How the 2014-15 T-Birds were built: The 2013 Bantam Draft

Continuing our series of articles looking at how the current T-Birds roster was built through the draft and various trades over the past five years:

• Part 1: The 2009 Bantam Draft
• Part 2: The 2010 Bantam Draft
• Part 3: The 2010 Import Draft
• Part 4: The 2011 Bantam Draft
• Part 5: The 2012 Bantam Draft

While still only 16 years old and in their first full year of WHL eligibility, the three members of the 2013 Bantam Draft class who are currently listed on the T-Birds’ roster have made significant contributions to Seattle’s success this season and are surely important pieces of the puzzle in the future.

Seattle’s second first-round pick, another acquired in the Marcel Noebels trade to Portland at the 2012 trade deadline, turned into Kaden Elder, a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native who at the time was a member of the Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA club. Listed at 5 foot 9 and under 160 pounds, Elder has demonstrated a willingness to play a hard-nosed game, dig in the corners and throw what weight he does have around despite his small stature.

Playing mostly fourth-line minutes this season, Elder registered three points on one goal and two assists in 50 games played. Behind Mathew Barzal, Scott Eansor, and Alexander True for a good portion of the season, Elder’s minutes were limited, but he’s stuck on the roster the entire season and even received a few shifts in each playoff game.

Seattle’s second-round pick, Nolan Volcan, has been an incredible surprise as a 16-year-old. Playing far larger than his 5 foot 8, 180-plus pound frame would indicate, the Edmonton, Alberta native has been a revelation on Seattle’s checking line, playing mostly alongside the 18-year-old Eansor and 17-year-old fellow rookie Donovan Neuls. Volcan has a local hockey player’s pedigree as his father, Marty, played 28 games for the Seattle Breakers during the 1984-85 season before he was traded to Portland.

Not only did Volcan pot nine goals to go with 14 assists during the regular season, but he was just a minus-two, an incredible stat considering his age, limited experience, and defensive assignments every night. The coaching staff has so much faith in him that they’ve trusted him with the same checking role against quite possibly the best line in junior hockey in the playoffs, a challenge he’s shown he’s more than up for.

Volcan has already demonstrated that, while his present has been exemplary, his future is even brighter. He’s someone who can, and has, excelled in multiple roles, plays a 200-foot game, and never takes a shift off.

A bit further down the line, Seattle selected Sahvan Khaira in the ninth round, No. 181 overall. Khaira’s older brother, Jujhar, played two seasons in the BCHL and one in the WCHA before eventually joining Everett for one WHL term, likely scaring some teams away from taking his younger sibling as they were nervous he might pursue the college route.

Seattle decided the late-round pick was well worth the risk and it paid off, as Khaira committed prior to his 16-year-old season and figures prominently into the T-Birds’ future plans on the blue line. With a very experienced group ahead of him this season, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Khaira’s ice time has been limited, but he should be thrust into a far more important role next year when the defensive picture is sure to change a great deal.

In 43 games this season, Khaira had one goal and two assists and was a plus-one with 41 penalty minutes. As the season has worn on, the Surrey, British Columbia native has shown increased awareness on the ice and become more adept at using his large frame to disrupt the opposition. Another player with a bright future, we’ll get a much better look at what Khaira is capable of next season as a 17-year-old.

Notable 2013 draftees that have not played in Seattle

Dante Fabbro, defense (first round, eighth overall): Fabbro is a supremely talented defender at both ends of the ice, and one who has shown potential as the heir apparent to Shea Theodore as the quarterback on Seattle’s power play. A good friend of Barzal, Fabbro played his 16-year-old season with the Penticton Vees of the BCHL as he weighs the options for his future. He’s said he would make an official decision on his plans for next year and beyond once his current season ends, and you can bet the Seattle front office is holding its breath awaiting his verdict.

Brandon Schuldhaus, defense (fifth round, 103rd overall): Many thought Schuldhaus showed enough in training camp to earn him a full-time roster spot as a 16-year-old. Currently at Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school, a program that has produced NHL talents Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews, Schuldhaus would be a huge get for the Thunderbirds. A Houston, Texas native, Schuldhaus has attended each of the past two Seattle training camps, which should be a good sign for the T-Birds.

Jagger Williamson, right wing (sixth round, 122nd overall): Probably best remembered for his Jaromir Jagr-esque hair that flowed out of his helmet during training camp as a 15-year-old, the undersized Williamson showed skill with the puck, but he has committed to Michigan Tech for the 2016-17 season.