Keegan Kolesar, Ethan Bear make it four T-Birds picked in NHL Draft

Keegan Kolesar and Ethan Bear were both taken Saturday, giving the T-Birds a total of four players chosen in total during this year's NHL Draft.

BY ANDY EIDE

Jun 27, 2015, 2:32 PM Updated: 2:41 pm

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SUNRISE, Fla. – Ryan Gropp wasn’t the only Thunderbird player to get selected in the NHL Draft on Saturday at the BB&T Center.

Keegan Kolesar and Ethan Bear were also selected, giving the T-Birds a total of four players chosen in total during this year’s NHL Draft.

Kolesar was picked by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round with the 69th overall pick. Bear was then picked by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round with pick No. 124.

For Kolesar, being selected had him at a loss of words.

“I’m speechless right now,” the big winger said via phone. “I can’t find the words to describe how I feel.”

Kolesar was not at the draft and found out about his selection while at home watching on television before attending his cousin’s baseball game. He said he had been getting flooded with text messages from friends and family.

The Winnipeg native is coming off his best season in the WHL – he potted 19 goals in a campaign that was cut short with an injury late in the year. Despite that, he has the size that NHL teams love to possess.

“He has all the tools to be a really good player in the NHL,” T-Birds head coach Steve Konowalchuk said. “He brings things that not a lot of players can, to be able to play that power forward game, crash and bang, but has that elite skill with the shot and passing.”

When he arrived in Seattle, Kolesar was a rough prospect in need of some fine-tuning. But he worked hard, got leaner and improved on his skating and overall game. That work has paid off as he is now property of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“Looking back at my 16-year-old year, it was a learning process,” he said. “The coaches and my teammates helped me so much. I can’t thank them enough.”

Bear was at the draft in Sunrise this week, along with numerous family members. The defenseman was all smiles after the Oilers called his name on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s amazing,” Bear said of being an Oiler. “They’re a great organization, Its been exciting this whole day, especially to get picked by Edmonton. It’s truly amazing.”

As a two-way defenseman, Bear has always been calm and collected on the ice, something he hopes can help in getting to the next level.

“I’ve always been calm, I just go with the flow,” he said. “Since I’m calm I’m really good at controlling my nerves during games. I think it really helps me.”

It was a great weekend for the Thunderbirds, as it was the first time since 2003 the organization had four players selected in the draft. For the guys picked, they loved sharing it with their teammates.

“I’ve been with those guys all year, playing together, at the combine,” Kolesar said. “I’m just as excited for those guys as I am for myself.”

Bear echoed the sentiments of his teammate.

“Gropp and Kolesar aren’t here, I wish they were, but I’ll get to see Barzal later,” Bear said. “It’s good to know those guys got drafted and it’s going to be good to see those guys and talk about it.”

Konowalchuk was proud of all four of his players. He praised their hard work along with the work that general manager Russ Farwell and director of player personnel Colin Alexander in bringing in high-quality players.

“It’s exciting and it’s good for the players first and foremost. They’ve put the work in and have dedicated their lives to get there,” the head coach said. “I’m not surprised these guys are getting drafted because I believe they’re good players.”

Both Kolesar and Bear know that there’s a long road ahead of them before they can make the NHL. Getting drafted doesn’t come with any promises of an NHL contract or success at the next level. There are usually improvements to make.

“I can always work on my skating.” Kolesar said. “I think I have all the tools to play at that level and I’m looking forward to getting into camp and working on my skating with the pros as well as my skating coach.”

Bear says he’s looking for improvement in all areas and then added, “Maybe it’s shooting more, maybe it’s being better positionally in the zone.”

The T-Birds had one of the youngest rosters in the WHL last year. The four players selected at the draft will return to Seattle next season and become inspiration for the rest of the club.

“The reality starts to hit home pretty quick,” Konowalchuk said. “They all come to major junior hockey to give themselves the best chance to play in the NHL. Then when you’re sitting next to guys that are one step away, it makes it feel more realistic.”

The excitement of draft weekend should carry into next season. The T-Birds are in good position to have a competitive team, one that now has four NHL Draft picks on its roster.

“It’s going to be a good year for us,” Bear said. “I’m excited for it.”

Follow Andy Eide on Twitter @andyeide.