We feel real fortunate to Tanner with our organization."

Brassart was one of three players from the North Vancouver taken by Spokane, including his North Shore Winter Club teammate Michael Aviani in the firth round. "Michael is a kid who always seems to be around the net and likes to be involved in the play."

The Chiefs then took 6'3" center Eric Kerluck four picks later, 109th overall. "Obviously, he has great size and has good puck skills and the tools to be an impact player."

Two Manitoba based players, Brendan Edie, a "confident and poised goaltender who will stay focused and make important saves in key situations", and Matthew Lorange, "a puck moving defenseman who has a ton of smarts and heart", were nabbed with a pair of seventh round picks. Edie was the lone goaltender selected by Spokane.

Saskatchewan skaters were taken with one eighth round pick in right winger Lane Rey and two ninth round picks in defensemen Drew Burko and Brett Blatz. Rey is a 6'0" right winger from Wolseley who "plays hard, loves to hit and has improved throughout the season," Moulton said.

"Burko is a big body who will create time and space and plays with a high level of compete," Moulton said about the 6'3" defenseman.

"Blatz is a strong skater and will make a good first pass coming out of his own zone."

Spokane wrapped up the draft with the selections of Collins and Fowler, teammates on the Spokane Bantam AA club.

"I like the fact that Collins is consistent, smart and will make great plays. Mitchell has a good understanding and feel for the game which makes him a threat whenever he is on the ice."

Spokane's original third round pick was sent to Medicine Hat at the trade deadline for defenseman Trevor Glass.

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