Notre Dame D-man could to go No. 1
By Tyler Neisz, Special to The StarPhoenix
April 29, 2009
The annual WHL bantam draft is scheduled for Thursday in Edmonton. The StarPhoenix recruited scout Tyler Neisz of hockeyprospect.com to compile a mock draft.
The following list does not reflect the actual player rankings of hockeyprospect.com. Neisz considered a number of variables, including team needs.
1. PORTLAND WINTER HAWKS
D Morgan Rielly, 5-11, 168, Notre Dame bantam
Blends excellent offensive and defensive instincts. Has a very quick, active stick as well as great lateral movement and elusiveness. Named top defenceman at a pair of major tournaments.
Stats: 23 GP, 25-27-52, 8 PIMs
2. MOOSE JAW WARRIORS
D Derrick Pouliot, 5-10, 165, Weyburn Wings bantam
Has tremendous puck-moving ability and offensive instincts to jump into the play. Controls the play when he's on the ice and has a very good, accurate shot.
Stats: 26GP, 25-38-63, 24 PIMs
3. CHILLIWACK BRUINS
D Griffin Reinhart, 6-4, 205, Hollyburn (B.C.) midget AAA
Son of former NHL blue-liner Paul Reinhart is a shutdown defenceman with a decent amount of skill sprinkled in. Brother Max plays for the Kootenay Ice.
Stats: Unavailable
4. RED DEER REBELS
D Matt Dumba, 5-11, 165, Calgary Bronks bantam
Big, hard-hitting defenceman has good speed and a very hard shot. Vocal player also leads by example with thunderous hits and offensive rushes.
Stats: 33GP, 20-18-38, 96 PIMs
5. REGINA PATS
F Mike Winther, 5-9, 155, Airdrie (Alta.) bantam
Fantastic skater has great acceleration and explosive offensive instincts. His Xtreme team won the western Canadian bantam championship.
Stats: 32GP, 40-23-63, 48 PIMs
6. PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS
F Tayler Balog, 5-111/2, 176, Weyburn Wings bantam
Has a nose for the net and a very accurate shot. He finds holes in the opposing goalie's game.
Stats: 26 GP, 44-32-76, 34 PIMs
7. PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
F Connor Rankin, 6-0, 185, North Shore (B.C.) bantam
Tenacious worker on and off the ice and exudes confidence in the offensive zone. Has the size and skating ability to excel in the WHL.
Stats: Unavailable
8. EVERETT SILVERTIPS
F Chandler Stephenson, 5-8, 160, Saskatoon Generals bantam
Sees the ice very well, makes plays, shoots accurately, hits hard and plays well in the corners.
Stats: Unavailable
9. EDMONTON OIL KINGS
D Nicolas Walters, 6-0, 160, St. Albert (Alta.) Sabres bantam
Strong, quick skater, has very good hands. Defensively, he always seems to get the puck out along boards.
Stats: 32GP, 4-24-28, 68 PIMs
10. KAMLOOPS BLAZERS
D Kade Pilton, 6-2, 175, Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy (Kelowna)
Very calm with the puck. Improved his skating this season despite a big growth spurt. He's improved all aspects of his game at a fast rate.
Stats: MVP of St. Albert tournament
11. EVERETT SILVERTIPS (From Lethbridge)
D Seth Jones, 6-2 170, Dallas Stars bantam
Jones's hockey sense is extremely high for a player this age. Shot is well above average and he's capable of anchoring a power play.
Stats: Unavailable
12. SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS
D Reid Gow, 5-10, 150, Killarney Stars (Man.) bantam
Great vision and moves the puck well. Great offensive defenceman with huge upside.
Stats: Directors Cup -- 4GP, 0-7-7, 0 PIMs.
13. KOOTENAY ICE
F Jason Siebert, 6-0, 180, Abbotsford (B.C.) bantam
Plays a very hard-nosed game and hits hard. Shoots the puck well and can dominate games.
Stats: Western bantam championship -- 4GP, 5-1-6, 4 PIMs
14. MEDICINE HAT TIGERS
LW Tristan Sieben, 5-8, 155, Edmonton MLAC bantam
A goal-scoring machine with elusiveness and the ability to weave through traffic to create chances.
Stats: 33GP, 34-17-51, 60 PIMs
15. SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS
F Steve Hodges, 5-11, 160, South Delta (B.C.) bantam
Makes quick decisions and has a good one-timer. Not afraid to go after the puck along the boards. Great under-the-radar talent.
Stats: Unavailable
16. SPOKANE CHIEFS
D Shayne Gwinner, 5-11 148, Airdrie Xtreme (Alta.) bantam
Plays very composed style and doesn't really do anything flashy, but has some offensive upside.
Stats: 32GP, 5-12-17, 74 PIMs
17. KELOWNA ROCKETS
D Josh Smith, 5-10, 170, Red Deer Black (Alta.) bantam
Combines skill, a hard shot from the point and big-time grit. Has the ability to intimidate opponents with his aggressive style.
Stats: Unavailable
18. BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
D Brett Cote, 6-0, 165, Springfield (Man.) bantam
Fluid skater keeps his legs moving through all three zones. Hits hard, skates well and is a versatile defenceman.
Stats: Unavailable
19. TRI-CITY AMERICANS
F Levi Bews, 5-10, 150, Notre Dame bantam
Combines good skating ability with intensity. Sometimes it looks like he wants to steamroll opponents and drive them through the boards.
Stats: 25GP, 33-32-65, 46 PIMs
20. SASKATOON BLADES
F Trent Geiger, 5-9, 150, Calgary Royals bantam
Talented forward works hard and leads by example. He is the captain of his team and is very good in all facets of the game.
Stats: 31GP, 17-40-57, 46 PIMs
21. VANCOUVER GIANTS
F Shea Howorko, 6-2, 170, Notre Dame bantam
Big forward has a knack for getting open and firing accurate shots on goal. His shot is already at a midget/WHL level.
Stats: 23 GP, 22-21-43, 41 PIMs
22. CALGARY HITMEN
F Brandon Troock, 6-0 160, Edmonton CAC bantam
Big, power forward with a heavy shot. Needs to work on his consistency, but there is no denying this talent and his "bull in a china shop" style.
Stats: 32GP, 21-28-49, 82 PIM
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