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WHL Vancouver Giants

Giants Select a Goaltender, a Forward and a Defenceman with Next Three Picks

May 3, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Vancouver Giants News Release


Vancouver, B.C. - In the third round of the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, Vancouver Giants General Manager Glen Hanlon selected goaltender Drew Sim (Tees, AB) 46th overall and forward Justin Lies (56th overall) followed by defenceman Nicco Camazzola (Burnaby, BC) in the fourth round (78th Overall)

Sim is 6'2" and 190 pounds and played with the OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep program and helped guide them to a league championship. In 16 regular season games Sim posted a record of 13-0-1 with a 2.05 goals-against-average, a .920 save percentage and three shutouts. He was 4-0 in the playoffs with a 1.00 goals-against-average and a .966 save percentage. He played on Team Central at the Alberta Cup and helped them win the tournament championship.

"I was super excited when I heard the news that I was drafted to the Giants," said Sim who's currently in Philadelphia competing in the 2018 U15 World Selects tournament. "I'm a big goalie and I like to use my athleticism to be mobile and to be square to the shooters coming in on me."

"Drew Sim's compete level is off the charts," adds Giants General Manager, Glen Hanlon. "He's a proven winner who rose to the occasion numerous times throughout his season. He's a big-game goaltender that we're happy to add to our franchise."

10 picks later the Giants snagged forward Justin Lies (Flin Flon MB).

Lies is 6'0", 176 pounds and put up terrific offensive numbers with the Norman Wolves Bantam AAA team in the Winnipeg Bantam AAA division. In 35 games he scored 39 goals and added 23 assists for 62 points along with 62 penalty minutes. 13 of his 39 goals came via the power play.

"I've been working towards this for a long time, and It's great to see it all pay off today," said Lies. "I tried to focus on coming to the rink prepared to play well in each game. I'd say my skating and my shot are my two best attributes."

Giants Director of Scouting Dan Bonar adds, "Justin a natural goal scorer who competes hard and skates exceptionally well. He adds a strong element of character and skill to our organization."

Previous third round picks for the Giants include: Krz Plummer (F - 2017), John Little (F - 2017), Kaeden Taphorn (F - 2015) and Max Gildon (D - 2014).

With the 78th overall pick in Round 4, the Giants selected their first defenceman and first BC-born player when they grabbed Burnaby native Nicco Camazzola.

At 6'1", 179 pounds, Camazzola, a left-handed shot suited up in 30 games with the Burnaby Winter Club Bantam Prep program. He notched two goals and eight assists for 10 points along with 54 penalty minutes. In four additional playoff games he registered 10 penalty minutes.

"Nicco competes hard, has a strong skill-set and plays a strong two-way game that should translate well at the next level," said Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner. "He's a steady skater with a strong shot and has loads of upside moving forward."

The Giants most recent fourth-round pick was Alex Kannok Leipert in 2015.

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2018


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