Published on 11/27/17 – Paul Laberge – Owner / Director of Scouting at Blindside Hockey 

Here is my top 22 players prospect list for the 2018 WHL Bantam draft. To keep in mind I haven’t watched Nolan Allan with the Humboldt Broncos, I have heard a lot of great things about this player. I also haven’t watch Grande Praire Storm 2003 defensemen Devin Aubin play yet either and I only watch a few shifts of Trevor Wong play, so I didn’t feel exactly comfortable to place him on my list yet. From what I have heard Trevor Wong could be a top 10-12 draft pick in this years Bantam draft. When I watched Trevor play in those few shifts, it was in Medicine Hat. I had to get going, I was only there for the day. Trevor’s team was playing a weaker team, it was very hard to evaluate. I am hoping after watching him in the John Reid’s tournament I will have a better idea where he would be ranked in the draft. December 2-3 GPAC Storm is coming to Lloydminster this weekend to play the Lloydminster Fountain Tire Bobcats, I heard Devin was injured, but could still be injured? Hoping I get to have the chance to watch Devin play this weekend. If anyone who is reading my article could tell me, whether or not if Devin is back that would be much appreciated! I thought for now I would start by posting my top 22 predictions of the opening round of the bantam draft, after the Prince Albert Tournament in December, I will have another updated list. On the outside looking into my top 22 WHL Bantam draft list I will present three of them: Kobe Verbicky with the Yale Lions Hockey Academy, Josh Medernach with the OHA Edmonton Prep, Marek Schneider, his older brother plays on the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL, Marek plays for the Prince Albert Pirates in the SBAAHL.

Rank Player Team 2017-2018 Pos. League Height Weight Year Born

1. Logan Stankoven Yale Hockey Academy F CSSHL 5’6″ 158 lbs 2003

2. Carson Lambos Rink Hockey Academy D CSSHL 6’0″ 180 lbs 2003

3. Sean Tschigerl OHA Edmonton Prep F CSSHL 5’10” 165 lbs 2003

4. Zach Stringer Lethbridge Hurricanes F AMHL 6’0″ 150 lbs 2003

5. Cole Sillinger OHA Penticton Prep F CSSHL 5’9″ 154 lbs 2003

6. Dylan Guenther NAX Academy F CSSHL 5’11” 155 lbs 2003

7. Zac Ostapchuk NAX Academy F CSSHL 6’2″ 175 lbs 2003

8. Marc Lajoie NAX Academy D CSSHL 6’2″ 205 lbs 2003

9. Corson Ceulemans OHA Edmonton Prep D CSSHL 6’0″ 170 lbs 2003

10 Jake Chiasson Yale Hockey Academy F CSSHL 6’1″ 148 lbs 2003

11 Matt Smith Delta Hockey Academy Green D CSSHL 5’11” 140lbs 2003

12 Eric Alaire Rink Hockey Academy F CSSHL 6’0″ 175 lbs 2003

13 Jayden Grubbe Calgary Bisons F AMBHL 6’1″ 170 lbs 2003

14 Colten Dach OHA Edmonton Prep F AMBHL 6’0″ 160 lbs 2003

15 Brett Hyland NAX Academy F CSSHL 5’11” 155lbs 2003

16 Lochlan Gordon Nax Academy G CSSHL 6’0′ 165 lbs 2003

17 Graham Sward Yale Hockey Academy D CSSHL 6’0″ 148 lbs 2003

18 Ethan Samson Delta Hockey Academy Green D CSSHL 5’10” 132 lbs 2003

19 Tyson Laventure OHA Edmonton Prep F CSSHL 6’0″ 155 lbs 2003

20 Colby Armstrong Airdrie Xtreme F AMBHL 5’7″ 155 lbs 2003

21 Tristan Zandee Airdrie Xtreme F AMBHL 5’10” 155 lbs 2003

22 Drew Sim OHA Edmonton Prep G CSSHL 6’1″ 180 lbs 2003

Beginning of the year I had Hayden Wilm in my top 20 of the WHL watch list, Hayden has dropped out of my top 25 list. I sometimes ask myself if Hayden even wants to play hockey some games that I have watched? In the Swift Current Tournament which was a lower tier tournament compared to Medicine Hat, I thought Hayden would have dominated in this tournament. He didn’t exactly stand out to me, I really had to pick him out. I think Hayden can be a WHL player, but after watching his performance I would have to say he might be a 3rd-4th round draft pick. Hayden is very inconsistent, seems to choose when he wants to play, or just doesn’t finishes plays like I know he can. When I watched him as a first year bantam in Warman, SK at the Bantam Western Championship, I thought he could of been a 1st round draft pick last year, but after watching a few games of his I do question where he is at and what is going on there? There was a few players that I really like from the Saskatoon Outlaws and Regina Monarchs. I watched a game of the Outlaws vs Regina Aces the day after I got back from Medicine Hat. I watched the Regina Monarchs at the Swift Current Tournament, feel there is about three or maybe four that could get drafted, but not necessary WHL players for sure.

I do honestly believe that Carson Lambos will be drafted #1 overall. He is a great defensemen, and has the size to be a great WHL player. Logan Stankoven would be my #1 overall pick, I think he is the most skilled player in this years draft. Logan has great speed and skill. I honestly believe he might be a bit quicker when he has the puck, and has a quick release. Logan has a gifted talent that you just cannot teach a player, your born with it. Whoever drafts Logan, will have the most skilled player in this years draft.

Thanks,

Paul Laberge