The Western Hockey Leagues Bantam Draft goes this Thursday in Calgary, with the Brandon Wheat Kings holding down the 8th overall pick. Things have been relatively quiet since the Wheat Kings were eliminated back on March the 30th, so we here at bdnmb.ca thought we would try to provide a little insight into who the Wheat Kings might target with their 1st round pick.
Topping the list would have to be Winnipeg’s Seth Jarvis, a 5’8”, 148 lb forward who played this season for the Rink Hockey Academy out of Winnipeg. Seth put up 66 points in 30 games, including 42 goals. He is ranked as the 5th rated prospect heading into Thursdays draft by Western Elite Hockey Prospects. Their latest newsletter suggests Seth may drop some from his top 5 ranking due to not yet having committed to the WHL, citing the Wheat King organization as having the ability to get him to select the WHL route.
Seth Jarvis – Rink Hockey Academy – Elite offensive abilities, elite skill, elite competitiveness, understands the game exceptionally well and is a competitor. Seth is a student of the game who really listens to input and is constantly learning and incorporating new things in to his game. Seth could use his team-mates more and work on his play away from the puck.
Local product Daemon Hunt also has to be high on the Wheaties wish list. An offensive defensemen he registered 60 points in 38 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings, of the Winnipeg AAA Bantam Hockey League. He has been described as being both very big (6’0”, 190 lbs) and very steady. Ranked 13th overall by Western Elite Hockey Prospects, many wouldn’t be surprised if the Wheat Kings jumped at the chance to land another local skater.
Daemon Hunt – Brandon Wheat Kings – WPG AAA – Daemon is a big defensemen who is very patient and steady. Very solid defensively and can contribute offensively. Had a fantastic year playing in the Winnipeg AAA league by far leading all defensemen in scoring and finishing near the top overall in scoring. The thought is Brandon may select Daemon within the top 10 picks. One of the top offensive defensemen available.
Other candidates for consideration in the first round could include:
Joel Sexsmith, a defensemen from Edmonton, who was teammates with Seth Jarvis at the Rink Hockey Academy this season.
Kyle Crnkovic, a high scoring (79 pts, 30 gms) forward out of the Pursuit of Excellence in British Columbia.
Jake Neighbours, another gifted offensive forward (68pts, 30 gms) out of the Pursuit of Excellence program in BC.
Manitoban’s to watch in later rounds include:
Ty Thorpe, forward, Brandon
Jakob Brook, forward, Roblin
Evan Herman, forward, Oakville,
Carter Loney, forward, Winnipeg
Nolan Ritchie, forward, Brandon,
Landon Roberts, forward, Southwest Cougars
Reese Richmond, defensemen, Forrest
Bray Rookes, defensemen, Elkhorn
Previous First Round Selections
2016 – D – Braden Schneider – 12th overall
2015 – F – Caiden Daley – 22nd overall
2014 – F – Stelio Mattheos – 1st overall
2013 – F – Nolan Patrick – 4th overall
2012 – F – Brayon Shmyr – 12th overall
Previous 11 Bantam Drafts
Average Selection – 12th overall
Highest Selection – 1st in 2014 -Stelio Mattheos
8 forwards, 4 defence, 1 goalie
BC – 1, AB – 5, SK – 4, MB – 4
Players eligible for the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft will be 2002 born players who reside in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
