By Matt Nemeth

All eyes on Makar

Apr 16, 2017 | 6:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — There are a lot of eyes on Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar, and for good reason.

The 18-year-old is the number one ranked blue-liner in North America heading into the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

“We’re here to watch Cale Makar, he’s obviously going to be a high-end draft pick this year,” said Florida Panthers scout Fred Bandel Saturday night before the Bandits second game of the AJHL Final against Whitecourt.

When it comes to what makes Makar such a special player, Bandel has a laundry list of attributes.

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“His agility and his skating, it’s exceptional. His puck handling ability, the way he approaches the game, his feel for the game and also the intensity with which he brings to the game.”

Makar has the chance to set an AJHL record come June by becoming the highest NHL Draft pick in league history, which is currently held by Joe Colborne of the Colorado Avalanche who was drafted 16th overall in 2008 by Boston.

“It would definitely be a proud moment for the league,” says AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk, who adds the UMass commit has both raised the profile of the league and helped attract more top notch talent to it.

“Guys like (Tyson) Jost and (Dante) Fabbro last year in Penticton have kind of paved the way, and Cale this year is doing the same thing.”

The highly-touted prospect racked up 75 points during the AJHL regular season — 23 more than the next best defenceman. The Calgary native says he’s trying to put aside all the attention he’s getting and what could be on the horizon for him, but admits it’s not the easiest thing to do.

“I’m trying not to worry about it but it’s pretty hard when you know that you’ve got the combine and the draft coming up,” said Makar following his team’s 3-0 win in Game 2 over the Wolverines. “It’s a childhood dream of mine to get drafted into the NHL.”

Makar’s head coach and Bandits GM Ryan Papaioannou says the young star has been handling the pressure of the NHL Entry Draft spotlight well.

“We’ve had him meeting with teams before games, after games, and I think that’s all in the process for him,” says Papaioannou. “He’s going to get to go through it once so we’ve just tried to guide him and let him know it’s a special thing and he doesn’t need to feel any pressure. He’s in a position that everybody would kill to be in so he might as well just enjoy it.”

Something Makar, at times, allows himself to do as this answer about his plans for June 23 — the first day of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft — shows.

“My parents a couple weeks ago had just booked the tickets. I’m trying not to look to it obviously, but it’s tough not to get excited.”