Draft Review

Draft Day Recap Players Selected

The Wheaties selected ten players in this year’s 15. Jake Chiasson (RHF) – BC WHL Draft, including players from all four 24. Brett Hyland (LHF) - AB Provinces. Yale Lions Jake Chiasson 37. Dylan James (LHW) - AB Was the top selection at 15, as he recorded 41. Jacob Hoffrogge (LHD) – SK 20 goals and 48 assists on one of the top 59. Cabrel Labossiere (LHF) – MAN academies in the CSSHL. Chiasson projects as 95. Owen Weihs (LHF) - MAN a top scoring , and will play a 101. Logan Hammett (LHD) – SK complimentary role alongside . 108. Jaxon Dube (LHF) – AB Brandon went on to snag two high end scoring 125. Tyler Teasdale (RHD) - MAN wingers in Brett Hyland and Dylan James. 177. Charlie Larsen (RHD) - USA Both second round selections were over point per game players on their Winter Clubs and have opportunities to step into Major Midget or Midget Prep next season. Jacob Hoffrogge was the first defender taken as the native made a strong impression at the SaskFirst Tournament in December, and continued to improve down the stretch. Cabrel Labossiere was selected in the third, a strong, rangy scoring forward who has good potential as a middle six contributor in a few years. Owen Weihs of Rink Academy was taken at 95, the 5’9 winger recorded 21 goals and 18 assists in CSSHL regular season action. Highly touted Regina Logan Hammett fll to the team at 101, and with a year playing Major Midget in Regina he may be a player to keep an eye on. Jaxon Dube of St. Albert continued to improve and mature physically towards the end of the season, earning himself a high selection at 108 overall. A pair of right handed defenders were scooped up with the Kiings remaining picks. Teasdale, a defenceman from , and Charlie Larsen a highly touted American blue liner will need to continue developing, but have potential to play a depth role in the future. The Wheaties did a good job adding balance to the forward core, and moving forward will have a high tempo, skilled group of forwards suiting up nightly.

Player Analysis and Insight

15th Overall: Jake Chiasson – Yale Lions

Brandon opened up there 2017-2018 draft class with the selection of Yale Lion’s Jake Chiasson. Chiasson spent this past season on a line with 5th overall pick Logan Stankoven, where he benefited from being a complimentary winger to one of the best playmakers in the draft. Producing 68 points in 30 games this past season with the Bantam Preps. Jake is smart winger who knows where to go to be successful, he can play the game at many different paces and loves to score and to set guys up. Great knowledge and poise in the offensive zone. Jake has all the intangibles abilities to be a locker room leader and a potential captain one day for Brandon.

24th Overall: Brett Hyland – NAX Academy

Often found this past season on a line with 1st overall pick Dylan Guenther and expected 2019 1st overall pick Matthew Savoie, Hyland’s game excelled in more of a two-way physical type of role. A fearless forward who plays a 200ft game, can create a offense deep in the zone, a guy who really takes the physical workload off of the skill guys on the line and opens up the ice for his line mates. Was expected to go in the first round. Loved this pick for Brandon, another kid who brings leadership qualities and loves the game of hockey. Bodes well to be a top six two-way winger at the WHL level.

37th Overall: Dylan James – Bisons

Like Chiasson and Hyland, Dylan James found himself on a line this past season with a high end prospect in the seventh overall pick in Jayden Grubbe. A dynamic and fearless forward who brings a lot of similar qualities as previous pick Brett Hyland. James has excellent speed down the wing and hard to contain lateral abilities. He is outstanding in forcing pressure on puck carriers and creating turnovers with a good angle to the play and deceptive carrying of speed. Isn’t a big kid but not afraid of the physical play once so ever. Expect James and Hyland to anchor wings in the Brandon Wheat Kings top six by age 18-19.

41st Overall: Jacob Hoffrogge – Saskatoon Outlaws

Spent a couple of games this past season with the Saskatoon Contacts of the SMHL, Hoffrogge is a bit of a smaller defenseman who makes you forget everything you know about how big a player should be. Plays a defensive and physical game, loves to step up and make hits on guys. Has a great first pass out of his zone and you see at times the offensive upside to his game. Hoffrogge is expected to be more of a middle pairing defender, isn’t afraid to play with an edge, a dependable player in his defensive zone and with the puck on his stick. Liked the pick a lot as he will likely need a couple years to make the step but should be a lock on the roster at age 17 and will have an immediate impact at the Midget level next season.

