CLARKWATCH: Follow news and updates regarding sanctions on Mayor Clark.

Plenty of talent up for grabs in WHL Bantam Draft; Kruger

May 3, 2017 | 1:47 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Eyes of young, eager hockey players will focus squarely on Calgary tomorrow, as all 22 teams make their picks in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft.

The Prince Albert Raiders have the full slate of western Canadian players to choose from with the first overall selection. Meanwhile the Medicine Hat Tigers will have to wait a while until approaching the podium with the 21st pick.

Second last in the selection process is a stark contrast to their 5th overall pick last year, but Tigers Director of Player Development Darren Kruger says that doesn’t affect his preparation.

“We prepare the draft the way we think the draft’s going to go,” he said. “The players that we like… we’ll make sure we have them slotted in the correct position.”

Medicine Hat chose Langley, BC product Josh Williams last year, who ended up playing four games for the Tigers in the 2016-17 season as a call-up. In fact, the 15-year-old tallied his first career goal in his first ever game at the Canalta Centre on February 21st.

The class of 2002-03, which all teams have the joy of plucking from this year, is looking fairly deep this year. Kruger says several players from all over Western Canada are gaining WHL attention.

“Every province has it’s good players,” continued Kruger. “You look a the likes of Kaiden Gulhe, a big, strong, two-way defenceman that had a really solid year (with OHA in Edmonton) and he’s mature beyond his years right now. Connor McClennon and Seth Jarvis are small, gifted goal-scorers that will play with a lot of speed and have good hockey sense.

“There’s a lot of guys in the first round that are really skilled players.”

Adding size was quite evident last year. Four out of the Tigers first five picks all stood taller than 6’0″ which includes 2nd round defenceman Danial Baker at 6’2″ and fellow blue-liner Ryden Fedyck selected in the 4th round at 6’3″.

But Kruger says overall skill and playing ability is the first trait the Tigers will look at when making a selection.

“We want players that have good hockey sense, good compete level, good skill,” he added. “So that’s really what we’re going to focus on this year.”