BLADES BANTAM DRAFT RECAP

The Saskatoon Blades have wrapped up a busy day at the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.  The Blades ended up making a pair of large trades and selecting 10 players in the draft.

Things started off with a bang for the Blades as they pulled the trigger on a trade to acquire forwards Shane McColgan and Jessey Astles from the Kelowna Rockets.  The deal saw centre Ryan Olsen head to Kelowna along with 2nd and 5th round selections in the draft.  The Blades also picked up a conditional 3rd round selection in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft as part of the deal.

“Shane is a dynamic offensive player that also brings grit, versatility and hard work to the table.  He’s also a guy that brings in some solid playoff experience, something we will need going forward into next season.” said Blades Head Coach and General Manager Lorne Molleken. 

Molleken also had good things to say about Astles. ” He’s a very physical player, he works hard, can fill a number of different roles for our hockey club going forward and most importantly, he’s a very tough player to play against.”

The Blades weren’t done there.  Minutes later they acquired 20 year old forward Brenden Walker from Brandon in exchange for a trio of draft picks.

“Brenden has always been a fierce competitor against the Saskatoon Blades,” said Saskatoon Blades Head Coach and General Manager Lorne Molleken.  “He’s coming off of a career year offensively, provides excellent leadership and is also a very good two way player.”

Then, the Blades got to work on the bantam draft and this is how things went for Saskatoon:

3rd Round – 56th overall – Centre Cameron Hebig from Saskatoon, SK. 5’7, 135 pounds.

“Cameron is a really skilled forward that plays with a ton of energy and has a great skillset.  He scored at a goal-per-game pace this season and he competes hard and plays much bigger than his size.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky.

4th Round – 79th overall – Goaltender Brandon Kegler from Leduc, Aberta. 6’1, 182 pounds.

“Brandon is a good sized goaltender who really caught our eye at the Alberta Cup.  He really improved all season and is a very athletic goaltender and is a kid who our scouting staff is very high on.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky.

5th Round – 97th overall – Defenceman Quinn Sobus from Lloydminster, Alberta. 5’10, 138 pounds.

“Quinn is a good skating defenceman who works hard and likes to play physical.  He’s got good size and is a player that is well rounded on the ice.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky.

9th Round – 189th overall – Winger Connor Odelein from Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. 5’11, 158 pounds.

“Connor is a kid that plays really hard all over the ice.  He has good size, he finishes his checks, drives the net and is a guy that we are pleased to grab at this point of the draft.  He’s also the nephew of former NHL player Lyle Odelein and the son of former NHL player Selmar Odelein.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky. 

11th Round – 233rd overall – Defenceman Mackenzie Dwyer from Winnipeg, Manitoba. 5’10, 152 pounds

“Mackenzie is a solid two way defenceman.  He skates well, has quick feet, moves the puck well and plays the game with some bite on the backend.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky. 

11th Round – 234th overall – Winger Dexter Kuczek from East St. Paul, Manitoba. 5’10, 175 pounds.

“Dexter is a hard skating forward.  He has good puck skills, he’s got a hard shot and most importantly, he goes to the hard areas of the ice.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky

12th Round – 255th overall – Winger Mitch Newsome from Surrey, BC. 5’10, 150 pounds.

“Mitch really is our kind of player.  He’s a really good skater with a good nose for the net.  He competes hard and always finishes his checks.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky

12th Round – 256th overall – Defenceman Cole Williams from Delta, BC. 5’10, 160 pounds.

“Cole is a solid kid who skates really well. He’s got solid puck skills, plays aggressively and doesn’t take a shift off.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky

12th Round – 257th overall – Centre Haydn Hopkins from Victoria, BC. 5’8, 145 pounds.

“Haydn is a player that always skates hard and plays much bigger than his size. He’s got good skill and really improved throughout the season.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky

12th Round – 261st overall – Defenceman Turner Ottenbreit from Yorkton, Saskatchewan. 6’0, 175 pounds

“At 6’0 tall, Turner is a kid with good size and a good frame.  He’s a solid skater with some puck skill and the ability to always play physical on the ice.” – Blades Assistant GM Jarrod Brodsky

In the end, Saskatoon selected 10 players with 5 fowards, 4 defenceman and one goaltender being picked.