WHL Bantam Draft Continues For Wheat Kings

May 1, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Calgary, Alberta - The Brandon Wheat Kings have used their first three selections in Thursday's Western Hockey League Bantam Draft to select two forwards and a goalkeeper from the province of Alberta.

In the opening round, the Wheat Kings swapped first round picks with Kelowna in order to take highly touted right-winger Klarc Wilson with the tenth overall selection. The Rockets also received Brandon's fourth round pick in the deal.

In 31 games with the Edmonton Knights of Columbus Squires last season, the 6' 185 lb. Wilson scored 34 goals and 79 points while accumulating 52 minutes in penalties.

According to one WHL scout, Wilson is a "game breaker with great instincts from the blueline in...he has an accurate shot...great hockey sense and huge offensive upside."

While Wilson finished third in the North Division scoring race of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, Brandon's second round pick (35th overall) - center Jason Swyripa - finished second overall with 37 goals and 107 points in 33 games for the Airdrie Xtreme. The 5'8" 155 lb forward also accumulated 95 penalty minutes.

In the third round, the Wheat Kings opted for a 6' 160 lb goalkeeper from the St. Albert bantam Sabres with the 57th pick overall. In 21 games with the Sabres in 2007-08, Liam Liston compiled a 3.40 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.

The Red Deer Rebels, who won last month's draft lottery, used the first selection overall to choose Burnaby center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Portland was next and opted for Airdrie, Alberta right-winger Ty Rattie.

The Saskatoon Blades had two picks in the top six and used them to select Edmonton defenceman Duncan Siemens third overall and Weyburn center Brent Benson with the sixth overall selection.

As expected, Michael St. Croix of Winnipeg was the top Manitoban to be chosen - going 4th overall to the Edmonton Oil Kings. St. Croix starred this past season with the Winnipeg bantam Monarchs.

Rounding out the top five, the Prince Albert Raiders selected Edmonton right-winger Mark McNeill.

The annual bantam draft is the first step in the identification of the top rated 1993 born prospects as WHL clubs select players from this age group to add to their WHL Player Protected List. Players eligible for the draft must reside in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NWT, the Yukon or western United States.

Fans wanting to keep up with the draft can do so by going online at www.whl.ca

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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.

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