WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes

Hurricanes Select Watson In 5th Round Of 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 Hurricanes have selected Jamal Watson with their sixth selection in the 5th round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Watson is a 5'10, 145 lbs. forward from Calgary, AB who tallied 23 goals, 28 assists for 51 points in 31 games with the Calgary Bronks.

"Jamal is a very hard working player on and of the ice" said Robson "He is very dedicated and focused and has shown a lot of improvement because of his hard work in his skating and skills. He can play both centre and right wing and brings with him very good stick skills and hands with overall good vision."

The Hurricanes day started with the selection of 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."

The Canes followed that up by selecting centre Craig Leverton with the 3rd pick (25th overall), defenseman Macoy Erkamps with the 5th pick (27th overall) and defenseman Joel Topping with the 19th pick (41st overall) in the second round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.

Leverton is a 5'10, 170 pound power forward from Warman, SK who tallied and impressive 47 goals, 43 assists for 90 points and 140 PIMs in just 22 games with Warman of the Centre Four Hockey League.

"Craig is a big, strong, gritty power forward, think along the lines of a Brendan Morrow" sais Robson "He uses his strength and size to get to the net and score big goals. When you need that big goal he is the type of player who you want with the puck on his stick because he will get it to the net."

Erkamps is a 5'10, 175 pound right handed defenseman from Ladner, BC who was a standout for the South Delta AAA Bantams with 10 goals, 26 assists and 54 PIMs in 63 games. Topping is a 6'1, 175 pound offensive d-man from Red Deer, AB who scored 47 points (15 goals, 32 assists) and 90 PIMs in 33 games with the Red Deer Rebels (Black) of the AMBHL. Topping already has ties to the WHL as his older brother Mitch is currently on the roster of the Chilliwack Bruins. Both these players now join the likes of standouts Reid Jackson (2008), Brennan Yadlowski (2006) and Ben Wright (2003) as the Canes first d-men selected in their bantam draft year.

"With Macoy you have a nice big, strong two way defenseman who isn't afraid to jump up into the play" said Robson "He should compliment Joel very well as Joel is another very steady two way defenseman who is strong in his own zone and can also create a lot of offence by jumping into the play and joining the rush."

The Lethbridge Hurricanes, as the result of deals made this season held 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 Canes then selected goaltender Ryan Ferguson with their fifth selection (69th overall) in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. Ferguson is the Hurricanes highest drafted goaltender since 2007 when the club drafted Brandon Anderson with the 50th overall selection in the third round. The 6'0, 165 lbs. Ferguson finished his AMBHL season with a solid .906 save percentage and a 3.04 GAA while playing with the Calgary Royals (Gold) of the AMBHL.

"Our scouts identified Ryan as a leader on his hockey club this season" said Robson "Physically he has a big body and he plays big. He plays a high arc and has very good lateral movement with a quick glove."

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 first 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 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.

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Western Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2010


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