WHL Victoria Royals

Victoria WHL Franchise Finishes First Bantam Draft with 10 Selections

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 10 players have been selected today at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft in Calgary, AB.

Of the 10 total players selected, five forwards and four defenceman were chosen, while one goaltender was selected. Four B.C. born players were drafted while two players each from Alberta and Saskatchewan were selected. Manitoba and Nebraska provided one drafted player each.

ROUND 1

Victoria started their draft by selecting defenseman Joe Hicketts with the 12th overall selection. The Kamloops, BC native spent his 2010-11 season as captain of the Kamloops Jardine Blazers Bantam AAA where he recorded 59 points (18g-41a) and 54 minutes in penalties in 51 games played. Hicketts also had a rating of +98 and topped his team with 300 hits and 33 shot blocks. In the playoffs, Hicketts amassed 12 points (7g-5a) with eight penalty minutes while leading his team in hits (45) and blocked shots (9).

"Joe is a leader and a winner," Director of Scouting Garry Pochipinski said. "As a hockey player he dominates and reads plays as well as anyone. We were elated that he was available when it came our turn to select."

ROUND 2

Victoria's 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.

ROUND 3

In the third round, Victoria had consecutive picks at 55th and 56th overall. Forward Michael Bell, a native of Kitimat, was drafted 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.

"Michael has the potential to be a dynamic player in the Western Hockey League," Pochipinski said. "He has size with a physical game but has the skill to become a solid power forward."

Victoria used the next selection to take 6-0, 165 lb Ryan Gagnon who played 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.

"Ryan is a very intelligent defenceman that not only has the ability to shut down opposition players, but provide offensive capabilities as well," Pochipinski said. "He is a solid overall defenseman that can be an impact player for us in the future."

ROUND 4

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

"Chris plays strong hockey in all three zones as a forward," Pochipinski said. "He has a very high battle level as a physical player who finishes checks and has a great shot."

ROUND 5

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 believe Brayden has a very high compete level in him," Pochipinski said. "He can be a punishing force on the ice with his strength but has offensive upside as well."

ROUND 6

Fresh off a Bantam AAA Provincial Championship in Alberta, forward Zachary Riauka joined the Victoria franchise after being drafted in the sixth round at 122nd overall. The 6-4, 205 lb member of the South Side Athletic Club (SSAC) Southgate Lions also helped his team win their fall tournament last year.

ROUND 7

In the seventh round of the Bantam Draft, Victoria used its 144th overall pick to select 5-10, 155 lb Brendan Benson. A forward from Lethbridge, AB, Benson was alternate captain of his Lethbridge Val Matteott Golden Hawks team where he recorded 22 points (10g-12a) and 12 minutes in penalties in 26 games played.

ROUND 8

Forward Austin Larochelle was drafted 176th overall in the eighth round from his hometown Swift Current Kabos Raiders. At 5-10, 150 lbs, Larochelle notched four goals and eight assists for 12 points with 56 penalty minutes in 17 contests.

ROUND 9

Victoria selected its lone goaltender in the form of 6-0, 160 lb Michael Herringer with their ninth round, 188th overall selection. Herringer starred for the hometown Comox Valley Lube-X Bantam Chiefs and also was an invitee previously to prospects camp for the Cowichan Capitals.

ROUND 10

The final player selected was defenceman Cole Jones with the 210th overall pick in the 10th round. A 5-11, 180 lb blue liner, Jones played for the Springfield Icehawks Bantam AA squad in hometown Oakbank, MB.

ROUNDS 11-15

Victoria passed on their final three picks of the Bantam Draft at 232nd (11th round), 298th (14th) and 320th (15th) overall, and had previously traded their 12th and 13th round selections.

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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