In keeping with the trend of the previous two seasons (Rourke Chartier in 2011 and Nick Merkley in 2012), the Kelowna Rockets opted for a smaller, smooth skating, skilled centre with their first choice in the 2013 WHL bantam draft.

With the 21st choice overall, the Rockets selected Dillon Dube, from Cochrane, Alta., who played last season with the Notre Dame bantam AAA Hounds in Wilcox, Sask.

The 5-foot-8, 155-pound Dube scored 24 goals and 50 points in 26 games with the Hounds, who played up a level in the Saskatchewan midget league.

"I think he's a dynamic player who has great skill," said Rockets director of scouting Lorne Frey after making the selection. "He's a tremendous skater and he's going to be an exciting player to watch and that's what you want—to put people in the building with exciting players."

"He's developed quite nicely in Notre Dame and we're quite pleased," said Frey, who is expected to draft up to 11 players today.

With their second pick, 43rd overall, the Rockets added to its stable of young defenceman with the selection of Cal Foote from the Colorado Thunderbirds bantam program.

The 5-foot-9, 140-pound Foote is the son of former NHL defenceman Adam Foote and has been coached by his Dad throughout his minor hockey career.

Rockets assistant coach Dan Lambert, who played with the elder Foote in both the AHL and NHL, said Cal Foote has excellent pedigree and potential to become an elite junior defenceman.

"He plays like a young pro, he defends well and has a great first pass," said Lambert. "You can tell his dad Adam did a great job coaching him and you can tell he's been around pro hockey his whole life."

In the third round, the Rockets took Jordan Borstmayer, a 5-foot-11, 155-pound forward from Melfort, Sask.

In round 4, the Rockets took Kole Lind, a forward from Shaunavon, Sask., who played last season in Swift Current.

The Rockets had two choices in the sixth round: Ryan Hall, a 6-foot-3 goaltender from Winnipeg, and Jeffrey Stewart, a forward from Semiamhoo.

In the eighth round, the Rockets selected defenceman Connor Bowey from Winnipeg, the younger brother of current Kelowna blue liner Madison Bowey.

The Rockets made two choices in the ninth round: Garrett Kuklica, a defenceman from Winnipeg, and Braydyn Chizen, a 6-foot-3 defenceman from St. Albert, Alta.

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