LEAVING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
MEDICINE HAT — The Medicine Hat Tigers hosted their annual Orientation Camp for Bantam draft picks from 2013 and20
14, among others. But being a bantam draft pick for any Western Hockey League team can put a lot of pressure on a 13 or 14 year old kid. But it seems that being a late round pick develops less pressure on an individual than being a first or second round pick. Take a look at the NHL for example, high first and second round picks are usually the ones that get the media attention and career scrutany, but later round picks, despite the amount of talent, are said to be “finds” or “diamonds in the rough”.
This weekend was an opportunity for all bantam draft picks and young players in the Tigers organization to show their stuff, both on the ice and off the ice. It helps gage where the player’s development stands and what they might need to work on over the next few years in order to be successful at the WHL level.
We caught up with Tigers late round picks Dylan Cassie, Cale Makar and Caleb Fantillo to ask them what they thought about being drafted.
Question 1: How much motivation does being a lower bantam draft pick give you?
Makar – “It gives my the motivation to become like the first round picks because it shows me what it takes to be selected so high.”
Cassie – “It just means I have to work harder to prove myself and prove to the coaches that I can play in this league.”
Fantillo – “It gives me lots of motivation, you have more to prove being a late round pick and you want to show the coaches it was a great decision to draft you in the first place.”
Question 2: What does it mean to you to be drafted to the WHL?
Fantillo – “It means everything to my career, I always wanted to play in the WHL, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead of me”
Makar – “It’s a great feeling, it shows that the coaches repsect my game and who I am as a player”
Cassie – “It means a lot. I have been playing hockey since I was 4 and all the work I put into the game to get to this point is just a great honor.”
Question 3: How do you prepare yourself to become WHL ready?
Cassie – “I will have to push myself everyday, work hard, train hard in the gym and get on the ice as much as possible to enhance my skills”
Makar – “For me I will have to get stronger in order to play with the older players, hopefully grow a bit more and get on the ice as much as possible during the off season.”
Fantillo – “I will be skating twice a week this summer and in the gym five days a week in order to be one step above everybody else.”
Question 4: Was it your goal to be drafted to the WHL?
Fantillo – “It has always been a goal of mine to make the Western Hockey League. Being from BC there are a lot of great teams to follow, so it just becomes a hockey goal.”
Cassie – “Actually, I never expected to be drafted at all, but when i got the call, it was an overwhelming opportunity to enhance my game even further.”
Makar – “I was hoping to get drafted, it did catch me by surprise because of my small stature but it is a great next step for my career.”
Question 5: What are your plans for next season?
Makar – “I am going to tryout and hopefully play Junior A hockey, if not, then head back to my hometown and try out for Midget AAA.”
Fantillo – “My first and only priority at the moment is to get onto the Tigers roster for next season.”
Cassie – “I will be trying out for the provincial midget team in Manitoba. If i don’t make it, I will be back with the Winnipeg Monarchs.”
The Tigers have had very talented players come through our origanization, but some of the Tiger greats (who now play in the NHL) were never selected as a 13 or 14 year old kid and made the WHL by working hard. Let’s have a look at some Tigers alumni and their bantam draft history…
Not Selected in Bantam Draft
Tyler Ennis – 236 points in 245 WHL games – Currently plays for Buffalo Sabres
Joffrey Lupul – 240 points in 191 WHL games – Currently plays for Toronto Maple Leafs
Late Round Bantam Draft Picks
Chris St. Jacques – 368 points in 351 WHL games – Drafted in 4th round of 1998 Draft
Brett Robertson – 102 points in 206 WHL games – Drafted in 7th round of 2001 Draft
Darren Helm – 167 points in 201 WHL games – Drafted in 9th round of 2002 Draft – Plays for Detroit Red Wings
Kris Russell – 196 points in 241 WHL games – Drafted in 8th round of 2002 Draft – Plays for Calgary Flames
David Schlemko – 131 points in 198 WHL games – Drafted in 4th round of 2002 Draft – Plays for Phoenix Coyotes
Gordon Baldwin – 61 points in 190 WHL games – Drafted in 4th round of 2002 Draft
The Bantam Draft is held annually in Calgary in the first week in May and is an opportunity for WHL teams to stock their cupboards with young prospects and future contributors to the team. Tigers fans will have to wait a bit longer before we see the likes of Dylan Cassie, Caleb Fantillo and Cale Makar dawning the Tiger crest.
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