WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Wrap up 2014 Bantam Draft

Published on May 1, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, Alta. -- Intangibles were key for the Edmonton Oil Kings at the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft held Thursday in Calgary.

The Oil Kings drafted four forwards, four defencemen and two goaltenders out of the 1999-born crop, balancing out their picks over the 11-round selection process.

"We got a combination of speed and desire to win as well as some size. Guys that play a lot bigger than what their body frames are, for sure," said Oil Kings director of scouting Jamie Novakoski. "With us, we look for great kids, not only on the ice but off the ice."

Edmonton snatched up Lloydminster product Kobe Mohr with the 20th pick of the first round, adding the 5-foot-9, 159-pound left winger to their prospect corps at forward.

"We like kids that come from winning organizations and Lloydminster had a very good team this year," Novakoski said. " Kobe was a very big part of that team. We like the way he plays and the style of play he brings, and we think he has a very bright future."

The Oil Kings stayed even closer to home with their next pick, 64th overall, selecting Brayden Gorda, a 6-foot-1 defenceman from the Maple Leaf Athletic Club.

In total, Edmonton drafted six players from Alberta, three from British Columbia and one, centre Brian Harris, from Manitoba.

"Alberta was definitely one of the stronger provinces this year, and where the draft ended up, it just happened to be Alberta kids in the slot we thought they should be taken. It wasn't that we planned it this way, but it was certainly nice that it worked out that way," Novakoski said.

2014 WHL Bantam Draft Selections

Round 1, Pick 20: Kobe Mohr, LW, Lloydminster, Alta. 5'9", 159

Round 3, Pick 64: Brayden Gorda, D, Edmonton, Alta. 6'1", 175

Round 4, Pick 86: Jaedon Kalupar, LW, Calgary, Alta. 5'10" 155

Round 5, Pick 108: Will Warm, D, West Vancouver, B.C., 5'10" 160

Round 6, Pick 117: Davis Murray, C, Sherwood Park, Alta., 5'11", 145

Round 7, Pick 152: Liam Hughes, G, Kelowna, B.C., 6' 190

Round 8, Pick 174: Max Wutzke, D, Calgary, Alta. 5'10" 158

Round 9, Pick 196: Max Alcorn, D, Kelowna, B.C. 6'3" 170

Round 11, Pick 227: Brian Harris, C, Wawanesa, Man. 5'10" 158

Round 11, Pick 240: Brandon Vogel, G, Edmonton, Alta. 6' 190

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central