2019 Kaizen Sports Bantam Draft Recap
For Immediate Release -
Penticton, BC (Canada) - Kaizen Sports & Entertainment Ltd. is proud to announce that four clients have been selected in the 2019 Western Hockey League (WHL) Draft which was held in Red Deer, Alberta on May 2nd.
In total, 228 players were selected in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, with 129 forwards, 77 defencemen and 22 goaltenders selected.
Players eligible for the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft were 2004-born players residing in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Four Kaizen Sports student-athlete clients will have the opportunity to decide between playing in the WHL or pursuing Division 1 US college athletics.
.::Niall Crocker
Niall Crocker, 04, was selected in the first round, 22ndoverall by the league’s top-ranked team, the Prince Albert Raiders.
Niall spent the last two seasons with the Delta Hockey Academy (DHA). This season he netted 45 points in 30 games.
The 6’2 power forward plays a hard-nosed, skilled game and is always an offensive threat.
“I think he has a great combination of skill, IQ, and grit,” said Raiders Director of Player Personnel Curt Brownlee. “The other part we like about him is his character and his ability to lead. He’s excited to play in the Western Hockey League and with the Prince Albert Raiders.”
.::OREN SHTROM
Oren Shtrom, 04, was selected in the third round, 57thoverall by the storied Medicine Hat Tigers.
The 5’7”, 140lbs forward caught the eye of the WHL scouts throughout the season and climbed the Draft rankings quickly after a strong Anaheim WHL Scouting Combine in late April.
Shtrom, originally from Montreal, played for the Phoenix Junior Coyotes last season.
The scouting reports often reference his ability to think the game at a high level, in all three zones. It’s hard to find a player who competes each and every shift as consistently as Oren. His will and desire to win separate him.
.::CARTER MACADAMS
Carter MacAdams, 04, was selected in the fourth round, 70th overall by the Prince George Cougars.
The Langley, B.C. product played this past season for the Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Prep Green team in the CSSHL.
MacAdams finished fourth in team scoring with 43 points (24g-19a) in 29 games, to go along with 43 penalty minutes. His 24 goals were second-best on his team and tied for ninth overall in the CSSHL Bantam Prep Division.
DraftGeek Scouting Report: Highly intelligent, offensively minded winger who loves to slow down the game he gets the puck on his stick. MacAdams is extremely effective in tight spaces, stick handles better between the defenders stick and body better than almost all of his peers.
.::LYNDEN HANVOLD
Lynden Hanvold, 04, was selected in tenth round, 219thoverall by the Vancouver Giants.
Lynden Hanvold, the Kelowna, BC product was the final defenceman selected by the Vancouver Giants in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft.
The 5’9”, 140lbs left shot blueliner played with the Okanagan Hockey Academy’s Bantam Prep program and notched four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 29 games played. He added 10 penalty minutes.
He was the fourth defenceman and the fifth BC-born player drafted by the Giants in 2019.
Most scouting reports list his Lynden's skating ability as elite. He can use his feet to create and to escape potentially undesirable on-ice situations.
______________________________________________________________________
Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change for the better". Our philosophy promotes continual improvement, through a methodical and determined process. Kaizen Sports & Entertainment is recognized for its committed support to its clients, exceptional representation of their interests, and strong performance.
-30-
