Rockets make 11 selections in 2020 WHL Draft, take Andrew Cristall eighth overall
The Kelowna Rockets selected a total of 11 players in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft that took place online today, including one goaltender, four defencemen and six forwards.
Lorne Frey, the Rockets assistant general manager and director of player personnel, says that the Rockets brass is happy with the crop of players they were able to draft today.
“We picked guys who are skilled that can skate and compete. It was a deep draft, hopefully, the players that we took take strides and improve over the next couple of years. That’s what you’re in this for, to see which players down the road improve and get better, in saying that they are good prospects at this time who are going to grow and develop.”
The Rockets, with their first selection eighth overall, selected left-wing Andrew Cristall from St. George’s School (CSSBHL).
Cristall, 15, spent last season with St. George’s School Bantam Prep, recording 80 points (43G, 37A) and 47 penalty minutes in 27 games. He added another seven points (4G, 3A) and two penalty minutes in two playoff games.
Frey says that Cristall is a high-end player that will make the forwards around him better.
“We think Andrew is a very good hockey player, he’s highly skilled with a tremendous hockey IQ,” said Frey. “He controls the game and sets the tempo of it, he makes players better around him.”
Back in 2018, the Rockets selected centre Trevor Wong 18th overall from St. George’s back in 2018.
Today marked Frey’s final day in his position with the Rockets, it was announced yesterday that he would be stepping down to take an advisor role with the team.
The end of an era. #ThankYouLorne pic.twitter.com/APJNRE1kGe
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 22, 2020
Round 1, pick 8
PLAYER: Andrew Cristall
POSITION: LW
HEIGHT: 5’6
WEIGHT: 132
BIRTHDATE: February 4, 2005
HOMETOWN: Burnaby, BC
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | St. George’s School Btm Prep (CSSBHL) | 30 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 16 |
| 2019-20 | St. George’s School Btm Prep (CSSBHL) | 27 | 43 | 37 | 80 | 47 |
| 2019-20 | St. George’s School Elite 15s (CSSHL E15) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
So honored and excited to be picked by such a prestigious organization @Kelowna_Rockets looking forward to the future! https://t.co/2CgdR94ZyK
— Andrew Cristall (@AndrewCristall) April 23, 2020
Round 2, pick 30
PLAYER: Caden Price
POSITION: D
HEIGHT: 5’11
WEIGHT: 156
BIRTHDATE: 2005
HOMETOWN: Saskatoon, SK
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Saskatoon Maniacs Bantam AA (SBAAHL) | 30 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | Saskatoon Generals Bantam AA (SBAAHL) | 31 | 31 | 24 | 55 | 34 |
| 2019-20 | Saskatoon Contacts (SMHL) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Round 3, pick 49
PLAYER: Marcus Pacheco
POSITION: C
HEIGHT: 5’9
WEIGHT: 144
BIRTHDATE: April 6, 2005
HOMETOWN: Edmonton, AB
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Knights of Columbus Squires Bantam (AMBHL) | 33 | 12 | 31 | 43 | 28 |
| 2019-20 | OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep (CSSBHL) | 30 | 15 | 24 | 39 | 28 |
Check out @marcuspacheco05 fly. 🚀 https://t.co/vIihBpjZ7M
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) April 22, 2020
Round 6, pick 115
PLAYER: Logan Dochuk
POSITION: D
HEIGHT: 6’0
WEIGHT: 152
BIRTHDATE: January 31, 2005
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Knights of Columbus Squires Bantam (AMBHL) | 30 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 24 |
| 2019-20 | Knights of Columbus Squires Bantam (AMBHL) | 33 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 46 |
| 2019-20 | KC Centennials Minor Midget AAA (AMMHL) | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Who would have ever thought 7 years ago Logan would be drafted by the @Kelowna_Rockets We are proud of you Logan ! #hardworkstartsnow #whl #Grateful pic.twitter.com/rzQwkzLzr1
— Kent Dochuk (@kdochuk) April 22, 2020
Round 6, pick 118
PLAYER: Jackson Romeril
POSITION: D
HEIGHT: 5’11
WEIGHT: 173
BIRTHDATE: January 18, 2005
HOMETOWN: Calgary, AB
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | CNHA Blazers Bantam AA (HCBAA) | 30 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 58 |
| 2019-20 | OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep (CSSBHL) | 26 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 58 |
Round 7, pick 140
PLAYER: Alex Scheiwiller
POSITION: G
HEIGHT: 5’9
WEIGHT: 142
BIRTHDATE: January 10, 2005
Hometown: Calgary, AB
| Season | Team | GP | W | L | GAA | SAV% |
| 2018-19 | Calgary Flames Bantam AAA (AMBHL) | 16 | 9 | 4 | 2.33 | .919 |
| 2019-20 | Calgary Flames Bantam AAA (AMBHL) | 19 | 15 | 4 | 1.48 | .937 |
Round 8, pick 161
PLAYER: Grady Lenton
POSITION: C
HEIGHT: 5’9
WEIGHT: 151
BIRTHDATE: August 9, 2005
HOMETOWN: Delta, BC
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2019-20 | Greater Van Canadians Bantam AA (BCBHL) | 30 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 12 |
| 2019-20 | Greater Vancouver Canadiens Minor Midget (BCMIML) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Round 9, pick 180
PLAYER: Ethan Neutens
POSITION: F
HEIGHT: 5’10
WEIGHT: 160
BIRTHDATE: May 3, 2005
HOMETOWN: Cochrane, AB
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Bow Valley Timberwolves Bantam AA (SCABL) | 34 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 22 |
| 2019-20 | Airdrie Xtreme Bantam AAA (AMBHL) | 31 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 24 |
| 2019-20 | AC Avalanche Minor Midget AAA (AMMHL) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Round 9, pick 184
PLAYER: Ty Mason
POSITION: C
HEIGHT: 5’8
WEIGHT: 135
BIRTHDATE: June 23, 2005
HOMETOWN: Weyburn, SK
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Weyburn Wings Bantam AA (SBAAHL) | 30 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 20 |
| 2019-20 | Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA (CSSBHL) | 30 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 18 |
| 2019-20 | Notre Dame Hounds Midget AAA (SMHL) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Round 11, pick 228
PLAYER: Will Munro
POSITION: LW
HEIGHT: 6’0
WEIGHT: 167
BIRTHDATE: April 26, 2005
HOMETOWN: Swan River, MB
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA (WBAAA) | 36 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 10 |
| 2019-20 | Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA (WBAAA) | 36 | 23 | 23 | 46 | 44 |
Round 12, pick 250
PLAYER: Wyatt Homeniuk
POSITION: D
HEIGHT: 5’11
WEIGHT: 150
BIRTHDATE: March 9, 2005
HOMETOWN: Regina, SK
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
| 2018-19 | Regina Pat Blues Bantam AA (SBAAHL) | 31 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 22 |
| 2019-20 | Regina Pat Blues Bantam AA (SBAAHL) | 31 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 46 |
| 2019-20 | Regina Pat Canadians Midget AAA (SMHL) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
