The 2012 WHL Bantam Draft has concluded, and the Blazers have added ten players to the hockey club.

The hockey club selected forward Jayden Halbgewachs in the 1st round, 19th overall. The 5’7” forward from Emerald Park, SK played this past season for the Bantam AA Prairie Storm in Balgonie, SK. In 24 games, he finished the season with 55 goals, 34 assists and 89 points.

“We are pleased with the selection of Jayden,” said Director of Player Personnel, Matt Recchi. “He is an exceptional player that we did not expect to be available at 19th overall. Jayden is a dynamic player who can score at will. His vision, skating and determination are all assets that we covet in a player.”

The Blazers made a deal to acquire the 2nd round, 44th overall draft pick by trading a 2nd round pick in 2013 and the 4th round pick in 2012 to Vancouver. With the acquired pick, the hockey club chose Kamloops product Nick Chyzowski. Chyzowski was the captain of the Bantam AAA Kamloops Jardine Blazers. The Blazers did not have a pick in the third round.

In the fourth round, the hockey club used the 77th overall pick on defenseman Cameron Reagen from Sherwood Park, AB. The Blazers next two picks came in the sixth round. Goaltender Cole Kehler was selected 123rd overall, while forward Charlie Gawlicki was chosen with the 129th overall pick. The Blazers selected five players through the first six rounds of the WHL Bantam Draft.

In rounds seven through ten, the Blazers chose five more players. In the seventh round, defenseman Calen Whitworth was selected 151st overall. In the eighth round, forward Josh Stang was chosen 173rd overall. The Blazers traded their 9th round pick in 2013 to Red Deer for their 2012 9th round pick. The Blazers selected centre Tyler Jeanson 184th overall with the acquired pick. In the final pick of the 9th round, the Blazers selected defenseman Mitchell Brennan 195th overall. With the final pick of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, the Blazers chose Larime Kostelansky 209th overall.

The Blazers selected 10 players in the draft, including six forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender. The hockey club’s ten selections were all Canadians spread out through the four western provinces. The Blazers selected two players from Manitoba, two from Saskatchewan, four from Alberta and two from British Columbia.

A brief synopsis on each player chosen:

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

1st Round - 19th Overall
F – Jayden Halbgewachs
5’7” 152lbs
Born – March 22/97
Hometown – Emerald Park, Saskatchewan
Team: Prairie Storm Bantam AA 24 55 34 89 18

2nd Round - 44th Overall
C/LW – Nick Chyzowski
5'11" 165lbs
Born – June 3/97
Hometown – Kamloops, BC
Team: Kamloops Bantam AAA 49 41 42 83 36
*Son of Kamloops Blazers Alumni, Dave Chyzowski*

4th Round – 77th Overall
D – Cameron Reagen
5'11" 167lbs
Born – June 19/97
Hometown – Sherwood Park, AB
Team: Sherwood Park Bantam AAA 30 12 15 27 62

6th Round – 123rd Overall
G – Cole Kehler
6'0" 157lbs
Born – December 17/97
Hometown – Altona, MB
Team: Pembina Valley Bantam AAA 43 33-6-1 2.05 NA

6th Round – 129th Overall
RW – Charlie Gawlicki
5'11" 155lbs
Born – March 1/97
Hometown – Edmonton, AB
Team: Edmonton SSAC Bantam AAA 23 10 13 23 22

7th Round – 151st Overall
D – Calen Whitworth
6'0" 165lbs
Born – April 13/97
Hometown – Surrey, BC
Team: Semiahmoo Bantam AAA 39 0 11 11 NA

8th Round – 173rd Overall
C – Josh Stang
6'1" 167lbs
Born – October 8/97
Hometown – Macklin, SK
Team: West Central Wheat Kings Bantam AA 24 15 18 33 24

9th Round – 184th Overall
C – Tyler Jeanson
5'5" 130lbs
Born – September 16/97
Hometown – Graysville, MB
Team: Pembina Valley Bantam AAA 64 66 70 136 NA

9th Round – 195th Overall
D – Mitchell Brennan
6'1" 154lbs
Born – February 2/97
Hometown - Calgary, AB
Team: Calgary Bronks Bantam AAA 33 3 19 22 58

10th Round – 209th Overall
RW – Larime Kostelansky
6'0" 165lbs
Born – August 5/97
Hometown – Fort Macleod, AB
Team: Lethbridge Bantam AAA 31 13 13 26 70

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