The Kamloops Blazers selected 10 players in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
The Blazers had 10 picks in the first six rounds and selected five defensemen and five forwards.
In the first round, 19th overall the Blazers selected defenseman Kaden Hammell from Langley, BC. He played with the West Vancouver Bantam Prep program.
In the second round, 27th overall the Blazers took forward Grayden Slipec from Surrey, BC. He played with Hammell in West Vancouver last season.
The Blazers had two picks in the third round and selected forward Luke Korte and defenseman Ryan Michael. Korte is from Saskatoon and played for West Vancouver and Michael is from Langley and played for the Yale Bantam Prep program in Abbotsford.
Two more selections in the fourth round as the Blazers picked forward Emmitt Finnie from Yale Bantam Prep and defenseman Rylan Pearce from Martensville, SK.
In the fifth round, the Blazers went to Alberta to pick Kai Matthew from Edmonton who played for the Northern Alberta Xtreme Bantam Prep.
With three picks in the sixth round, the Blazers selected Cooper Conway, Blake Jones and Lenny Greenberg. Conway is a forward from Andover, Minnesota, Jones is a defenseman from Winnipeg and Greenberg is a defenseman from El Segundo, California.
The 10 players selected in the Bantam Draft join the Blazers two selections from the 2020 U.S. Prospects Draft in forward Drew Stewart from Minnetonka, MN and goaltender Calvin Vachon from Redondo Beach, California as 12 players from the 2020 draft class.
In total from the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, the Blazers selected four players from B.C., one from Alberta, two from Saskatchewan, one from Manitoba, one from Minnesota and one from California.
The Blazers also made three minor moves today as they sent their 2020 7th round selection to Moose Jaw for a 7th round pick in the 2022 WHL Bantam Draft. The Blazers also sent their 2020 8th round pick and 2020 9th round pick to Everett for an 8th round pick in 2022 and a 9th round pick in 2021.
Below is a synopsis on each player with a quote from Director of Player Personnel, Robbie Sandland.
Player Stats – GP G A PTS PIM
1st round, 19th overall
Defenseman – Kaden Hammell
6’0″ 165lbs
DOB – March 12, 2005
Hometown – Langley, BC
Team – West Vancouver Bantam Prep 30 – 12 – 29 – 41 – 22
“We are very excited to get Kaden. He can play the game anyway you like. He has great skill, and moves the puck well. Great both ways offensively and defensively. He also has an edge to his game.”
2nd round, 27th overall
Center – Grayden Slipec
5’9″ 155lbs
DOB – March 5, 2005
Hometown – Surrey, BC
Team – West Vancouver Bantam Prep 30 – 26 – 47 – 73 – 16
“He’s a dynamic forward, dual threat with the puck in the offensive zone. Can make plays at speed. He’s dangerous off the rush and a really fun player to watch. We are thrilled to get him.”
3rd round, 52nd overall
Left Wing – Luke Korte
5’4″ 130lbs
DOB – April 2, 2005
Hometown – Saskatoon, SK
Team – West Vancouver Bantam Prep 28 – 19 – 40 – 59 – 0
“Luke is a highly skilled forward, really elusive in the offensive zone. Makes players around him better. Great touch with the puck and plays on his toes.”
3rd round, 62nd overall
Defenseman – Ryan Michael
5’9″ 145lbs
DOB – February 5, 2005
Hometown – Langley, BC
Team – Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep 30 – 4 – 21 – 25 – 18
“Ryan is a really good, mobile puck moving defenseman. He moves well four ways and manages the puck well in all 3 zones. Reliable two-way defenseman with a bright future.”
4th round, 82nd overall
Center – Emmitt Finnie
5’4″ 120lbs
DOB – June 27, 2005
Hometown – Abbotsford, BC
Team – Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep 30 – 26 – 35 – 61 – 0
“Emmitt is a really smart and skilled forward. He has great offensive instincts and can make plays through seams. He has nice finish and a lot of upside.”
4th round, 85th overall
Defenseman – Rylan Pearce
5’8″ 165lbs
DOB – October 9, 2005
Hometown – Martensville, SK
Team – Martensville Marauders BAA 31 – 10 – 30 – 40 – 34
“Rylan is a solid puck moving defenseman. He activates at the right time and thinks the game really well. He had a really good season and we feel he is on a great trajectory.”
5th round, 107th overall
Center – Kai Matthew
5’11″ 160lbs
DOB – June 10, 2005
Hometown – Edmonton, AB
Team – Northern Alberta Xtreme Bantam Prep 25 – 17 – 21 – 38 – 36
“Kai is a power forward and tough to contain in the offensive zone. He can impact the game in a variety of ways. He handles the puck well and is tough to play against. He is dangerous below the circles.”
6th round, 116th overall
Forward – Cooper Conway
5’9″ 145lbs
DOB – June 8, 2005
Hometown – Andover, MN
Team – Andover Huskies 14UAA 24 – 16 – 13 – 29 – 0
“Cooper is a highly skilled forward. He’s very creative with great offensive instincts. He drives the bus offensively and is dangerous off the rush and in the offensive zone. He’s a fun player to watch with tremendous upside.”
6th round, 127th overall
Defenseman – Blake Jones
5’5″ 120lbs
DOB – February 22, 2005
Hometown – Winnipeg, MB
Team – Winnipeg Monarchs AAA 36 – 10 – 39 – 49 – 10
“Blake is a smooth skating defenseman. He is a great puck mover that has a good head for the game. We see a lot of upside in Blake.”
6th round, 128th overall
Defenseman – Lenny Greenberg
5’10″ 150lbs
DOB – March 7, 2005
Hometown – El Segundo, CA
Team – Los Angeles Jr. Kings 42 – 6 – 24 – 30 – 14
“Lenny is a really solid 2-way defenseman. He moves the puck really well to exit the zone. He manages the puck well in all three zones and can shut down the oppositions top players. He plays a responsible all-around game.”
