The Prince George Cougars picked Manitoba-born defenceman Carsen Carels with their first-round choice, 15th overall in Thursday’s WHL Prospects Draft.
The offensive-minded Carels, a native of Cypress River, Man., had 13 goals and 31 assists for 41 points in 24 games this past season for the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy Buffaloes U-15 Prep.
He led the U-15 Hockey Academy U-15 Prep exhibition tournament in scoring with nine goals and 21 assists in 14 games. Carels had an exceptional second half of the season and finished 11th in Canadian Sports School Hockey League scoring.
Cougars director of scouting Bob Simmonds said the Cougars identified Carels early in the season watching his hockey ability as a speedy skater with great vision able to quarterback the power play. He had an exceptional second half of the season which shot him up the charts.
“One thing that really stood out for us was his leadership ability and his character,” said Simmonds.
“Pilot Mound was often in tough in games against some of those top-tier teams and Carson put his team on his back on more than one occasion and really acquitted himself well as a leader and a great person. We did a lot of research and his character is just off the charts, not to mention his ability to play the game at a very high level.”
Pilot Mound is a small community 187 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.
Forward Kayden Lemire was the Cougars’ next pick in the second round, 37th overall. The six-foot-four, 176-pound Edmonton native played for Okanagan Hockey Academy Edmonton U-15 Prep. In 27 games he collected 28 goals and 63 points and 78 penalty minutes.
The Cougars has two other second-rounders, both obtained through trades.
The used their 43rd pick (from Seattle Thunderbirds) to select defenceman Dermot Johnston from Red Deer Rebels U-15 triple-A. Listed at six-foot-two, 185 pounds, Johnston is from Olds, Alta.
At 44th overall (from Winnipeg ICE) Prince George went with forward Townes Kozicky from Calgary Bisons U-15 triple-A. The five-foot-seven, 130-pound Calgary native scored 23 goals and had 60 points in 34 games.
In the third round, 63rd overall, the Cats selected forward Patrick Sopiarz from OHA Edmonton U1-5 Prep. The six-foot, 181-pound Edmonton native totaled 22 goals and 46 points in 25 games.
The Cougars didn’t have a fourth-round pick (traded to Victoria) and in the fifth round, 103rd overall they selected forward Ethan Hamilton of Lanigan, Sask., who scored 14 goals and had 27 points in 21 games playing for Humboldt Broncos U-15 double-A.
Other Cougar picks, with their hometown and team affiliation, were:
Sixth round, 125th - defenceman Logan Jugnauth, Okanagan Rockets U15 triple-A;
Seventh round, 140th (from Swift Current) – forward Emile Plourde, Sherwood Parl, Alta., Sherwood Park U-15 triple-A;
Seventh round, 147th – goalie Luke Norman, Saskatoon, Saksatoon Generals U-15 double-A;
Eighth round, 169th – defenceman Ryan Pedersen, Rocky View, Alta., Notre Dame Hounds U-15 triple-A.
The Prince Albert Raiders held the top two picks in the draft and chose defenceman Daxon Rudolph of Lacombe, Alta., first overall. Rudolph played for Northern Alberta Xtreme U-15 Prep, and in 50 games he had 17 goals and 33 points.
Forward Riley Boychuk of Cochrane, Alta., went second overall to the Raiders. He put up 18 goals and 80 points this past season for the Airdrie Xtreme U-15 triple-As.
Forward Mathis Preston of Penticton was the first B.C. player chosen, picked third overall by the Spokane Chiefs. He scored4 5 goals and 81 points for Okanagan Hockey Academy U-15 Prep.
The Edmonton Oil Kings used their 12th overall pick to take forward Joe Iginla, the younger son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome. The Lake Country native had 37 goals in 27 games for RINK Academy Kelowna U-15 Prep.
K Academy Kelowna U-15 Prep.
