Chiefs' Selections at WHL Bantam Draft

The Spokane Chiefs selected 11 players in Thursday's Annual WHL Bantam Draft, including Calgary center Tanner MacMaster with the 19th overall selection. In total, the Chiefs selected six forwards, including Spokane native Justin Loepker in the sixth round, four defenseman and one goaltender.

"We had a great day," Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Chris Moulton said. "We didn't have an agenda going into the draft, just to take the best players available and we are extremely happy to get the guys that we did."

The 5’8” MacMaster scored 42 goals and 92 points in 32 games last season with the Calgary Bisons of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL). He was third in the league in scoring and helped the Bisons to a second place finish in the Alberta Provincial Championships.

“Tanner is a dynamic forward with great vision, skating ability and leadership qualities,” said. “He uses his speed to help create offense, which he did a lot this year. Tanner is a threat whenever he is on the ice and plays with a ton of compete. We’re excited that he is now a part of the Chiefs’ organization.”

Rhett Gardner, a 6’1” center from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, was Spokane’s second round pick, 41st overall. Gardner’s 27 goals with the Moose Jaw Warriors were the second highest total in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League. He added 14 assists for 41 total points and recorded 84 penalty minutes in 22 games.

"Rhett is a big kid with very good hands and is the type of player that will make those around him better." Moulton said. "He is a real power forward type of player," Moulton said.

Spokane then selected Markson Bechtold, another 6'1" center, with their third round pick. Bechtold scored 22 goals, 38 points and had 70 penalty minutes in 31 games with Okotoks of the AMBHL in 2010-11.

"Markson makes plays, has good hockey sense and skill level. He competes hard for the puck, has a nose for the net and gets involved physically," Moulton said.

The Chiefs took their first defenseman in Corey Dambrauskas with a fourth round pick. Dambrauskas had seven goals and 18 points in 33 games with the Calgary Royal Gold in the AMBHL.

"Corey plays hard, has skill and is a well rounded defenseman who will play in all three zones," Moulton said. "He is a hard guy to play against."

Kyle Clayton, "a tall defenseman who plays with some bite, will finish his checks and makes a good first pass," was Spokane's fifth round pick. The 6'1" blueliner played 57 games with the Abbotsford Hawks AAA Bantam club this year.

Loepker was the captain of the Spokane Bantam AAA team and was taken with the 129th overall selection. He led the Jr. Chiefs in scoring with 69 goals and 111 points in 62 games.

"The thing about Justin is his consistency and how he leads by example," Moulton said. "He goes right at the opposition, takes pucks to the net and is a good skater with an extra gear."

Former Chief Cam Severson, the head coach of the Jr. Chiefs, said about his captain, "Justin has an unmatched work ethic and compete level to go along with loads of skill. He has what it takes to play in the league."

With their first of two seventh round picks Spokane took Matthew Sozanski, a teammate of MacMasters with the Calgary Bisons. Sozanski is a 5'9" defenseman that is "poised, a good communicator and very intelligent," Moulton said.

Jacob Cardiff, a 5'9" forward from Wilcox, Saskatchewan, was their next pick in the seventh round.

"Jacob's game took huge strides throughout the year," Moulton said. "He has good hands, a smooth skating stride and a good sense on how the game should be played."

In the ninth round Spokane selected their only goaltender of the draft, 6'2" Trevor Martin from Ardossan, Alberta. He posted a 2.78 goals against average and .919 save percentage with Sherwood Park of the AMBHL.

"Trevor is a big goalie who is very athletic. He will challenge the shooter and takes up a lot of the net," Moulton said.

Mitchell Barker, a left wing from Kamloops, B.C., was the first of two 10th round selections. "Mitchell is a smart, well rounded player with good leadership skills. He has a lot of compete in his game."

Colton Bobyk, a 5'10" defenseman, was selected with their next pick. "Colton makes good decisions with the puck, jumps into the play and has good offensive instincts," Moulton said.

http://www.spokanechiefs.com/article...r-in-1st-round