By Mitch Bach

UPDATE: Drafted goaltender excited to join Tigers

May 4, 2017 | 9:41 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Garin Bjorklund is ready to suit up for the orange and black.

The Calgary goaltender was selected 21st overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the first round of the Western Hockey League Bantam Entry Draft on Thursday. He was the first netminder selected in the draft this year.

Speaking to CHAT News Today over the phone from Calgary, Bjorklund said he was proud to be selected by the team and is hoping he can one day put on the jersey.

“To be selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers, it’s a true honour,” said Bjorklund over the phone from Calgary. “Hopefully, I can be able to play for that great organization in the upcoming future.

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“If I crack the lineup as a 16 or 17 year old, or whenever that happens, it would be a dream come true.”

Bjorklund spent the past season with the Calgary Bisons of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL), finishing with a 1.97 goals against average. Most recently, he participated in the Alberta Cup for Team Alberta South, where he was selected as an all-star.

“He’s a tremendous goalie,” said Darren Kruger, director of player development. “He’s got great athleticism, quickness, he thrives under pressure.”

When he first heard his name get called at the draft during the first round, Bjorklund described it as a surreal moment.

“I was thinking maybe a second round (pick), but first-round is even better,” he said, adding he was watching the draft with his family in SE Calgary on his Apple TV.

Bjorkland adds if he is offered a contract with the Tigers, he hopes to bring a high compete level to the team.

“I never give up on a play,” he said. “Just being able to compete with the best of the best players, I find I will bring a lot to the team.”

The Tigers added a total of 13 players during the 2017 draft.

In the second round, the Tigers drafted Scout Truman from the Lethbridge Golden Hawks, who was ranked 10th in scoring in the AMBHL with 32 goals and 34 assists.

In the third round, the Tigers drafted defenceman Ryan Watson from the Delta Hockey Academy. Watson, who stand 5’9” and weighs 145 lbs, collected 14 in 30 games last season.

In the fourth round, the Tigers selected Nolan Danielson from the Red Deer Bantam Rebels. Danielson was the top scorer in the AMBHL with 78 points, and was also voted league MVP last season. Danielson’s teammate, Brett Meerman, was drafted in the fifth round. Meerman had 67 points for the Rebels in the last season.

Also drafted by the Tigers include forward Kadyn Chabot from the Golden Hawks (sixth round, 131st overall), defenceman Austin Dycer from Yorkton Saskatchewan (eighth round, 175th overall), defenceman Brayden Kapty from Coalhurst (ninth round, 197th overall), forward Stephen Rosier from Calgary (10th round, 219th overall), defenceman Tyler Bates from Calgary (11th round, 241st overall), centre Samuel Deckhut from San Diego (12th round, 263rd overall), defenceman Talon Zakall from Kamloops (13th round, 285th overall) and centre Davis Chorney from Nipawin, Saskatchewan (14th round, 307th overall).

Many of the selected players will hit the ice for the Tigers in June for the annual prospects camp. Camp dates have not been finalized.