The Kamloops Blazers picked ten players in the first six rounds of the 2020 WHL Bantam draft on Wednesday – five defensemen and five forwards.
That includes defenceman Kaden Hammell, a Langley native, who was drafted 19th overall by the Blazers. A product of the West Van Academy Bantam Prep, Hammell put up 41 points (12 goals and 29 assists) in 29 games in the 2019/20 season.
“We are very excited to get Kaden. He can play the game anyway you like,” said Blazers Director of Player Personnel, Robbie Sandland. “Great skill, he moves the puck well. He’s great both ways offensively and defensively, and he also has an edge to him.”
In the second round, the Blazers took forward Grayden Slipec, also of the West Van Academy Bantam Prep team, with the 27th pick. The Surrey native put up 73 points (26 goals and 47 assists) in 30 games last season.
“He’s a dynamic forward, dual threat with the puck in the offensive zone.” Sandland added. “He can make plays at speed, and is dangerous off the rush. Really fun player to watch. We are thrilled to get him.”
Both Blazers picks were teammates with 2020 WHL first round pick Connor Bedard and fellow Blazers prospect Fraser Minten during the 2018/19 season on the West Van Bantam Prep team.
In the third round, the Blazers took Saskatoon forward Luke Korte with the 52nd pick. He too was part of the West Van Academy Bantam Prep team last year, and put up 59 points (19 goals and 40 assists) in 28 games last season.
“Luke is a highly skilled forward, really elusive in the offensive zone,” said Sandland. “He makes players around him better. He’s got a great touch with the puck, and plays on his toes.”
Hammell, Slipec, and Korte were three of the top-five players in team scoring for West Van Academy last season.
Also in the third round the Blazers drafted Langley defenceman Ryan Michael 62nd overall. He played for the Yale Bantam Prep program in Abbotsford.
In the fourth round, the Blazers picked Abbotsford forward Emmitt Finnie from Yale Bantam Prep and defenseman Rylan Pearce from Martensville, Saskatchewan with the 82nd and 85th pick.
Edmonton native Kai Matthew was the Blazers fifth round selection 107th overall, while the team picked three players in the sixth round – forward Cooper Conway, and defencemen Blake Jones and Lenny Greenberg.
Conway is from Andover, Minnesota, Jones is a Winnipeg native and Greenberg is from El Segundo, California.
General Manager Matt Bardsley then traded the team’s seventh round pick to Moose Jaw for a seventh round selection in 2022. He also sent the eighth and ninth round picks to Everett for an eighth round pick in 2022 and a ninth round pick in 2021.
The ten players will join forward Drew Stewart and goaltender Calvin Vachon, who were both taken in the inaugural US prospects draft at the end of March.
19th overall! Welcome Kaden!
pic.twitter.com/3dmJzXKlKf
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) April 22, 2020
Boom! 2nd round! 27th overall
Welcome Grayden!— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) April 22, 2020
