Holding the 12th overall selection for the first time since 2022, when they selected Joby Baumuller, the Brandon Wheat Kings hope they’ve found another future star, this time on defense.
With the 12th pick, their first in the draft, the Wheat Kings selected defenseman Cruz Jim from the Northern Alberta Xtreme in the CSSHL U15 ranks. And Jim was dynamite in the prep school circuit with 66 points in 35 games.
“Our group is really, really excited about it,” said head coach and GM Marty Murray. “We had him much higher than we got him at twelve and we feel really fortunate to get him. He’s a puck-moving defenseman that can run a power play and he checks a lot of boxes for what our needs are.”
Jim’s 66 points not only led both his team and the entire CSSHL U15 in scoring by a defenseman, they were the second-highest total by a defenseman in league history. His 53 assists also set a league record.
“We had him very high in the draft, a lot higher than 12th,” said Director of Hockey Operations Chris Moulton. “We can honestly and realistically tell you we thought there was zero chance we were getting this young man. The fact we got him is a really great surprise and we’re excited to have such a talented defenseman join our group.”
Initially, the 12th pick was set to be the first of a pair of first-rounders by the Wheat Kings. In a bold, statement trade, however, they moved that pick as part of a package to acquire Luke Mistelbacher and Grayson Burzynski from the Swift Current Broncos.
The Wheat Kings still hold their own second-round pick in the WHL prospect’s draft, and the first overall pick in the U.S. Priority Selection.
