Two rural northern B.C. communities will have more representation at one of Canada’s top junior hockey levels in the next few years after producing some high-calibre talent.
Tanner Molendyk of McBride and Terrell Goldsmith of Fort St. James went fifth and 15th respectively in the first round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft on April 22.
This week, both defencemen signed standard player agreements with Saskatoon and Prince Albert, officially committing themselves to developing with the Saskatchewan franchises.
Molendyk will be eligible to suit up for the Blades in the 2021-22 season after putting pen to paper on Monday (April 27).
The 15-year-old moved to Abbotsford to play for Yale Hockey Academy and, despite his blue-line position, he put up 55 points in 27 games, including 46 assists.
“I am so honoured and excited that this moment has come,” said Molendyk in a release, who was also the Lions' captain this past season.
“I’m so happy to be part of such an amazing organization and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
The McBride Grizzlies minor hockey alumni was the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s defenceman of the year and earned top-player honours at the Bauer Elite, John Reid and the NWCAA Flames tournaments last winter.
Meanwhile, as of today (April 29), Goldsmith is officially part of the 2019 WHL champions.
The Fort St. James product wore green for Delta Hockey Academy in the 2019-20 campaign, potting 19 points in 23 games, but also was a physical force.
Towering at six-foot-three, the 15-year-old clocked in 77 penalty minutes.
“I like to play physical, I like to compete and contribute both offensively and defensively in moving the puck,” Goldsmith told the WHL Network.
“I want to improve my skating. Keep working on getting faster as the level gets higher and just getting quicker with better skating.”
Goldsmith is an alumni of Fort St. James Stars minor hockey association.
He was the teammate of Fort St. John’s Caden Brown, who was the Prince George Cougars’ second pick in the draft at 17th overall.
They won the inaugural U.S. Challenge Cup in Seattle earlier this year before CSSHL playoffs were cut short due to COVID-19.
