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WHL Victoria Royals

Victoria WHL Franchise Adds Four More through Draft

May 5, 2011 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Victoria Royals News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Western Hockey League (WHL) franchise is proud to announce that forward Michael Bell has been selected with the 55th overall pick in the third round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, while defenseman Ryan Gagnon was selected next with the 56th pick, forward Chris Wilkie was chosen with pick #67 in the fourth round and with the 100th overall pick in the fifth round defenseman Brayden Park was selected.

Victoria's original second round draft selection (#34 overall) was traded to the Portland Winter Hawks for their third, fourth and eighth round choices in next year's 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.

Bell, a native of Kitimat, BC, was drafted in the third round with Victoria's 55th overall pick. The 5-11, 185 lb forward was named the "Diamond in the Rough" award winner at this year's BC Provincial Championships as a member of Kitimat Bantam Tier 2.

At 6-0, 165 lb, Gagnon is selected by Victoria at #56 overall after playing defense with his hometown Quesnel Bantam Tier 3 Thunder. Leading the club as their team captain, Gagnon and the Thunder took home the silver medal at Provincial Championships.

From Omaha, NE, Wilkie was the second American-born player taken in the WHL Bantam Draft this morning with the 67th overall pick in the third round. The 5-9, 155 lb forward spent his 2010-11 campaign with the Omaha AAA U-16 team. Wilkie has been invited to the USA Hockey Central District & Bantam Tryout Camps that begins this week in Fon Du Lac, WI.

With the 100th pick of the draft Victoria selected defenseman Brayden Park from Lumsden, SK. The 5-11, 197lb Park played last season with the Lumsden/Bethune Lions of the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League. In 21 regular season games he accrued nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points and 48 minutes in penalties.

"We are very excited about the players that we got this morning" Director of Scouting Garry Pochipinski said. "We feel that our start went very well, and we hope to have a good afternoon to finish up."

Victoria still holds eight remaining picks in the WHL Bantam Draft and will select in the following positions; #122, #144, #176 (from a trade with Saskatoon), #188, #210, #232, #298 and #320.

The WHL Bantam Draft is an annual outing, in which the Club's of the Western Hockey League select players who have graduated from bantam. The draft's order of selection depends on where the team finishes in the League standings. The Club's that miss the playoffs are placed into a lottery for the 1st round only. After the 1st round, the Club's select in order from fewest to most regular season points.

During the bantam draft, players from the four Western Provinces and the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are eligible to be selected. For the 2011 bantam draft, players born in 1996 may be selected.

The WHL is returning to Victoria this fall! Give yourself the best chance to get the seats you want today by booking a Priority Reference Number (PRN). Each $25 PRN purchase holds your spot in line until seat selection for the 2011-12 season begins! For further details or to purchase a PRN, visit the Select Your Tickets Box Office, www.selectyourtickets.com/vicwhl.php, e-mail tickets@vicwhl.com, or call 250-220-7777.

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