Vancouver Giants Sign First Four Picks From Their 2022 Draft Class

In a historic day for the Vancouver Giants, General Manager Barclay Parneta announced today that the Vancouver Giants have signed their first four picks from the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Earlier today the Giants were pleased to welcome forwards Cameron Schmidt (Prince George, B.C.), Aaron Obobaifo (Calgary, AB), and Jakob Oreskovic (Langley, B.C.) along with defenceman Colton Alain (Victoria, B.C.) to the organization.

—

Cameron Schmidt – Round 1, 7^th Overall

Cameron Schmidt was selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. The 5’8” right-shot forward spent last season with the Rink Academy Kelowna U15 program. In 13 games, the Prince George, B.C. native recorded 25 goals and added 16 assists for 41 points, and added 38 penalty minutes. He also appeared in one game for the U16 team and three games with the U18 team, recording two goals with each team.

“It’s an incredible honour to sign with the Vancouver Giants and to start this new chapter of my hockey career,” said Cameron Schmidt. “I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and taking part in my first WHL Training Camp.”

General Manager Barclay Parneta adds, “We are ecstatic to have Cameron join our organization to further his hockey development. He is a dynamic, offensive player with a great shot and his exciting skillset will bring fans out of their seats.”

—

Aaron Obobaifo – Round 1, 19^th Overall

 Aaron Obobaifo, a 5’10” left-shot forward appeared in 52 games with Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA team. In that span he recorded 44 goals and 47 assists for 91 points and 36 penalty minutes. He played in six games during the previous season with the Edge Hockey Academy in Calgary and posted six goals and five assists for 11 points. In order to select Aaron Obobaifo with pick #19, the Giants traded up two spots in the draft by trading the 21^st and 70^th overall picks to the Saskatoon Blades.

“It’s very exciting to sign today with the Vancouver Giants,” said Aaron Obobaifo. “A lot of great players have come through this organization and I can’t wait to get started. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity.”

Barclay Parneta adds, “Aaron’s competitiveness and work-ethic is off the charts. He’s an excellent two-way player with great offensive upside and skating ability. We were thrilled to be able to trade up in the draft to select him.”

—

 Jakob Oreskovic – Round 1, 22^nd Overall

Jakob Oreskovic, a left-handed shot, checks in at 5’11” and spent last season with the Delta Hockey Academy’s U15 Prep Green program. In 28 games, he recorded 19 goals and 27 assists along with 8 penalty minutes. He also suited up in five playoff games and recorded one goal and two assists.

“I’m very excited to sign with my hometown WHL team,” said Jakob Oreskovic. “I’ve grown up watching the Vancouver Giants play, and I’m honoured to have the opportunity to put on a Giants jersey and begin the next step of my hockey career.”

“Jacob brings a solid mix of size and skill to the table. We scouted him closely this season, and we really like his character, work ethic and on ice leadership. We were thrilled that he was still available to us at #22,” adds Barclay Parneta.

—

Colton Alain – Round 3, 54^th Overall

Colton Alain is a 6’2”, right-shot defenceman who scored 16 goals and added 16 assists for 32 points in 30 games for the Pacific Coast Academy’s U15 Prep Program last season, along with 40 penalty minutes. He appeared in additional five games with the U16 team and managed one goal and one assist. He was the first defenceman selected by the Giants in the 2022 Prospects Draft.

“I’m grateful to the Vancouver Giants organization for the opportunity, and I’m excited to officially commit to the Vancouver Giants today,” said Colton Alain. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to take the ice for Training Camp with my new teammates in the fall.”

Barclay Parneta adds, “Colton is a big-bodied, versatile, mobile defenceman who can contribute in all areas of the ice. He’s got strong character and a bomb of a shot from the point. He’s going to fit in very well on our blueline in the seasons to come.”

—

As under-agers, all four of these players are eligible to play in up to five games next season with the Vancouver Giants until their respective regular seasons come to an end with their CSSHL teams.

The Vancouver Giants couldn’t be happier to welcome Cameron Schmidt, Aaron Obobaifo, Jakob Oreskovic, Colton Alain and their families to their organization.