WHL Calgary Hitmen

Hitmen Select 11 Players in 2014 WHL Bantam Draft

Published on May 1, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club selected 11 players today in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, including seven forwards, three defencemen and one goaltender.

The Hitmen selected 15-year-old centre Mark Kastelic with their first pick, 41st overall, followed by 1999-born forward Matt Dorsey in the third round, 63rd overall.

"We had both of those players ranked side by side in the first round and were fortunate that they were available during our second and third-round selections," commented Dan Bonar, Hitmen Director of Player Personnel.

"Mark is a big, strong centreman who plays a physical game, can score and dominates in the small areas," said Bonar. "To have the opportunity to build our future at the centre position with this type of player is a significant plus. Mark also has hockey bloodlines as his father played in both the OHL and NHL."

"Matt is an extremely skilled forward and exceptional skater. His hands and scoring ability were among the best in the draft," continued Bonar. "His compete level is also terrific and he has a passion to excel and succeed. It will be exciting to watch both Matt and Mark develop in the U.S. program next season."

Of the 11 players selected, the Hitmen drafted one local product, forward Markus Boguslavsky, 68th overall. Boguslavsky played 32 games with the AMBHL's AAA Calgary Flames during the 2013-14 season, scoring a team-leading 34 goals and adding 21 assists for 55 points over that span.

"Markus exudes leadership, character and the will to win," said Bonar. "He was voted MVP of his team this season and portrays all of the traits we are looking for in a Hitmen player."

Calgary Hitmen 2014 WHL Bantam Draft Selections

Rnd O/A Player Pos Ht Wt Hometown Team

2 41 Mark Kastelic C 6'0" 164 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Junior Coyotes (Tier 1 Bantam AAA)

3 63 Matt Dorsey C 6'0" 155 Wenatchee, WA Arizona Bobcats (Tier 1 Bantam AAA)

4 68 Markus Boguslavsky RW 5'11" 172 Calgary, AB Calgary Flames Bantam AAA (AMBHL)

4 79 Troy Dudley D 5'10" 150 Edmonton, AB CAC Canadians Bantam AAA (AMBHL)

4 83 Brett Didyk RW 5'11" 170 Burnaby, BC Burnaby Winter Club Bantam A1-T1 (PCBHL)

5 95 Lucas Cullen C 5'6" 145 Kelowna, BC Kelowna Jr. Rockets Bantam T1 (WCBAAA)

6 129 Bronson Kelly D 6'0" 152 East Selkirk, MB Winnipeg Hawks (WBAAA)

7 151 Brett Stapley C 5'7" 140 N. Vancouver, BC North Shore WC Bantam A1-T1 (PCBHL)

8 173 Murphy Stratton RW 6'1" 156 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Junior Kings (Tier 1 Bantam AAA)

9 195 Landon Markovich D 5'9" 170 Prince Albert, SK Prince Albert Raiders (SBAAHL)

10 217 Philip Couture G 6'0" 160 Edmonton, AB SSAC Lions Bantam AAA (AMBHL)

For a complete list of the 2014 bantam draft selections, visit www.whl.ca.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2014


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