The WHL bantam draft is the first step in the rest of future hockey star’s life. Every WHL team has the opportunity to improve their team down the road and fill out future team needs. While there has never been an exceptional status rewarded to any hockey player out west, these players may get the opportunity to break that and are leading the way for their age groups at a young age.
2002: Connor McClennon – POE Bantam Prep
The current consensus top ranked player in this year’s WHL bantam draft is making his presence felt through western Canada already. Coming off of a season that saw him finish 4th in league scoring in his rookie year with 44 points in 23 games, he is now dominating the CSSHL with 25 points in seven games for POE, good enough for a league leading 3.6PPG. His high level shot and effortless skating ability makes him look like a seasoned veteran, and doesn’t back down from those who try to intimidate him despite his smaller stature. He plays with an edge, and shows toughness that mirrors other promising players that may be undersized even though he stands at 5’8. What may be most impressive about McClennon is that he plays with a knowledge of the game higher than most other players, even throughout his rookie season. His numbers are a product of his success, but watching him read the play and make the proper decisions with the puck shows a maturity beyond his years.
His versatility is key, showing promise not only offensively but defensively as well. His breakaway speed allows him to be aggressive in breaking out of his own zone, and proactive in getting back when needed. Often the first one to support his defensemen on the back check, he supports his line mates and makes those around him better. He’s a hard worker and is very tough to muscle off of the puck. Even if a player has a physical edge on him, they most likely won’t have the mental edge. Coming through a prestigious program like POE, it’s no wonder a player with his skill set has not only succeeded at this level, but is commanding respect from his opponents and scouts alike. Playing against the 2nd and 3rd ranked players by DubNetwork (Seth Jarvis and Kaiden Guhle) night in and night out. It’s easy to look at his statistics and see a special player, but it’s special to see him and marvel at just how truly skilled and dominant he is. The future is very bright for this kid, and everyone is noticing. (Grant Gauthier – @HockeyGauthier)
2003: Zack Stringer – Lethbridge Golden Hawks
Zack Stringer has had a very notable ride to this point. As an underage player, having been born in 2003, Stringer was a standout in his rookie season last year scoring at almost a point a game pace, accruing 27 points in 29 games in Bantam AAA. Not only was he endearing to the scouts, but he was a warrior for his teammates. Consistently blocking shots and taking hits, his fearless and selfless play has led to him being a true leader for a team stacked with offensive firepower. Playing alongside high end WHL draft picks such as Bowen Byram, Nicholas Draffin, and Carson Dyck among others. His game has developed with some of the more dynamic prospects from this past Bantam Draft. All of this, during a year in which he should have been playing his last year in Peewee.
His almost 6’0 frame has filled out over the offseason, leading to more strength, less turnovers, and a much improved shot. His 36 points through 17 games this season is impressive enough, but his 18 goals and better than a goal per game average are a spectacle. However, to typecast him as only an offensive threat would be ignorant. He is just as reliable defensively, playing heavy penalty kill minutes in addition to his offensive duties. He battles hard around the net, leading to many opportunities not only for him, but for his line mates. He can beat you with a shot from perfect offensive positioning, or by simply outworking you for a loose puck in the slot. The development from last year to this year is something of note, as he has clearly put in the work to get better, faster and stronger during the summer. What may have been a concern last year, has been erased through the early part of this season, and it bodes very well moving forward but there’s still more that could be worked on. I would like to see him become more confident in his puck handling abilities and begin to use his size more to drive to the net. Committed to Yale Bantam Prep next year which will see him face off with Carson Lambo of Rink who will challenge him for top spot. Not only is he an elite player in the AMBHL, but he is still eligible for another season at the Bantam level after this one. (Grant Gauthier – @HockeyGauthier)
2004: Matt Savoie – St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres
The young Matt Savoie is already making an impact at the bantam level, as an ’04 playing in a league with 2002 and 2003 born players. Savoie is off to a hot start, recording 28 points in 14 games on the leagues only undefeated team. Playing alongside his older brother and the league leading scorer in Ethan Leyer, his line has an outstanding 93 points combined. Savoie is a small player who plays a complete game, demonstrating Sam Reinhart like IQ with his sound positional play in all three zones. He does an excellent job supporting his defenceman in his own zone and an even better job creating opportunities in the offensive zone. His ability to handle the puck at top speed is outstanding and is what really catches my eye when watching him. He’s a player who loves to enter the zone with speed and will often attack the defenders one on one. He plays with intensity and at a quick pace, and when given the chance, showcases his elite puck skills and creativity. Even playing at an older age group he can find times in the game where he is the most dominant player of the ice and often does this by showing off his breakaway speed. He has some high end puck moving abilities and is a huge part of his team-mate (Ethan Leyer) success that see his leading the league is points and goals currently. Savoie’s play away from the puck is another thing I like, he does an good job reading the play and knowing where to be to create a turnover. He also does know exactly what he is going to do with the puck before he even receives the puck, something that I have found is unique with Savoie. A player with great poise, when he does manage to lose the puck in the offensive zone he does a good job getting back and working hard to get the puck back. Of course being a young kid there are minor things I think he could work on, he is still young but bulking up would do wonders for his game and make him an even more dominating force then he already is. Another thing I’d like to see him utilize his shot a little more, at times he is a very pass first player and will look for his line mates over taking the shot. (Brayden Sully – @SullyDraftGeek)
2005: Kalan Lind – Swift Current Broncos PeeWee AA
Kalan Lind has shown very early that playing at the PeeWee AA is no challenge for him posting 46 points in only 8 games, which averages out to a 5.8PPG. He plays a very fast, up-tempo game for his age group which allows him to excel past other players of his age group. He’s very smart offensively which helped him get numerous chances including breakaways, and it almost seemed like every time he touched the puck he created a scoring opportunity. Due to injuries, he’s been playing a largely increased amount of ice time and is handling it like its nothing new, and he still manages to go full out every shift all game. He isn’t the fanciest player, but he sure knows how to get the job done wherever he is on the ice, whether it comes to scoring a highlight real goal with his quick hands and skating combining with his strong shot, to creating a chance for a teammate with his high passing talent, or just simply playing shut down defensively. He is very strong at face-offs where he nearly went perfect all evening, and his hockey IQ went way beyond any other player on the night the night I was fortunate enough to watch him lead his team to a dominating victory where he notched 6 goals and 2 assists, all of which were exciting and important goals. His skill does occasionally catch up to him though however, and did cost turnovers a few times in important moment, but with his speed and aggressive play style he was always able to make up for it. His hand eye could improve if he wants to continue his success in Bantam, but for the size and skill he already has, bantam appears to be a much better fit for him, and he’s only a first year bantam player. He is very highly regarded from his teammates and coaches as essentially their go-to guy, which makes Lind even more impressive with that extent of added pressure. He is a very exciting and dominating player to watch no matter what the situation is. He’s playing a level of hockey way above his age group to the point where in his first year he is leading the league in points, and it will be exciting to see if he can continue this dominant play in the future! (Chris Penner – @SaskScoutCP)
