In the past three years the Lethbridge Hurricanes have managed to land five
draft picks in the first round of the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft. Among
those top picks, Ryan Pilon, Reid Duke, Thomas Lenchyshyn and Giorgio
Estephan.
On May 2nd, 2013 the team is slated to draft
6th overall in this years’ draft which means they’ll land another top
recruit and future Cane. As we get closer to the draft we’ll take a closer look
at what prospects are available and how things are shaping up for Hurricanes
General Manager, Brad Robson and his scouting staff.
Manitoba / Saskatchewan Preview:
Every year, things go in cycles and some years, some
provinces just aren’t as strong as the others. That seems to be the case with
both Manitoba and Saskatchewan this year.
Hurricanes Manitoba Scout, Gary Hanson says
“generally speaking Manitoba isn’t particularly strong. There are close to
half a dozen guys in the first two rounds, more in the middle to late rounds,
but very few defensemen and surprisingly more goalies this year.”
Overall Hanson believes Nolan Patrick is one of those top end
forwards that will likely go top in the top three. He comes from a good hockey
background as his father played for the Wheat Kings and was a 1st
round pick of the Buffalo Sabres. His Uncle is James Patrick who was drafted and
played for the New York Rangers during his time in the NHL. Hanson calls him the
best player out of Manitoba since Jonathan Toews, saying already at 6’2 he’s a
beautiful skater.
After that, Brett Howden (brother of former Moose Jaw Warrior
and 1st round pick of the Florida Panthers, Quinton Howden) is also
eligible for the draft. Hanson says “Brett is a bit of a different player
from Quinton, but as big at the same age, he’s a big power
forward.”
Hurricanes GM, Brad Robson echoes those same
sentiments saying “Howden and Patrick really set themselves apart from the
rest and will go quickly in the draft. After that there is a drop where
approximately eight players will be selected in the second, third or fourth
round.”
Both Hanson and Robson like the goalies that are available.
Robson says “Ryan Kubick is one goalie that could go in the early rounds and
then you have a mix of five others that will go in the third, fourth and fifth
rounds, but I expect the top 13 will go to forwards and goalies with defenseman
going mid-draft.”
Robson added with those two provinces having a bit of an “off
year” this year the depth is definitely from Alberta and BC and it showed at the
Western Bantam Championships. (More on the AB preview to come.) “Saskatchewan
has a lot of the same players as Manitoba although they have some pretty good
players in the second, third and fourth rounds that has our interest. Some of
the players are third and fourth line players, but they work hard and we can
always use players like that” commented Robson.
With the Western Bantams and Sask First tournaments now done,
Robson and his scouts turn their focus to the U16 BC Cup in Salmon Arm, BC from
April 18th – 21st in Salmon Arm, BC.
(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)
Thanks,
Pat
