Bantam Draft

[booboo]

Any WK fans have any ideas as to whom the team will pick as their first round bantam pick at #12?

[the Royal Flush]

i believe that pick is owned by Victoria...

[Joe Hallenback]

Hoping Lesychyn from Eastman falls to us

[booboo]

i believe that pick is owned by Victoria...

I believe Brandon uses their own pick at 12 and the Royals get Brandon's pick via Saskatoon at 13.

[lordstanley]

Hoping Lesychyn from Eastman falls to us

His name is actually Thomas Lenchyshyn he is a good 1 no doubt but to me there is better such as where you guy's are picking you may have a good shot another 1 to keep a eye on is Brady Reagan good size and an offensive dynamo

[witness]

If your looking for pure talent, then there is a chance that a kid like Jaden Halbgewachs is still around at 12. He has high end talent in a small package.

If you want to look more within Manitoba. I would give some serious consideration to Keegan Kolser. Huge kid with sweet hands.

[Joe Hallenback]

Lencyhsyn will probably not be around at 12 but I am hoping he is. He is big already at 6'1 190 and will grow some more. He is a great skater too. I like Kolesar as well and he would be a very good option at 12 too.

[Pecker]

oh man! We would have had back to back first round picks if we hadn't traded for Sundhar. What a kick in the nuts! He'd better be back next year as a 20 year old to make this trade worth it.

[Joe Hallenback]

He's not coming back next year. He is signed by Buffalo and he will be in the AHL next season.

FYI Stone,Ferland and Walker were not number 1 picks. They are a bit overrated IMO

[Pecker]

Darian Dziurzynski and Matt Calvert both played as 20 year olds while they were signed and I'm sure lots of others have to. Being signed has nothing to do with it. Sundhar was barely noticable while playing for the Wheaties. He doesn't have what it takes to play in the AHL yet. He'll be back...

[sbtatter]

Darian Dziurzynski and Matt Calvert both played as 20 year olds while they were signed and I'm sure lots of others have to. Being signed has nothing to do with it. Sundhar was barely noticable while playing for the Wheaties. He doesn't have what it takes to play in the AHL yet. He'll be back...

I don't think DD was signed (or signed yet even). Calvert came back because of the Mem Cup in Brandon. Now, I think Sundher should come back for another year, but I don't think he will, unless the NHL strikes.....

[lordstanley]

Darian Dziurzynski and Matt Calvert both played as 20 year olds while they were signed and I'm sure lots of others have to. Being signed has nothing to do with it. Sundhar was barely noticable while playing for the Wheaties. He doesn't have what it takes to play in the AHL yet. He'll be back...

There you have it he is back pecker said so lol you can all rest easy now

[lordstanley]

sbtatter is right Darian never signed cause us Blades fans were watching that closely last season and calvert yeah was a total different situation

[Trevor]

Darian Dziurzynski and Matt Calvert both played as 20 year olds while they were signed and I'm sure lots of others have to. Being signed has nothing to do with it. Sundhar was barely noticable while playing for the Wheaties. He doesn't have what it takes to play in the AHL yet. He'll be back...

To go along with the points others have made before about DD and Calvert, neither of them were signed as 19 year olds, both signed when they were 20's.

[Joe Hallenback]

#12. Brandon:
Braylon Shmyr - F, 5'8", 130 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Calgary Bisons (AMBHL AAA bantam) 33 38 31 69 20
Calgary Bisons (St. Albert bantam AAA tournament) 5 4 2 6 4
Calgary South Flames (Alberta Cup) 5 2 5 7 0

[sbtatter]

#12. Brandon:
Braylon Shmyr - F, 5'8", 130 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Calgary Bisons (AMBHL AAA bantam) 33 38 31 69 20
Calgary Bisons (St. Albert bantam AAA tournament) 5 4 2 6 4
Calgary South Flames (Alberta Cup) 5 2 5 7 0

Anyone see this kid play at all? Hopefully he's another Calvert, not Swyripa!

[Joe Hallenback]

He is 5'10 already and an elite offensive talent. Going to be a good one

Brandon traded Walker to the Blades for 2 2nds and a 3rd.

[sbtatter]

He is 5'10 already and an elite offensive talent. Going to be a good one

Brandon traded Walker to the Blades for 2 2nds and a 3rd.

I find it hard to believe the Blades wanted Walker, who's worth was really inflated by playing with Ferland and Stone, and he really seems to struggle in the playoffs. Makes up for the DD trade anyway!

[Joe Hallenback]

I think Walker will have a huge year next year. He was playing hurt in the playoffs I know that.

Tanner Browne - D, 5'11", 190 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (OMAHA AAA bantam) 63 22 33 55 92
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (OMAHA AAA midget) 6 2 3 5 8
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (St. Albert bantam AAA tournament) 6 3 1 4 18
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (NAPHL 14U) 5 1 0 1 0
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (CSSHL Varsity) 1 0 1 1 2
Kelowna Pursuit of Excellence (KIBIHT AAA bantam) 6 0 2 2 27
Flyers (B.C. U-16 Cup) 4 0 1 1 n/a


Very good pick. Browne is a Nikkel clone.

