DRAFT RECAP: Silvertips add seven players in 2021 WHL Draft
EVERETT, Wash. — The Everett Silvertips have selected seven players in the 2021 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft held Thursday, Dec. 9.
“It’s been a busy few months in a bizarre season of scouting due to the pandemic,” said Silvertips director of player personnel Mike Fraser. “Despite the challenges and short time frame our scouting staff had to evaluate all the 2006-birthdate players, we’re very impressed and excited with how the draft turned out. In large part, it’s due to the tireless work our scouts did in the few months leading up to the draft.”
Everett began the draft by selecting 20th-overall, picking defenseman Tarin Smith from the Saskatoon Blazers 18U AAA squad. The Silvertips did not have a pick in the second or fourth rounds, as a result of a 2019 trade in which Everett acquired Cole Fonstad (now in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters after two seasons with the Silvertips).
Other players selected include: forward Jesse Heslop (3rd-round, 66th overall); defenseman Cameron Sytsma (6th-round, 131st overall); forward Carter Bear (6th-round, 132nd overall); forward Lynden Donald-Gorman (8th-round, 158th overall); goaltender Beck Boiteau (8th-round, 163 overall); and defenseman Kenyon McIsaac (9th-round, 190th overall). The Silvertips completed one trade during the draft, swapping a future 9th-round pick with the Calgary Hitmen to jump up from pick 198 to pick 190 in order to select McIsaac.
“We’ve acquired a solid group of talent for the future and we’re excited to watch them develop,” noted Fraser.
This is the first WHL Draft since 2017 that the Silvertips have selected in the first round. Their most recent first-round pick prior to this season came at 20th overall, selecting current co-captain and Carolina Hurricanes prospect Ronan Seeley.
Rd. 1, 20 overall: Tarin Smith, defenseman
Hometown: Porcupine Plains, SK
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 174 lbs
Current team: Saskatoon Blazers 18U AAA
2021-22 stats: 1 goal, 14 assists, 20 games played
Bolstering the blueline.
We've selected Tarin Smith 20th overall in the #WHLDraft!#LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/yUyOQzyseV
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
Rd. 3, 66 overall: Jesse Heslop, forward
Hometown: Nanaimo, BC
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 141 lbs
Current team: Yale Hockey Academy Prep
2021-22 stats: 18 goals, 19 assists, 17 games played (combined U17 and U18 stats)
Welcome to Everett, Jesse!
We've selected Jesse Heslop from Yale Hockey Academy in the 3rd-round of the #WHLDraft!#LetsGoTips pic.twitter.com/Mxa6uSnrSh
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
Rd. 6, 131 overall: Cameron Sytsma, defenseman
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 161 lbs
Current team: Burnaby Winter Club U18 Prep
2021-22 stats: 2 assists, 9 games
Back to back like I’m on the cover of Lethal Weapon.
We picked up Cameron Sytsma and Carter Bear with consecutive picks in the 6th-round of the WHL Draft! pic.twitter.com/JLxtgjZjle
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
Rd. 6, 132 overall: Carter Bear, forward
Hometown: West St. Paul, MB
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 150 lbs
Current team: Winnipeg Thrashers U18 AAA
2021-22 stats: 12 goals, 6 assists, 19 games played
Rd. 8, 158 overall: Lynden Donald-Gorman, forward
Hometown: West St. Paul, MB
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150 lbs
Current team: CAC Canadians U16 AAA
2021-22 stats: 15 goals, 15 assists, 15 games played
LDG to EVT.
We've selected Lynden Donald-Gorman from @cac_hockey in the 8th-round of the WHL Draft! pic.twitter.com/BQgGzR8sie
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
Rd. 8, 163 overall: Beck Boiteau, goaltender
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 170 lbs
Current team: Lethbridge Hurricanes 18U AAA
2021-22 stats: 3-2-0, 2.36 goals-against average, .894 save percentage, 1 shutout in 7 games
Strength in the crease.
We've selected goaltender Beck Boiteau from Lethbridge Hurricanes U18 AAA in the 8th-round of the WHL Draft! pic.twitter.com/3wdiIEcsel
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
Rd. 9, 190 overall: Kenyon McIsaac, defenseman
Hometown: Prince George, BC
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 145 lbs
Current team: Burnaby Winter Club Prep
2021-22 stats: 2 goals, 11 assists, 16 games played (combined U16 and U18 stats)
We have traded up to snag pick #190 from the Calgary Hitmen.
With that pick, we select Kenyon McIsaac from Burnaby Winter Club Prep in the 9th-round of the WHL Draft! pic.twitter.com/U1d06N5XsM
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) December 9, 2021
COMING UP:
- SEATTLE SHOWDOWN: The Silvertips are on the road this weekend to take on the Tri-City Americans. They return home next Saturday for a rivalry matchup with the Seattle Thunderbirds | TICKET DEALS
- TARIN SMITH, FIRST ROUNDER: Tarin Smith selected 20th overall in the 2021 WHL Draft | READ MORE
- WORLD JUNIORS: Silvertips center Michal Gut has been named to the Czech Republic preliminary roster ahead of the 2022 World Junior Championship | READ MORE
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