Sawyer Mynio. (Photo via Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds)
The Vancouver Canucks have taken Kamloops native Sawyer Mynio in the third round, 89th overall of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Mynio, a six-foot-one defenceman, put up 31 points (five goals and 26 assists) in 68 regular games with the Seattle Thunderbirds last season.
He followed that up with a goal and three assists in the playoffs as Seattle steamrolled their way to the WHL title, and an appearance in the Memorial Cup Final in Kamloops.
“It’s amazing. It’s a great organization. I live to close to Vancouver so it’s pretty surreal to be here in this moment,” Mynio said. “They’re probably one of my top three teams that I had interest in. Obviously close to home, its amazing.”
“I watched them growing up. I have a lot of friends and family in Vancouver too, so its definitely cool.”
Welcoming BC’s own Sawyer Mynio! 👋#NHLDraft | @ToyotaPacific pic.twitter.com/o1JnJP7FBA
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 29, 2023
Hey @Canucks fans, meet Kamloops, B.C.’s Sawyer Mynio!@SeattleTbirds | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/ajcqVHkr1v
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 29, 2023
McBride native, Tanner Molendyk, who played some of his minor hockey in Kamloops, was a first round pick of the Nashville Predators, taken 24th overall on Wednesday evening.
Molendyk put up 37 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 67 games with the Saskatoon Blades last season.
“Not going to lie, I don’t remember even walking down the stairs. I think I was shaking too much but I think, I don’t know, this place is awesome,” Molendyk said in a post-draft media availability.
“I mean just walking around and seeing all the people singing and screaming every night, it seems like a lot of fun here.”
WATCH 📽️ | @BladesHockey defenceman Tanner Molendyk meets the media after being selected 24th overall by the @PredsNHL in the 2023 #NHLDraft.https://t.co/IiMi5dFGtg
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 29, 2023
The Kamloops Blazers had two players – Emmitt Finnie and Connor Levis – chosen in the seventh round of the draft, making it 12 straight years with at least one player drafted into the National Hockey League.
