WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes

Hurricanes Select Merkley In First Round Of The 2010 WHL Bantam Draft

April 29, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release


Lethbridge, AB - Lethbridge Hurricanes Assistant General Manager Brad Robson was very proud to announce this morning that the Lethbridge Hurricanes have selected Jay (Johnathon) Merkley from the Calgary Bisons of the AMBHL with their first selection ? 3rd overall in the first round of the 2010 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

 

Merkley is a 5'10, 160 pound center who tallied 30 goals and 41 assists for 71 points and 32 PIMs in 33 games for the Bisons; good enough for fifth in scoring Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 09-10. Merkley was integral in the Bisons capturing of the 2010 Provincial and League Championships, while collecting individual accolades as the winner of the AMBHL South Division Scoring title, South Division Forward Award and the South Division Most Valuable Player Award. He then followed that up with an impressive weekend, at the Alberta Cup in leading all forwards in scoring.

 

"Jay is a tremendous skater with good speed and acceleration combined with very good goal scoring ability, great hands and stick skills" said Robson adding "He has the potential to be a franchise player for us in the future and while his accolades speak for themselves, we also know him as a leader and character individual who was an important part of a winning program in Calgary."

    

 

  

 

In the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, the Canes selected forward Riley Bennefield with their first selection ? 33rd overall in the second round. This year's pick was the Hurricanes first lottery pick since selecting Alex Theriau in 2007 with the 6th pick overall and it marks the Canes first ever selection in the top 3 of the WHL Draft. Other notable Hurricanes first selections include: Carter Ashton (7th overall in 2006); Dwight King (4th overall in 2004); Ben Wright (25th overall in 2003) and Brent Seabrook (8th overall in 2000).

 

The Lethbridge Hurricanes, as the result of deals made this season currently hold their own selections, 3rd in the first and second round, as well as Regina's second round selection (5th in the second round ? 27th overall) and Tri City's second round selection (19th in the second round ? 41st overall) giving Lethbridge a total of four selections in the top 41 picks.

 

The 2010 WHL Bantam Draft kicked off Thursday morning (April 29th, 2010) at 8:30 AM MT from the Fantasyland Hotel and Conference Centre in Edmonton, AB. The 2010 WHL Bantam Draft is the first step in the identification of the top rated 1995-born prospects as WHL Clubs select players from this age group to add to their WHL Player Protected List. The

Prince George Cougars, by virtue of their winning the 2010 Draft Lottery held the first overall selection and used it to select highly touted prospect Alex Forsberg, who's brother Jesse is already on the Cougars roster.

 

The 21st Annual WHL Bantam Draft will be posted live on www.whl.ca.  Click on the WHL Bantam Draft icon on the www.whl.ca homepage or through the link at lethbridgehurricanes.com for real time results.

 

Media should take note that Hurricanes Assistant GM Brad Robson as well as Hurricanes General Manager and Head Coach Rich Preston will be available for comment periodically during draft day. Any media requesting interviews should contact Ryan Ohashi, Communications and Events at: (403) 317-9596 or by email at rohashi@lethbridgehurricanes.com

 

Hurricanes 2010 WHL Bantam Draft Summary of picks:

1st round (3rd overall) ? Jay (Johnathon) Merkley

   5?10?, 160 lbs. - Calgary, AB

Bantam Club: Calgary Bisons? AMBHL

                    B/D: May 27/95

2nd round (25th overall) ?

2nd round (27th overall from Regina) ?

2nd round (41st overall from Tri City) ?

3rd round (69th overall) ? Traded to Regina

4th round (91st overall) ?

5th round (113th overall) ? Traded to Regina

5th round (125th overall from Kootenay) ?

6th round (135th overall) ? Traded to Kelowna

7th round (157th overall) ? Traded to Kootenay

8th round (179th overall) ?

9th round (201st overall) ?

10th round (223rd overall) ?

11th round (245th overall) ?

12th round (267th overall) ?

Check out the Lethbridge Hurricanes Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2010


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