Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – The Brandon Wheat Kings have signed all three of their first-round selections from the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
Brandon made a splash early on in the draft, trading the 10th overall pick along with ’00 born prospect Sean Comrie to the Kelowna Rockets to move up five spots into the #5 position.
With that pick, the Wheat Kings selected forward Nate Danielson from the Red Deer Bantam Rebels.
Danielson, a native of Red Deer registered 59 points in just 29 games last season and was named the AMBHL’s MVP, Top Forward and Most Sportsmanlike Player.
“He sees the ice well, has a great shot, plays with pace, and that’s what the game is all about right now,” said Director of Scouting Darren Ritchie. “In the league finals in Fort Saskatchewan, I thought he was the best player on the ice.”
With the 6th overall pick, the Wheat Kings stayed in Manitoba taking Tyson Zimmer from Russell, MB.
Zimmer, played at the Okanagan Hockey Academy last winter and scored 22 times, adding 30 assists for 52 points in just 26 games.
“We feel that Zimmer and Danielson are two-thirds of a top line in a couple years," added Ritchie. "Tyson has a great shot that reminds me of Stelio’s. From the 03’s to the 04’s we have the makings of a good team.”
The Wheat Kings wrapped up the first round using the 16th overall pick, acquired from Moose Jaw in the Kale Clague trade, to take speedy forward Rylen Roersma from the Lethbridge Bantam Hawks.
Roersma, who is recovering from a shoulder injury late last season scored 23 times and added 21 assists for 44 points in 29 games last year.
“Rylen is a good player. We are excited to add Rylan to our team," added Ritchie. "He brings speed, he’s a goal scorer and a 200-foot player. We want to be quick and tough to play against and Rylan is that guy.”
All three players took part in Prospects Camp this past weekend at Westoba Place.