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ICE select blueliner 11th overall in WHL Bantam Draft
Garnet Kazuik, Director of Scouting for the Kootenay ICE last week announced defenseman Griffin Mendel has been selected 11th overall by the club in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.
The 25th annual WHL Bantam Draft began at 8:30 a.m. May 1 in Calgary and is for players born in 1999 and playing in the four Western Provinces and selected regions of the United States.
“We have been watching Mendel since he was 13 and although he is recovering from an injury there are many qualities in him we feel will make a great fit in our organization,” commented Kazuik. “He has a similar playing style to former ICE players Joey Leach and Brayden McNabb and is a big body and heavy hard player. We are excited to welcome Griffin to the Kootenay ICE organization.”
Mendel, 6’1” and 185 lbs, was born, February 18, 1999, and is from Kelowna.
He played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy this past season.
In total, the ICE drafted 10 players.
Along with Mendel, the following players were drafted:
Round Two – 33rd Overall – Jakob Walter
Birthdate: May 16, 1999; Hometown: West Kamloops
Position: Goaltender; Height: 6’1″ – Weight: 180 lbs.
13-14 Team: Kamloops Jardine Blazers – OMAHA
Round Four – 77th Overall –Max Patterson
Birthdate: December 27, 1999; Hometown: Kamloops
Position: Right Wing; Height: 6’3″ – Weight: 165 lbs.
13-14 Team: Kamloops Jardine Blazers – OMAHA
Round Five – 99th Overall – Linden Babcock
Birthdate: November 5, 1999; Hometown: Calgary, AB
Position: Centre; Height: 5’11” – Weight: 163 lbs.
13-14 Team: Calgary Flames – AMBHL
Round Seven – 138th Overall –Austin Wieler
Birthdate: June 18, 1999; Hometown: Laird, SK
Position: Defenseman; Height: 6’0” – Weight: 157 lbs.
13-14 Team: Sask Valley Vipers – SBAAHL
Round Eight – 165th Overall –Brett Trentham
Birthdate: March 8, 1999; Hometown: Three Hills, AB
Position: Left Wing; Height: 5’11” – Weight: 165 lbs.
13-14 Team: Airdrie Xtreme – AMBHL
Round Nine – 187th Overall – Austin Nault
Birthdate: June 1, 1999; Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Position: Right Wing; Height: 5’11” – Weight: 142 lbs.
13-14 Team: Winnipeg Warriors – WMHA
Round Nine – 198th Overall – Sam Huston
Birthdate: May 31, 1999; Hometown: Brandon, MB
Position: Defenseman; Height: 6’3″ – Weight: 160 lbs.
13-14 Team: Brandon Wheat Kings – WMHA
Round 10 – 209th Overall – Evan Thomas
Birthdate: September 6, 1999; Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Position: Centre; Height: 5’8” – Weight: 155 lbs.
13-14 Team: Saskatoon Outlaws – SBAAHL
Round 11 – 231st Overall – Thomas Goldade
Birthdate: April 16, 1999; Hometown: Regina, SK
Position: Forward; Height: 6’0” – Weight: 170 lbs.
13-14 Team: Regina Monarchs – SBAAHL.
Mendel becomes the 19th first round draft pick in the history of the ICE franchise.
ICE first round draft history
2013 Draft – Forward Jared Legien – 9th Overall
2012 Draft – Defenseman Tory Murray – 10th Overall
2011 Draft – Forward Collin Shirley – 17th Overall
2010 Draft – Forward Sam Reinhart – 15th Overall
2009 Draft – Forward Colby Cave – 13th Overall
2008 Draft – Forward Brendan Hurley – 15th Overall
2007 Draft – Forward Drew Czerwonka – 20th Overall
2006 Draft – Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen – 16th Overall
2005 Draft – Defenseman Jordan Wilkins – 20th Overall
2004 Draft – Defenseman John Negrin – 7th Overall
2003 Draft – Defenseman Todd Panchyson – 12th Overall
2003 Draft – Forward Ben Maxwell – 2nd Overall
2001 Draft – Forward Jeremy Schenderling – 19th Overall
2000 Draft – Forward Dale Mahovsky – 17th Overall
1999 Draft – Defenseman Andy Thompson – 7th Overall
1998 Draft – Goaltender Dan Blackburn – 3rd Overall
1997 Draft – Forward Jarret Stoll – 1st Overall
1996 Draft – Defenseman Steve McCarthy – 1st Overall
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