Chiefs After Potential Stars In Bantam Draft

The expansion Edmonton Ice is expected to use the first pick of today’s Western Hockey League bantam draft on a defenseman from Trail, British Columbia.

Stephen McCarthy is a 6-foot, 180-pound defenseman with leadership skills and toughness.

Brandon Wheat Kings general manager Kelly McCrimmon called McCarthy a “great guy to start an expansion franchise with.”

Spokane Chiefs head scout Ray Dudra agreed.

“If we had the first pick that’s who we’d take,” Dudra said. “This kid is the complete package.”

The Chiefs have the 17th pick in the draft of 14-year-old players. It’s the lowest the club has selected in the six-year history of the draft. Only the Wheat Kings, the Chiefs opponent in the league championship finals that start Friday night in Brandon, go later.

Brandon has the 18th and final choice in each round.

Draft position is based on regular-season record.

“It’s not hard to go to the rink and identify the best players,” Chiefs general manager Tim Speltz said. “What we have to do is figure out who’ll develop. Who’ll be the best players at 18 or 19?”

Besides McCarthy, Travis Eagles, a 6-3, 185-pound right wing from Weyburn, Sask., and center Steven George of Winnipeg are touted as the most likely early picks.

Although this year’s class of draftable players is not deep, Dudra said, “we’re hoping to get four or five who’ll make it.”

With a pick in every round the Chiefs expect to take 12 players.

, DataTimes