[lordstanley]

I find it hard to believe the Blades wanted Walker, who's worth was really inflated by playing with Ferland and Stone, and he really seems to struggle in the playoffs. Makes up for the DD trade anyway!

We'll take it huge upgrade from cox and collins as returning 20's :groovy:

[sbtatter]

We'll take it huge upgrade from cox and collins as returning 20's :groovy:

I bet. And Walker's an awesome team guy, and I'm glad he gets to go back to the Mem Cup!

[Joe Hallenback]

Dakota Boutin - C, 5'11", 160 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Melville Millionaires (SBAAHL AA bantam) 19 24 24 48 96
Yorkton Harvest (SMAAAHL AAA midget) 4 0 1 1 0
Zone 1 (SaskFirst) No Stats


Heard nothing but good things about Boutin. He was one of the top forwards in Sask last year

[Joe Hallenback]

#78. Brandon:
Kirkland Lycar - F, 6’0, 165 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Eastman Selects (Manitoba Bantam Showcase) 11 14 4 18 3
Eastman Selects (WMHA minor midget AAA) 3 1 1 2 0
Team Teal (Manitoba U-16 P.O.E.) 3 0 2 2 0

Kirkland is a goodsized forward. Will play midget AAA for eastman next year

#81. Brandon (from Vancouver in Mackay/Bestland deal, Jan 5, 2011):
Mark Matsuba - D, 5'11", 156 lb GP G A Pts PIM
St. Albert Sabres (AMBHL AAA bantam) 33 11 9 20 51
St. Albert Sabres (St. Albert bantam AAA tournament) 5 0 2 2 10
St. Albert Flyers (AMMHL minor midget AAA) 2 0 0 0 0
Northwest Sharks (Alberta Cup) 5 0 1 1 4

Solid Dman here. Good size and decent skater.

[sbtatter]

Joe, how's our draft performance so far in your estimation? What other teams have done well, and have any made some unexpected picks?

[Joe Hallenback]

#100. Brandon:
Jesse Gabrielle - F, 5'11", 180 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Osseo-Maple Grove Crimson (Minnesota bantam) No Stats
Minnesota (NAPHL 14U) 5 4 2 6 6
Zone 1 (SaskFirst) No Stats

Really interesting selection here. Very good Minnesotan kid here who wants to play Major Junior(expect this more an more). Turns out he was born in Moosimin Sask weird


Our picks so far? Its hard to say. I like the fact they are choosing kids with size already. I think they are going to be leery of kids who are still say 5'5 like Swryipa was who never grew any more.

Lots of skill with the forwards which is always good. Need some bruisers though

[sbtatter]

#100. Brandon:
Jesse Gabrielle - F, 5'11", 180 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Osseo-Maple Grove Crimson (Minnesota bantam) No Stats
Minnesota (NAPHL 14U) 5 4 2 6 6
Zone 1 (SaskFirst) No Stats

Really interesting selection here. Very good Minnesotan kid here who wants to play Major Junior(expect this more an more). Turns out he was born in Moosimin Sask weird


Our picks so far? Its hard to say. I like the fact they are choosing kids with size already. I think they are going to be leery of kids who are still say 5'5 like Swryipa was who never grew any more.

Lots of skill with the forwards which is always good. Need some bruisers though

Do you think Kuczek will be back to add some beef along the blue line? Or has he quit the dub?

[Joe Hallenback]

Do you think Kuczek will be back to add some beef along the blue line? Or has he quit the dub?

I am not sure. It would be nice to have him back for some size and toughness. I am not sure of the rumor that he quit the team etc..

But really were is he going to play on the backend?

Pulock Roy
Nikkel Waltz
Miller Hunter

[Joe Hallenback]

#112. Brandon (from Prince George for Ty Rimmer, Oct 18, 2010):
Mark Taraschuk - D, 5'11", 165 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Winnipeg Warriors (WMHA AAA bantam major) 29 6 5 11 20
Winnipeg Warriors (WMHA minor midget AAA) 1 0 0 0 0
Team Black (Manitoba U-16 P.O.E.) 3 2 0 2 2


I like this kid. Was very good at the u-16 POE. I think he will grow a bit more this up coming year he had such a wide frame.

[Joe Hallenback]

#116. Brandon (from Lethbridge in Anderson/Liston deal, Oct 16, 2011):
Tristan Elder - F, 6'1", 158 lb GP G A Pts PIM
North East Wolfpack (Western Canadian bantam champ.) 5 3 1 4 2
North East Wolfpack (SBAAHL AA bantam) 22 17 19 36 26
Tisdale Trojans (SMAAAHL AAA midget) 8 0 0 0 4
Tisdale Trojans (Macs AAA Midget Tournament) 4 0 0 0 0
Tisdale Trojans (SMAAAHL AAA midget - PLF) 1 0 0 0 0
Zone 8 (SaskFirst) No Stats

Big Kid going to get bigger.

