Kamloops Blazers 2020 WHL Bantam Draft recap

The Kamloops Blazers selected 10 players in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Of the 10 players, there are five forwards and five defensemen. By region, the Blazers selected four players from B.C., two from Saskatchewan, and one each from Alberta, Manitoba, California, and Minnesota. 

Thanks to insight from Zach Moffat of DUBNetwork Scouting, here’s a look at the selected players with some additional information: 

1st round, 19th overall: Kaden Hammell – 6-foot-0, 166 pounds

Hammell was the top-scoring rearguard on the West Van Academy Prep team with 41 points in 29 games. 

“A potential top-ten talent before the draft, Kaden Hammell was high on the list of many evaluators. A big, mobile, and offensively inclined defenseman, he loves to take risks and lead the rush and is relatively responsible for a player of his type, but will need to better identify when to skate the puck and when to pass it at the next level. He uses his feet and skating well to create space for himself and protect the puck. A frequent comparison used is Shea Theodore, an offensively inclined defenseman that is versatile to play the game in a number of ways. Kaden does not shy down from contact and enjoys battling for pucks and space.”

2nd round, 27th overall: Grayden Slipec – 5-foot-9, 155 pounds

Slipec, Hammel’s teammate in West Van, led the team in scoring with 73 points in 30 games and finished third in CSSBHL scoring. 

“It is unbelievable that Slipec fell this far in the draft; he is an exceptionally talented playmaker and heads up player. Above average ability to finish his chances with a strong release and exceptional accuracy, punishing opponents who give him time and space.  Very high-end puck skills and is great at using deception to create space. Grayden’s intelligence is immediately noticeable on the ice in his play away from the puck and has the ability to be a strong two-way player down the road. One of the most gifted playmakers in the draft.  He shouldn’t have been available at 19, let alone 27.”

3rd round, 52nd overall: Luke Korte – 5-foot-2, 127 pounds

The Blazers made it 3-for-3 in West Van, selecting Luka Korte who finished the season with 59 points in 28 games with the academy. 

“Luke Korte is a high-motor center that is very difficult to keep up with. Speed is the name of Luke’s game, his hands, his feet, and his brain operate at such a high pace it is difficult for his peers to contain him. There are games where his high-end skill is on full display and he controls the game with the puck on his stick. Size might be a big detractor, but he has a lot of time and room to grow.”  

3rd round, 62nd overall: Ryan Michael – 5-foot-9, 144 pounds

The Blazers selected Ryan Michael of Yale Hockey Academy with their second third-round pick. Michael finished the season with 25 points in 30 games on the Bantam Prep squad.

“A very fast, mobile two-way defenceman, Ryan combines his high-end skating with a physical edge and defensive prowess. A player that can be relied upon to play difficult minutes and enjoy them, while also having the potential to contribute a bit in the offensive zone. Brings the rare dual-threat of speed and physicality to a defence corps and appears to be a great fit with the Blazers organization.”  

4th round, 82nd overall: Emmitt Finnie – 5-foot-3, 110 pounds

Returning to the Yale Hockey Academy, the Blazers selected forward Emmitt Finnie whose 61 points in 30 games were good for third in team scoring. 

“A member of Yale’s first line, Emmitt was a strong offensive contributor all year and is talented around the net front and seems to always find loose pucks and bury them. Despite his size, he is a battler and relentless in puck battles. A crafty forward that is capable of morphing his game to be productive.”

4th round, 85th overall: Rylan Pearce – 5-foot-8, 162 pounds

The Blazers finally traveled out of the B.C. Division at 85th overall, nabbing Rylan Pearce of the Martensville Marauders in Saskatchewan’s Bantam AA league. Pearce finished the season with 40 points in 31 games with the Marauders.

“A strong right-handed defenceman with good gap control. A heavy point shot combined with decent mobility and speed.  Overall a confident player that likes to take risks at times.  Strong compete and likes to muck it up in battles.” Layne Lysitza (DraftGeek, DUBNetwork)

5th round, 107th overall: Kai Matthew – 5-foot-11, 160 pounds

Projected as a first-round talent, Matthew slid down the rankings due to a verbal commitment to the University of Denver. Matthew tallied 38 points in 25 games with Northern Alberta Bantam Prep. This is the second consecutive draft that the Blazers have selected a university-committed player after picking both Mats Lindgren and Conor Levis in 2019. 

“One of the most physically WHL-ready players in this year’s draft.  A likely first-round talent, Kai Matthew fills a lot of needs for the Blazers as a stronger, power forward type with great mobility and some physicality.  Matthew typically plays a mature, simple, two-way game with the offensive skill to make opponents respect him at all times.  Matthew is deceptive, strong, intelligent, and fast; this is a low-risk and very high-reward pick.”

6th round, 116th overall: Cooper Conway – 5-foot-7, 126 pounds 

The Blazers then dipped into the American prospect pool, picking up the alliterative Cooper Conway. The Andover, Minnesota, native played with the Andover Huskies in Bantam AA last season, racking up 59 goals and 124 points in 57 games. 

6th round, 127th overall: Blake Jones – 5-foot-3, 103 pounds

Blake Jones played in Bantam AAA last season with the Winnipeg Monarchs where he tallied 49 points in 36 games. Jones was the first and only Manitoba selection for the Blazers.

6th round, 128th overall: Lenny Greenberg – 5-foot-10, 149 pounds

The Blazers went back to the United States for their final pick of the draft to select defenseman Lenny Greenberg from El Segundo, California. Greenberg recorded 36 points in 41 games with the Los Angeles Jr. Kings in Bantam AAA.