Medicine Hat Tigers
Medicine Hat took a player in every round of the 14 round draft, except the 7th round. This shows that they are really intrigued by this draft class, and focused on restocking their prospect pool. We love how they were able to address a bunch of needs in their prospect pool including goaltending. Medicine Hat currently has a good crop of defenders coming up as 16-year-olds next season but still managed to grab some long shot d prospects. We noticed that they really focused also on grabbing groups of players with chemistry between them, a couple from Lethbridge, Red Deer and Calgary who will be interesting to see how they translate to the WHL, being that they will most likely spend their Midget Season(s) together.
1st Round Selection
Garin Bjorklund (21st Overall) – With their first pick in the draft, Medicine Hat addressed a big need which was goaltending. They ran with two ’97 goalies last season and didn’t really have any big names coming up to succeed them. Bjorklund is a big framed goalie who moves well and never gives up on the puck. He is athletic and consistent which is why we get why he was the top goalie taken in the draft. Bjorklund has NHL potential.
Notable Picks
Scout Truman (43rd Overall) – A real high risk, high reward player in Scout Truman who improved a tonne this past season with Lethbridge. Truman is a past first type of player who is slippery with the puck but also quick when he needs to be. Great playmaking abilities saw him skyrocket up our ranks at the end of the season, Truman has potential to be a top six winger at the WHL level.
Ryan Watson (65th Overall) – Watson is a well-rounded two-way defender who at one point was regarded as a potential first round pick by DraftGeek. Watson is versatile and competes well, which makes him such a great pick. He can run a PP but also make plays from his own end. In our opinion we see him being a more offensive defender at the next level but someone who if he develops properly and embraces the role could be a 40-point guy someday.
Noah Danielson (87th Overall) – Danielson was the leading scorer and the MVP of the AMBHL South this past season and a well-rounded offensive threat. Danielson spent the season on a line with Medicine Hat 5th rounder Brett Meerman and showed good chemistry with him through the season. Danielson projects to be a top six playmaker who brings intensity and speed to the line-up.
Kadyn Chabot (131st Overall) – The Lethbridge Golden Hawks captain has been a consistent performer through the season and really plays the game with power. Chabot has a big shot and is consistent when using the body. Skilled and deadly with the puck we think he will be a true scoring power forward at the next level.
Conclusion
All in all, Medicine Hat did a great job really stocking up on players who will play at the next level. We really like the approach they took this year and how they were able to draft lines more than just individual players. They were also able to address their future need at the goaltending position and with that pick comes high end potential.