59th Overall: Cabrell Labossiere – Eastman Selects

Another player selected by Brandon with leadership qualities and loves to play physical, Labossiere was captain for his Eastman Selects this past season and led his team in scoring with 56 points in 32 games played. Has a competitive edge to his game, and utilizes his frame in offensive situations. Protects the puck well, has great vision with the puck and can create offense under pressure. Labossiere has that blend of size and skill that teams love, expected to be in impact player next year in the Winnipeg Midget league.

95th Overall: Owen Weihs – RHA Nationals

One of the top forwards on his RHA Nationals squad this past season, Weih is another forward who doesn’t possess great size but has a crafty and vast tool set that lets him be effective in many areas. Has a deadly smooth release on his shot and canget it off when he has the time to. Plays the game hard and the way it should be played, loves to score goal. Can play well in his defensive zone as well. Think he has the potential to be a middle six winger at the WHL level.

101st Overall: Logan Hammett – Regina Monarchs

Was the real anchoring defenseman on one of the top teams in the SBAAHL South division. We expected Hammett to be a top four round pick with his mobility and physical tools, along with his ability to be imposing in all areas of the game and manage the game from the back end. Still fairly raw in terms of his offensive skills. Doesn’t have a lot flare to hit game but loves to keep it simple and dependable. Not sure yet where he will fit in but we fully expect him to play in the WHL as he still has a ton of room to grow and develop.

108th Overall: Jaxon Dube – St. Albert Sabres

Dube took massive leaps this past season with the St. Albert Sabres Bantam AAA team, he had a great playoff run and really helped take them to the AMBHL finals. Equipped at a young age with gifted skating abilities and great size, Dube is a kid who can control the puck in physical play and loves to get in on the forecheck. Dube’s game bodes well as a potential depth winger who can play a versatile physical two- way game.

125th Overall: Tyler Teasdale – Winnipeg Monarchs

Played this past season on the Winnipeg Monarchs where he was one of the more heavily utilized defenders on the team. Equipped with physical tools and a well rounded two-way game. His game is structured well defensively and he can make dependable outlet plays. Probably going to be a 5/6.

169th Overall: Charlie Larsen – North Dakota

Has great size at 6’2 and room to fill out at only 155lbs. Spent this past season with the Minot Wolves Bantam A squad. Haven’t seen him live but apparently can play a defensively orientated game. An American pick in the later rounds who might come or potential might not, will be one of the more interesting to watch in the draft class.

Prospect Chart

Ethan Kruger (’01) Connor Ungar (’02)

Neithan Salame (’01) – Johnny Lambos (‘01) Timber Lewis (’01) – Anthony Kehrer (’02) Chad Nychuk (’01) – Vincent Iorio (’02) Jack Zayat (’02) Owen Gallatin (’02) Brady Whitely (’02)

Reilly Funk (’00) – Ridly Greig (’02) - Bode Hagan (’02) Braden Fischer (‘02) - Drayson Collyer (’01) – William Highet (’02) Mitchell Joss (’01) – Lynden McCallum (’00) - (’99) Nolan Ritchie (’02) – Kolton Shindle (’01) – Jayson Szun (’01) Noah Wagner (’02) - Ty Thorpe (’02) – Ty Whitford (’02)

DraftGeek Team Analysis

The Wheat Kings are an establishment within the WHL, and have proven their ability to consistently re-tool and get players from their club into pro hockey. With that in mind, fans should be excited about what lays ahead for the team. With a young forward core lead by Ridly Greig, the addition of Jake Chiasson, Brett Hyland, Dylan James, Bode Hagan, and Nolan Ritchie, the potential for offense is limitless. The team has established a core moving forward, and now the team likely shifts it’s focus to improving the blue line. With potential cornerstone defenceman Anthony Kehrer set on college, it will be left to management to find or acquire players that can get these forwards the puck. American defenceman Vincent Iorio projects well moving forward in junior hockey, however his future is undecided as he played last season with Shattuck and is likely to head down the college path. The dark horses to keep an eye

on for Wheaties fans are Neithan Salame, a powerful two way defenceman from , and forward Ty Thorpe who if he commits to the team would have a big impact on the top six forward group.