The annual crapshoot known as the WHL bantam draft was held today. The Pats Director of Scouting Todd Ripplinger told us on SportZone this week that speed and skill were Regina's top priorities in selecting players this year. Here's a look at the top few picks made by the Pats:
With their 1st pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, the Regina Pats have selected centre Dominick Favreau 13th overall.
Favreau, the native of Martensville, SK, played this past season with the Martensville Bantams. In 54 games with Martensville, Favreau collected 43 goals and added 58 assists for 101 points. He also compiled 70 penalty minutes.
“Dominick has great skill and speed, he competes hard every night, and is a tremendous athlete” commented Pats Head Scout Todd Ripplinger.
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With their 2nd selection in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, the Regina Pats traded 2nd round picks with the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings in order to select left winger Graham Hood with the 23rd overall pick. The Pats also sent their 3rd round pick, 57th overall, along with Expansion Considerations to the Oil Kings in the deal.
Hood, a native of Martensville, SK, played this past season with the Martensville Bantams. In 51 games with Martensville, Hood collected 61 goals and added 53 assists for 114 points. He also compiled 120 penalty minutes.
“Graham is a big power forward who likes to take the puck to the net. He collected tremendous numbers this season” offered Pats Head Scout Todd Ripplinger.
3rd Round
LD – Justin Slobozian 5’11 165lbs
2006-07 Team: Dauphin Bantams
GP: 26 Goals: 17 Assists: 15 Points: 32 PIM: 68
Hometown: Dauphin, MB
4th Round
C – Jordan Weal 5’8 140lbs
2006-07 Team: Notre Dame Hounds
GP: 32 Goals: 47 Assists: 55 Points: 102 PIM: 36
Hometown: North Vancouver, BC
5th Round
G – Derek Tendler 5’11 210lbs
2006-07 Team: Regina Oilers
GP: 18 Save %: .920 GAA: 2.87 SO: 0
Hometown: Regina, SK
7th Round
C – Andrew Reider 6’1” 160lbs
2006-07 Team: Regina Canucks
GP: 25 Goals: 15 Assists: 18 Points: 33 PIM: 42
Hometown: Regina, SK
1 comment:
Hi Pete - The news and comments around the WHL draft were sketchy this year, moreso than last year. Last year the LP put in a blurb and scouting comment on each kid which was nice.
The Bantam draft is a real crap shoot to be sure and only a few ever materialize. I am beginning to think the OHL has it right with the midget draft. Giving teams a year or two more to observe kids would pay large dividends. It would cut down on the graveyard of kids drafted and cut from the list a few months later. It would allow small kids who were not drafted time to grow. It would allow teams to watch kids at the next level of hockey to see if they are in fact players. It would take a lot of the guess work out of the mix. I think the early draft ruins many kids. Many who are not drafted become discouraged, many who were drafted stop putting out and are eventually dropped. I know the drafts would be a lot different if teams had two more years to observe. Iginla, Doan, Tucker and Lupul were never drafted.!
I am more interested to see what kind of Euro draft the Pats participate in and who they get. There obviously must be some trades and I am sure there will. They will also have to beat the bushes to find a hidden gem or two.
The Vancouver Giants appear to be peaking at the right time. To shut the Hat out 1-0 in their own barn tells you how good those guys really are. Sadly it also shows how far away the likes of the Pats are from reaching that level. These guys get to pick last in each round of the draft and yet still find superior talent. It shows what good scouting can do for you.
OLD FAN
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