DRAFTING THE FUTURE
Friday is the day! A day the '92 born Warriors grad class has been waiting for their entire lives. Quinton Howden, Dylan McIlrath, Kendall McFaull, Antonin Honejsek and Brandon Glover will wait in anticipation for the results of NHL Entry Draft held in LA on Friday and Saturday.
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Five Moose Jaw Warriors have been listed in the NHL Central Scouting ranks. Dylan McIlrath leads the 1992 born grad class, compared to the defensive stylings of Ed Jovanovski of the Phoenix Coyotes, McIlrath has been turning heads, or more like craining necks, all season long. Dylan, also known as "the freight train from Winnipeg", as coined by Warriors radio broadcaster James Gallo will be a tough customer in his remaining years in the WHL and looking ahead to the NHL.
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Quinton Howden was drafted first overall in his Bantam year. All the way from a small town in Oak Bank, Manitoba; Howden's speed and scoring ability is his greatest asset. Howden finished off the 09/10 regular season as the top scorer for the Warriors. Recently, Howden has been compared to Todd Bertuzzi, who was cited as a "world class power forward" in his prime.
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Kendall McFaull is likely to go in day two of the draft. McFaull's progression over the season has been remarkable. Antonin Honejsek is ranked 124th, leading all Warriors rookies in scoring and breaking the top 20 rookie scoring ranks in the WHL. Honejsek was selected as the Warriors first pick in the 2009 Import Draft.
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Brandon Glover sits in 22nd position amoungst North American goal tenders. Glover graces the same list as fellow '92 born goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Tyler Bunz. June 25th is sure to be quite a day for Moose Jaw's young talent.
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The latest mock drafts from www.nhl.com have Dylan McIlath going as highest 10th to the New York Rangers. Other predictions include Boston at 15th or Ottawa with the 16th pick. Quinton Howden has been predicted to go as high as 12th to Anaheim. Also to Pittsburg with the 20th pick.
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With one missing tooth and fists of steal, McIlrath is not only a gem, but literally a ‘rock’ in amongst a talented group of potential draftees. Dylan has few expectations for the NHL Entry Draft and is now expected to go as highest 10th overall. “We head up there Thursday for a meeting and from there on, it’s all a surprise,” he said. “I am both nervous and excited, but know at this point none of it is in my hands… as the saying goes; whatever happens, happens,” he added. “I have done all I can and now I am just going to enjoy the experience with my family and friends,” said McIlrath.
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For Quinton, it has been a year full of pressure to perform, interviews and intense analysis– but what happens after the draft is over and the hype dies down? “I just want to keep progressing each day and take the Warriors farther than ever before. I am going to keep challenging myself and get my game where it needs to be to reach the next level,” Howden said.
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