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WHL Vancouver Giants

Meet the 10 Newest Vancouver Giants - 2018 Bantam Draft Recap

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


Vancouver, B.C. - It was a busy, rewarding day for the Vancouver Giants on Thursday in Red Deer, AB.

General Manager Glen Hanlon and his team of management and scouts added six forwards, three defencemen and a goaltender to the Vancouver Giants organization beginning in Round 1 with a skilled, two-way forward from St. Albert, AB.

ROUND 1

With the 12th overall pick the G-Men selected 2003-born forward Zack Ostapchuk.

Ostapchuk, a center, checks in at 6'2" and 175 pounds. In 30 games with Northern Alberta Xtreme's Bantam Prep program he registered 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points along with 12 penalty minutes. He finished with one goal and four assists in six games at the 2018 John Reid Bantam Tournament and added four assists in five games at the Alberta Cup with Team Northwest.

"Getting drafted by the Vancouver Giants is a dream come true," said Zack Ostapchuk moments after learning he had been selected by the Giants in Round 1. "Vancouver was always the team that I wanted to play for, and I was through the roof when I heard my name called by the Giants."

Ostapchuk adds, "Skating, size and strength are all positive parts of my game. I also take pride in my 200-foot game. Putting the puck in the net is important, but keeping it out of your net is twice as important."

"Zack is a competitor who brings a solid mix of skill, size and strength up the middle," said Giants General Manager, Glen Hanlon. "He leads by example in all areas of the ice, skates well and does whatever it takes to win. We're thrilled to welcome Zack and his family to the Vancouver Giants organization today."

ROUND 3

In the third-round Glen Hanlon made two picks. First, he selected goaltender Drew Sim (Tees, AB) 46th overall and 10 picks later snagged forward Justin Lies (Flon Flon, MB) 56th 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."

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's a natural goal scorer who competes hard and skates exceptionally well. He adds a strong element of character and skill to our organization."

ROUND 4

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."

ROUND 6

With their first pick in the sixth round (122nd overall) Giants General Manager Glen Hanlon selected forward Wyatt Cook (Sherwood Park, AB).

Cook checks in at 6'0", 180 pounds and just capped off a solid offensive season with the Sherwood Park Flyers. In 33 games with the Flyers he posted 22 goals and 15 assists for 37 points while adding 62 minutes in penalties.

"Wyatt Cook is legitimate scoring threat each time he takes the ice," said Giants Director of Scouting, Dan Bonar. "He doesn't back down from physical play, he skates hard and puts himself into great position offensively. This is a great pick for the Vancouver Giants!"

Cook was the third (and final) Alberta player selected by the Giants on Draft Day.

Four picks later the Giants went back to British Columbia with the selection of Surrey B.C. native Brenden Pentecost.

Pentecost, a left-shooting defenceman, stands 6'1" and 160 pounds and played in 2017-18 season with the Delta Hockey Academy's Bantam Prep Green program. In 30 games he recorded six assists and 10 penalty minutes and added an assist in three playoff games.

"Brenden is solid in all areas of the ice," said Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner. "He's not fancy, but he's a 'presence' on the ice. He makes a strong first pass, defends hard and plays the game with the type of fire that we've been coveting in this draft."

Pentecost was the second defenceman and second B.C.-born player selected by the Giants.

ROUND 7

In Round 7 the Giants stayed in B.C. to select Delta native Matthew Peterson.

Peterson is 5'10", 160 pounds and played his 2017-18 campaign with the South Delta Storm Bantam A1 Program.

Terry Bonner says, "Matthew plays the game hard all the time. He loves to score, loves to hit and demonstrates the type of leadership that will be very valuable to the Vancouver Giants moving forward."

Peterson was the third and final B.C.-born player drafted by the Giants on Draft Day.

ROUND 10

In the 10th round (210th overall) the Giants went South to select Los Angeles, CA native Noah Alvarez.

Alvarez, a forward, is 5'9", 146 pounds and spent his 2017-18 season with the LA Jr. Kings Bantam AAA program. In 52 games he compiled 24 goals and 40 assists for 64 points along with 28 penalty minutes.

