Blazers select 10 players in draft

The Blazers have added ten 1999-born players to the hockey club’s protected player list.

The Kamloops Blazers selected defenseman Nolan Kneen with their third overall pick, the highest in franchise history. Kneen is a North Vancouver product and was the first defenseman taken in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

“Nolan is an elite defenseman that has the ability to control a game from the backend,” commented Director of Player Personnel, Matt Recchi. “He has the skillset to contribute at both ends of the ice, and his character and competiveness are evident in his game.”

“We feel we have selected the best defenseman available in the draft,” commented Recchi. “He is a winner and we are proud to welcome Nolan and his family to the Kamloops Blazers organization.”

The Blazers went to Kneen’s defensive partner with their second round pick and selected defenseman Connor McDonald from North Vancouver.

Among the 10 selections, four players are from B.C., four players are from Alberta, one is from Saskatchewan and one is from Minnesota. A brief synopsis on each player chosen:

Player Stats – GP G A PTS PIM
Goalie Stats – GP Record GAA SV%

1st round, 3rd overall
RD - Nolan Kneen
5'11" 165lbs
DOB - March 22, 1999
Hometown - North Vancouver, BC
Team - North Shore Winter Club 69 - 22 - 38 - 60 - 164

2nd round, 24th overall
RD - Connor McDonald
5'10" 170lbs
DOB - May 31, 1999
Hometown - North Vancouver, BC
Team - North Shore Winter Club 70 - 16 - 33 - 49 - 119

3rd round, 47th overall
Used to re-acquire 20-year-old D Brady Gaudet from the Red Deer Rebels.
“Brady is into his fifth WHL season and adds mobility and leadership to our backend,” commented General Manager, Craig Bonner. “He is a tremendous individual and he will improve our power play. We are happy to have him back as a Blazer.”

3rd round, 55th overall (From Kootenay)
C - Erik Miller
5'10" 148lbs
DOB - March 8, 1999
Hometown - Sherwood Park, AB
Team - Sherwood Park Flyers 33 - 27 - 30 - 57 - 72

4th round, 81st overall (From Everett)
F - Kyler Yeo
Heights/Weights - NA
DOB - March 11, 1999
Hometown - Minneapolis, MN
Team - Hill-Murray
Stats - N/A

6th round, 114th overall (Acquired from Vancouver for 20-year-old forward Matt Bellerive)
F - Kyle Bosch
5'9" 150lbs
DOB - January 12, 1999
Hometown - Kindersley, SK
Team - West Central Wheat Kings 30 - 15 - 20 - 35 - 32

7th round, 154th overall (From Prince Albert via Kelowna)
F - Hayden Dick
5'10" 150lbs
DOB - April 13, 1999
Hometown - Kelowna, BC
Team - Okangan Hockey Academy 56 - 19 - 28 - 47 - 79

9th round, 178th overall
F - Logan Ganie
5'9" 150lbs
DOB - June 28, 1999
Hometown - Irma, AB
Team - Lloydminster Heat 31 - 16 - 20 - 36 - 20

10th round, 200th overall
D - Tyrell McCubbing
6'0" 150lbs
DOB - March 31, 1999
Hometown - Red Deer County, AB
Team - Red Deer Bantam AAA 33 - 7 - 13 - 20 - 42

10th round, 201st overall (From Saskatoon)
G - Dane Dow
5'8" 140lbs
DOB - January 4, 1999
Hometown - Rivercourse, AB
Team - Lloydminster Heat 17 16-1-0-0 1.53 .928

11th round, 222nd overall
F - Tyler Ward
5'6" 130lbs
DOB - August 19, 1999
Hometown - Kamloops, BC
Team - Kamloops Jardine Blazers 56 - 34 - 38 - 72 - 38

http://www.blazerhockey.com/article/...l-bantam-picks