ROYALS SELECT 10 PLAYERS IN THE 2012 WHL BANTAM DRAFT
Victoria has a successful day including drafting first ever hometown
player.
Calgary, AB – The Victoria
Royals are proud to announce that they have selected 10 players in the 2012 WHL
Bantam Draft which included two first round draft picks.
Victoria native and goaltender Markus Daly became the
Royals’ first local draftee and one of three BC born players chosen. Alberta
supplied Victoria with four picks while two Saskatchewan products and one
American (Oregon) selection rounded out the Royals’ 2012 draft class. By
position, Victoria picked up five forwards, four defencemen and one goaltender.
“Every draft you look back on what you’ve done as soon
as it’s over,” Director of Scouting Garry Pochipinski said. “While the draft is
still fresh in our minds, our staff are very pleased with this year’s
selections and the players are genuinely excited to be a part of the Royals
organization.”
Round 1
Victoria began the day by choosing centre Tyler Soy
with the 8th overall selection. The Surrey, BC native spent the
2011-12 season as captain of the Cloverdale Colts Bantam A1-T1 team where he
amassed 65 points (24g-41a) in just 20 games played. The 5-11, 160 lb forward
was named Tournament MVP and Top Forward of the John Reid Memorial Tournament
in St. Albert, AB where he led the Colts with 20 points (9g-11a) on route to a
tournament victory.
“Tyler
is an offensively dynamic player who possesses leadership skills and we view
him as the total package,” Pochipinski said.
With the 13th overall pick in the first
round, the Royals selected defenceman Chaz Reddekopp. The West Kelowna, BC
native skated with the Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Team 1 where he collected
59 points (18g-41a) along with 72 penalty minutes. The 6’2, 188 Ib defenceman
also participated in nine games with the Pursuit of Excellence Midget Team 3
where he recorded seven points (2g-5a) and eight minutes in penalties.
"We
had Chaz rated as the top defenceman in the draft," Pochipinski said,
"and to have him still available at 13 was both surprising and great
news.”
Round
2
Victoria
took forward Regan Nagy with the 27th overall pick. The Ogema, SK
resident dressed for the Weyburn Energy Wings Bantam AA team in 2011-12 where
he scored 46 points (30g-16a) and had 77 penalty minutes in 23 games played.
The 5-11, 148 lb Nagy also played four games with the Moose Jaw Generals Midget
AAA team.
“Regan
is an exceptional player in all areas of the ice," Pochipinski said.
"In my mind, he's a very special player that we were thrilled to get at
the 27th spot. Regan is a very intelligent player who has great vision and a
good shot."
Round
3
The
Royals used their 49th overall pick to select Matthew Campese. Born
in Prince Albert, SK, Campese is the son of Prince Albert Raiders’ General
Manager Bruno Campese. The 5’10, 167 lb forward played for his hometown Venice
House Raiders Bantam AA team where he notched 53 points (32g-21a) along with 98
penalty minutes in 23 games last season.
“Matthew
is a natural born leader who possesses a very high compete level,” Pochipinski
commented. “He led his team to a number of post-season upsets which speaks to
not only his talent but his leadership ability.”
Round
4
Victoria
selected Edmonton, AB native Matthew Dykstra at the 71st overall
position of the draft. In 2011-12, the 6-1, 170 lb centre from Edmonton’s
Canadian Athletic Club Bantam AAA team collected 34 points (16g-18a) and 86
penalty minutes over 33 contests in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.
“Matthew
is a hard-working power forward that loves to go to the net,” Pochipinski
emphasized. “Matthew is also a very committed player which will serve him well
as his career progresses.”
Round
5
Victoria
native Markus Daly was taken with the 93rd overall pick in the draft
to become the first ever hometown draft pick in franchise history. The 5’11,
165 lb Victoria Racquet Club Bantam Team 1 netminder posted a 1.73 goals
against average and a 2-1 record before being named team MVP at the 2011 Rick
Lapointe Memorial Bantam Showcase Tournament.
“Markus
is highly regarded by our scouting staff,” Pochipinski said. “He is a very
sound goaltender in all areas that competes hard to make every save.”
Round
6
Victoria
drafted their first USA born player in Hermiston, OR native Keith Anderson with
the 115th overall pick. The 6-0, 200 lb right winger dressed for the
Phoenix Firebirds. Anderson participated in the Wild West Showdown Tournament
in Phoenix, AZ where he recorded 10 points (4g-6a) and five penalty minutes
through six games played. He also notched four goals and four penalty minutes
during the Phoenix Firebird Invitational.
“Keith
is a power forward that brings another dimension to the game with his size and
skill,” Pochipinski said, “he really impressed us at the Los Angeles U.S.
Prospects Camp.”
Round
7
The
Royals used the 137th pick to draft defenseman Devon Brooks from
Edmonton’s Southside Athletic Club Bantam AAA team. The 5-10, 150 lb resident
of Edmonton, AB played in 33 games last season, recording 23 points (4g-19a)
along with 34 penalty minutes.
“Devon
is a very steady defenceman with good vision that continually demonstrates the
ability to make the right decisions,” Pochipinski described.
Round
8
Victoria’s
eighth round pick was traded to the Spokane Chiefs in 2010 by the Chilliwack
Bruins in exchange for centre T.C. Cratsenberg.
Round 9
With the 181st pick, the Royals selected
Calgary, AB born defenceman Oliver Lester. The 5-11, 155 lb rearguard played
with the Calgary Bisons Bantam AAA team where he appeared in 30 games,
collecting 16 points (3g-13a) and 44 penalty minutes.
“Oliver stood out to us as a real character player,”
Pochipinski said, “he is an intelligent hockey player with good puck skills and
skates well.”
Round 10
At the 203rd overall position, Victoria
selected defenceman Brendan Grier from Calgary, AB. The 6-5, 197 lb Grier
dressed for the Calgary Northstars Bantam AAA team in 2011-12 where he recorded
one assist and 44 penalty minutes in 23 games played.
“Brendan’s size is a clear advantage,” Pochipinski
stated, “but he also moves the puck very well and is a really tough individual
to play against.”
The Royals passed on their remaining picks of the 2012
WHL Bantam Draft at 225th (11th round), 247th
(12th round), 269th (13th round), 291st
(14th round) and 313th (15th round).
