T-Birds select nine players in 2015 WHL Bantam Draft

The Thunderbirds added nine new players to their protected list through Thursday’s annual WHL Bantam Draft. Seattle bolstered their future depth up and down the lineup, selecting a versatile group of players, including six forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie. Here’s a look at each of the T-Birds selections.

Elijah Brown, center (first round, No. 15)

Seattle’s first pick, No. 15 overall, was used on Brown, a 5-foot-7, 150 pound center from Edmonton. Last year playing for the SSAC Lions Bantam AAA, Brown scored 41 points on 18 goals and 23 assists while adding 46 penalty minutes in 31 games played. Brown also briefly played with the SSAC Bulldogs Minor Midget AAA team, a level above the Lions, and had three points in two games.

According to the T-Birds’ press release, Brown possesses an exciting combination of speed and work ethic, which when put together should make him a solid two-way player who can create opportunities all over the ice.

Carl Stankowski, goalie (second round, No. 37)

Seattle GM Russ Farwell describes Stankowski as a “strong, technical goalie … (who has) all of the elements to develop into a top WHL goalie.” Stankowski was the first goaltender taken in the draft and is the highest the T-Birds have picked a netminder since Ryan Cyr was taken No. 32 overall in 1999.

Last year with the Calgary Flames Bantam AAA, Stankowski posted impressive numbers with a 1.88 goals against average and .920 save percentage in 16 games.

Connor Pyne, left wing (third round, No. 52)

Pyne hails from White City, Sask. and had 18 goals and 14 assists in 31 games with the Balgonie Prairie Storm Bantam AA this year. The importance of having a power forward was never more evident than in Seattle’s first round playoff series with Portland. Keegan Kolesar missed the series with an injury and the T-Birds struggled to replace his production. Already 6 foot 1 and 180 pounds, Pyne should be able to step into a power forward role as a 16-year-old.

Kabir Gill, defense (fifth round, No. 103)

The Thunderbirds grabbed their first defenseman in round five in the form of Gill, a rearguard with a healthy combination of size and skill. At 6 foot 1 and 194 pounds, the White Rock, British Columbia, native already has WHL-ready size. He scored 70 points on 20 goals and 50 assists with 64 penalty minutes in 63 games last season.

A right-handed shot, Gill should be able to contribute in a variety of ways and expressed his enthusiasm on Twitter after being selected by Seattle.

Dillon Hamaliuk, left wing (sixth round, No. 111)

Sixth-round pick Hamaliuk is listed as a left wing in the T-Birds’ press release and a defenseman on EliteProProspects.com. Last year, Hamaliuk had 37 points and 28 penalty minutes in 33 games. At 5 foot 11, Hamaliuk’s height can work in the WHL, but at only 148 pounds he’ll need to add some bulk to handle the league’s bigger defensemen. Farwell’s comments on Hamaliuk make it sound as though he’s a grinding forward with a non-stop motor, something that’s been proven extremely valuable through players like Nolan Volcan and Donovan Neuls.

Tyler Carpendale, forward (sixth round, No. 125)

Not much information is currently available on Seattle’s second sixth-round pick, who comes from Powell River, British Columbia. Already 6 foot 3 and 181 pounds, Farwell describes Carpendale as a player “with huge potential to be a big two-way power forward.”

Tyson Terretta, defense (seventh round, No. 147)

Seattle looked towards their blue line again in round seven, grabbing Terretta from Okotoks, Alberta. Terretta spent last season with the high-level Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Prep program, whose alumni include current Seattle defenseman Ethan Bear. Terretta tallied one assist and 20 penalty minutes in 15 games with POE.

Chase Sakic, forward (eighth round, No. 169)

Without a doubt Seattle’s most intriguing selection due to his nearly unbeatable hockey pedigree, Sakic spent last season with the Colorado Thunderbirds, a program that has a recent history of being a strong feeder for Seattle. Sakic is a bit undersized right now at 5 foot 4 and 130 pounds, but many said the same of his father, Joe Sakic, one of the greatest centers to ever play the game.

In addition to his NHL dominance, Joe was also a great WHL player with the Swift Current Broncos, winning Rookie of the Year his first year and MVP in his second. He played two NHL seasons for the Colorado Avalanche with T-Birds coach Steve Konowalchuk, so there are family ties to the current staff. Joe’s success, the family ties, and Chase’s immediate excitement seem to point to him signing quickly should the T-Birds extend an offer.

Isaiah Cockerill, right wing (tenth round, No. 213)

Seattle’s final selection was right wing Isaiah Cockerill, another big forward from Winnipeg. He had 15 points and 34 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Winnipeg Warriors Bantam AAA last season, who are in the same league that produced current T-Bird Kolesar. Like Gill and Sakic, Cockerill couldn’t contain his excitement at being selected by Seattle and will likely sign quickly should Seattle offer him.