Giants Scout Mike Green comments, "Noah is tremendously skilled. He has terrific offensive instincts but has an equally impressive work-ethic. We're thrilled that he was available to us at this stage of the draft."

Noah Alvarez was the only American-born player selected by the Giants on Draft Day.

ROUND 11

In round 11 (232nd Overall) the Giants drafted Manitoba-born defenceman Kyle Melo (Lorette, MB).

Melo, a right-shot defenceman, checks in at 5'11" and 170 pounds and registered 23 goals and 17 assists for 40 points in 34 games with the Eastman Selects. Seven of his 23 goals came via the power play and two were scored shorthanded.

"He's the type of player that always wants the puck on his stick," said Giants Head Scout Terry Bonner. "He's a leader who played top-unit power play and penalty-kill for his team. He competes hard every shift and shows no fear."

Melo was the third defenceman and second Manitoba-born player selected by the Giants in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.

ROUND 12

With their final pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, the Giants went to the Prairies again to select Moosomin, SK's Kyle Bochek.

Bochek, a forward, is 5'7" and 146 pounds. He suited up in 26 games with the Notre Dame Hounds in the CSSBHL and potted 14 goals along with nine assists for 23 points and 14 penalty minutes. He appeared in four games as an under-ager with the Notre Dame Hounds Midget AAA team and also appeared in one game for the Hounds at the 2018 Telus Cup.

Giants Scout Bill Gibson says, "He plays the game hard. He's willing to go into the corners to make a tough play and brings great hands and a strong shot to the table as well. He's the kind of player that brings a little bit of everything to each game he plays."

Bochek was the sixth forward and lone Saskatchewan-born player selected by the Vancouver Giants at the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft.

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THE SKINNY

1st Round 12: Zack Ostapchuk, St Albert, Alberta, Centre Forward

Northern Alberta Bantam Prep (CSSBHL) 30GP 24G 21A 45PTS 12 PIM

Northern Alberta Xtrm 15s 5GP 2G 5Pts 0 PIM

6'1.5 175lbs

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3rd Round 46: Drew Sim, Tees, Alberta, Goalie

OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep (CSSBHL) 16 GP 2.05 GAA .916 Sv%

6'1.25 220lbs

3rd Round 56: Justin Lies, Flin Flon, Manitoba, Forward

Norman Wolves Bantam AAA (WBAAA) 35 GP 39 G 62Pts 62 PIM

6'0 177lbs

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4th Round 78: Nicco Camazzola, Burnaby BC, Defensemen

Burnaby Winter club Bantam Prep (CSSBHL), 30 GP 2 G 10 Pts 54 PIM

Playoffs: 4 GP 0Pts 10 PIM

6'1 178lbs

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6th Round 122: Wyatt Cook, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Forward

Sherwood Park Flyers Bantam AAA (AMBHL) 33GP 22G 15A 37 Pts 62PIM

6'0 180lbs

6th Round 126: Brenden Pentecost, Surrey BC, Defensemen

Delta Bantam Prep Green (CSSBP) 30GP 0 G 6Pts

Playoffs: 3 GP 0 G 1 Pts

6'1 160lbs

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7th Round 144: Matthew Peterson, Delta BC, Forward

South Delta Storm Bantam A1

5'10 160lbs

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10th Round 210: Noah Alvarez, Los Angeles, CA. Forward

52 GP 24G 40A 64Pts

Los Angeles Jr. Kings Bantam AAA

5'9" 146lbs

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11th Round 232: Kyle Melo, Lorette, MB. Defensemen.

34GP 23G 17A 40Pts 50 PIM

Eastman Selects Bantam AAA

5'11, 170lbs

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12th Round 254: Kyle Bochek, Moosomin, SK, Forward

26GP 14G 9A 23Pts 14PIM with Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA (CSSBHL)

4GP 0pts with Notre Dame Hounds Midget AAA (SMHL)

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British Columbia: 3

Alberta: 3

Manitoba: 2

Saskatchewan: 1

USA: 1

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Forwards: 6

Defensemen: 3

Goaltenders: 1

Check out the Vancouver Giants Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2018


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