As I pack my bag today to head back to New Zealand for my annual camp in Queenstown, I’ve stopped to have a peak at last week’s Bantam Draft. Seeing many familiar names excites and motivates me to continue our quest of helping young men and women develop as athletes and people. On this eve of my departure it also reminds me how cool this game is. I’d like to remind all campers this summer that the game will take you on an incredible adventure, if you let it. Friends you meet this year will come back into your life decades from now, and perhaps in a far off land like New Zealand. That is after all, where I met the latest addition to our crew, Mike Sommer, a Semiahmoo Minor Hockey alumnus.
Although for all those young players drafted some of the real work is just about to begin, they certainly deserve to take a moment to enjoy the honour of being drafted and recognized as an elite player this season. Many drafted players will play Junior Hockey. Many won’t. And many that were not drafted, will go on to long Junior and even pro careers. Keep things in perspective, and find a way to let your drafted status motivate you, and don’t let it get to your head! For those not drafted, now is your chance to prove you are still on your own path to hockey excellence.
Congratulations to these players on their selection in the WHL:
We are proud their Bantam season began with us at the West Coast Hockey Prep Camp – Bantam Showcase ….
- Owen Hardy – #42 Vancouver Giants
- Tyler Preziuso – #61 Medicene Hat Tigers
- Liam Lytton – #115 Pringe George Cougars
- Boo Grist – #119 Red Deer Rebels
- Brett Stapley – #151 Calgary Hitmen
- Dawson Frank – #161 Victoria Royals
- Kyle Topping – #226 Kelowna Rockets
And to the following Leslie Global Sports trained athletes:
- Jake Christiansen – #105 (now private training client of Sven Butenschon)
- Will Warm – #108 Edmonton Oil Kings (Sentinel Premier Academy)
- Kyle Kaufman – #171 Medicine Hat (Sentinel Premier Academy)