[Joe Hallenback]

#122. Brandon:
Logan Thompson - G, 5'11", 140 lbs GP GAA W L T/OTL SV%
Calgary Bisons (AMBHL AAA bantam) n/a 3.23 9 5 2 0.903
Calgary Bisons (St. Albert bantam AAA tournament) 3 2.22 2 0 0 0.93

Goalie taken. No idea about goalies some of them I would say were going to be the next Pat Roy turn out to by the next Hardy Astrom

[Joe Hallenback]

Wade Allison - F, 5’8, 140 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Pembina Valley Hawks (MB rural AAA bantam) 56 45 50 95 n/a
Pembina Valley Hawks (Manitoba Bantam Showcase) 9 5 2 7 2
Carman Cougars (Zone 4 H.S. (MB)) 3 5 5 10 0
Pembina Valley Hawks (Western Canadian bantam champ.) 5 3 5 8 2

Good little player here

[curwie]

Wade Allison - F, 5’8, 140 lb GP G A Pts PIM
Pembina Valley Hawks (MB rural AAA bantam) 56 45 50 95 n/a
Pembina Valley Hawks (Manitoba Bantam Showcase) 9 5 2 7 2
Carman Cougars (Zone 4 H.S. (MB)) 3 5 5 10 0
Pembina Valley Hawks (Western Canadian bantam champ.) 5 3 5 8 2

Good little player here

Joe, is there a feed that your following to get the updates? I've been trying to follow but cant find anything on the WHL site. Thanks in advance.

Forget it. I found the link to the rounds in the upper right corner. I thought they had only posted round 1.

[sbtatter]

I am not sure. It would be nice to have him back for some size and toughness. I am not sure of the rumor that he quit the team etc..

But really were is he going to play on the backend?

Pulock Roy
Nikkel Waltz
Miller Hunter

He could take over from hunter or miller?

[wheatiesfan]

Good call to whoever was saying Walker would be traded to Stoon way back when the dust from the Braden Schenn trade hadn't yet settled. Whoever it was, your crystalball/sources? were bang on. I really like our defence, goaltending should be good, but Im thinking we will have to win a lot of our games 2-1 or 3-2 instead of the fire wagon shinny we'e been used to over the years. An NHL lockout/strike could change all that but otherwise we will get a chance to see what our young forwards can do. I wouldn't mind seeing Sunder back. In alot of the games I saw, he was one of the top players on the ice who was playing with 3rd liners at times. Think he got a bit of a bad rap from some of us "experts." ;)

[dagley]

I am not sure. It would be nice to have him back for some size and toughness. I am not sure of the rumor that he quit the team etc..

But really were is he going to play on the backend?

Pulock Roy
Nikkel Waltz
Miller Hunter

Kuczek quit the team. He wont be back next season.

[Rye]

He didn't "quit" the team.

Also figured I'd point out that Walker was not hurt during the playoffs ...

[sbtatter]

He didn't "quit" the team.

Also figured I'd point out that Walker was not hurt during the playoffs ...

I think Kuzcek got a bad rap, being forced yo play forward all year was not good for his development. I'll never understand why we traded Proft away when we were short forwards all season, often only 10 healthy ones

[Pecker]

Braylon Shmyr - 5'8" 130lbs 33GP 69P in AAA
Wade Allison - 5'8" 140lbs 56GP 95P in AAA

Am I missing something here? They both seem like pretty similar players as far as points and size goes. How come one is a first round pick and the other one falls to the seventh round??

[Wannago]

Here's a video posted on YouTube that has footage of the 2 players drafted from the Calgary Bisons. Shymr is #19, and Thompson (goalie) is #31, with the solid white pads and mask. Gives you a brief look at these kids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx4q3wX5Wlo

[Rye]

Thompson looks good. Just need to clean up his scrambliness in situations but for the most part he has great position, his angles are good and I love his compete level. He never seems to give up on the play.

[The Wheatiemaniac]

Thompson looks good. Just need to clean up his scrambliness in situations but for the most part he has great position, his angles are good and I love his compete level. He never seems to give up on the play.

Interesting if I was watching the right goalie on the video, he catches right handed. Hanlon and Harding are the only tenders from Wheat Kings past that I remember catching right handed. Am I missing anyone?

[Rye]

You were. This is the video I watched: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmYv3BNJykY&feature=relmfu

[The Wheatiemaniac]

I can hardly wait for two or three years from now as to which ones of these prospects are being scrutinized and which ones are taking on starring roles in Black and Gold. I believe we have developed a good pipeline for the next few years.