Giants sign 2002-born defenceman Joel Sexsmith
Vancouver Giants general manager Glen Hanlon announced today that the team has signed 2002-born defenceman Joel Sexsmith to a Western Hockey League Standard Player Agreement.
Originally selected ninth overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, the 6-foot-11, 165-pound product of Edmonton, Alta. was acquired by the Giants in a trade on Sunday, January 7 that sent a first-round pick in the 2019 draft back to Swift Current.
In eight games with the Edge School Elite 15’s this season, Sexsmith has produced 11 points (2G-9A). In October, he represented Team Alberta at the WHL Cup and finished with three points (1G-2A) and a plus-6 rating in five games while helping Alberta earn silver. During his second year of bantam, Sexsmith recorded 16 points (4G-12A) in 30 games with the Rink Hockey Academy Bantam Prep team.
“Today our franchise took another major step forward when we welcomed Joel and his family to the Vancouver Giants organization,” said Giants GM Glen Hanlon. “Joel is a very strong two-way defenceman who we expect to play a big part in our success in the years to come.
“The addition of Joel Sexsmith now means that we have managed to draft or acquire six of our top 25 ranked players from the 2017 Draft,” added Hanlon. “We believe very strongly in the direction we’re headed and we’re also very excited about what we’ve been able to achieve so far this season.”
It’s an honor for me to sign with the Vancouver Giants,” said Sexsmith, who will join the team for practice today and tomorrow. “This is a great fit for my family and I and I’m very excited to begin the next chapter of my junior hockey career in Vancouver with the Giants.”
Sexsmith’s signing means that all 22 first-round picks from the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft have now signed with their respective WHL clubs.
This weekend the Giants (25-14-4-2) continue their eight-game home stand when they host the Victoria Royals on Friday, January 19 (7:30 p.m. PST) and the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, January 20 (7:00 p.m. PST).
BREAKING NEWS!
The Giants have signed 2002-born defenceman @JoelSexsmith to a Standard @TheWHL Player Agreement!
READ MORE: https://t.co/gk6imU3y2j
Welcome aboard Joel! We're thrilled to welcome you and your family to the Vancouver Giants! pic.twitter.com/phOtAHuPmS
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) January 17, 2018
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