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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

Recapping Warriors 2016 Bantam Draft

May 5, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


The Moose Jaw Warriors completed the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by making 11 selections, which included five forwards, five defenseman, and one goalie. Breaking down the selections by province, they selected one player from Saskatchewan, seven from Alberta, and three from British Columbia.

The Warriors started their day by trading the 12th overall pick to the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 21st overall pick in the draft, as well as Brandon's 3rd round pick and their 6th round pick.

With the 21st overall pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Moose Jaw Warriors selected Brayden Tracey from the Calgary North Stars (AMBHL). In 33 games Tracey had 36 goals, 25 assists, 61 points, and 40 penalty minute. At the 2016 Albert Cup, Tracey led the tournament with eight goals in four games and finished tied for first in scoring with ten points.

In the 3rd round, 64th overall, the Warriors selected defenseman Austin Herron. Herron, 6'3.5 180lbs, is from Abbotsford, BC and had one goal, three points, and 44 penalty minutes in 21 games with the Yale Hockey Academy.

Moose Jaw had three picks in the 5th round, which started with forward Jakin Smallwood who was selected 91st overall. Smallwood, 5'10 160lbs, is from Leduc, Alberta and had 28 goals and 59 points in 35 games with the Leduc Oil Kings in the AMBHL.

With their 2nd pick in the 5th round, 99th overall, they selected Calgary defenseman Matthew Sanders. Playing last season with the Calgary Bisons (AMBHL), Sanders, 6'1.5 185lbs, had seven goals and 17 points in 36 games.

They closed out the 5th round with the 105th overall pick, which they used to draft forward Josh O'Keefe. O'Keefe, 5'10 140lbs, played last season with the Burnaby Winter Club, who won gold at the 2016 Western Canada Bantam Championships.

The 6th round was the Warriors busiest with four picks in the round. It started with goaltender Ethan Fitzgerald, who was selected 115th overall. Last season with the Calgary Flames in the AMBHL, Fitzgerald (5'11.5 150lbs) posted a record of 6-10-1 with a 3.31gaa, an .895sv%, and four shutouts.

Four picks later at 119th overall, the Warriors drafted Saskatoon forward Cole Nagy. Nagy, 5'11 160lbs, had 21 goals and 44 points in 30 games with the Generals in the SBAAHL.

Two picks later with the 121st overall selection, the Warriors called defenseman Alek Sukunda. Sukunda, 5'11 172lbs, is from Burnaby, BC and won a Western Canada Bantam Championship gold medal last season with the Burnaby Winter Club.

Moose Jaw closed out the sixth round by selecting defenseman Konor Campbell 130th overall. Campbell, 5'8.5 150lbs, is from Edmonton and played last season with the Knights of Columbus in the AMBHL. In 34 games he had eight goals and 24 points.

With the 149th overall pick, the Warriors drafted forward Dylan Nevil in the seventh round. Nevil, 5'11 165lbs, is from Taber, Albert and had 15 goals and 33 points in 26 games with Lethbridge in the AMBHL.

Moose Jaw finished the day with one pick in the 8th round, drafting defenseman Drae Gardiner 165th overall. Gardiner, 5'7 145lbs, is from Calgary and played Bantam AA last season with the Calgary Wranglers, posting 23 goals and 39 points in 30 games.

The Class of 2016 will join other Warriors prospects in Moose Jaw for the teams annual Prospect Camp May 19 - 22.

Moose Jaw traded their 9th and 10th round picks to Kelowna for an 8th round pick in 2018. They also traded 1998-born forward Blake Bargar to Victoria for a conditional draft pick.

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Western Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2016


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