Wheaties prospects preparing for prime time

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/12/2023 (742 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While the Western Hockey League season churned along, the next wave of Brandon Wheat Kings were labouring elsewhere for the chance to potentially join the team in the future.

Here’s a player-by-player look at the team’s last three main drafts, American drafts plus the listed players they’ve added. To provide context, every player from each draft is included, including those who have been released.

Players who are committed to American schools remain on Brandon’s college list, which doesn’t count against its 40-man roster.

Here’s the key to the stats:

First line — 1-5 for Jaxon Jacobson signifies he was taken in the first round with the fifth overall pick. F is his position, and signed means he has signed a standard player’s contract and intends to skate in the WHL.

Second line — Team, and level of play.

Third line — Height, weight and what hand he shoots. For goalies, it’s what hand he catches with.

Fourth line — Goals, assists, points, penalty minutes.

All heights and weights are from Brandon’s camp in August, unless the player didn’t attend. All stats are from the team the player has spent the most time with this season, and were compiled on Monday.

Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton was only asked to comment on players who are prospects, so all current Wheat Kings, released players and college-committed players were excluded.

2023 DRAFT (2008-born)

• 1-5 — Jaxon Jacobson, F. (signed).

Brandon U18 AAA.

5-8, 160 lbs, L.

13gp, 16g, 22a, 38p, 6PIM.

(Has played two games with Brandon.)

MOULTON: “Coming back from an injury in the pre-season, Jax has really rebounded. He’s already taken over the scoring lead in his league with playing less than half the games compared other guys. It shows the character of Jaxon and how hard he works to get where he needs to be. We’re super happy with his progression. It will make him more ready for next year.”

• 1-19 — Giorgos Pantelas, D. (signed).

Rink HA U18 Kelowna prep.

6-2, 190 lbs, R.

15gp, 2g, 6a, 8p, 10PIM.

MOULTON: “His team has had some fluctuations and inconsistency, but George is one of those guys that usually what you expect, you get. George has had a good year. I’m sure he wants to create more offence but he’s been doing a great job on the defensive side of the puck, and learning that side of it to make sure he’s ready to come.”

• 2-27 — Nigel Boehm, D. (signed).

Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA.

6-0, 170 lbs, L.

23gp, 0g, 3a, 3p, 26PIM.

MOULTON: “Just like Jaxon, he started the season injured. I just watched Nigel play recently and he’s starting to be the old Nigel. The big thing about him is he prides himself on the defensive side of the puck and does a great job. You can see that what he’s trying to do is be a polished, well-rounded guy who is the shutdown guy against most teams’ best players.”

• 4-71 — Isaac Davies, F. (signed).

Airdrie U18 AAA.

5-10, 170 lbs, L.

22gp, 7g, 6a, 13p, 46PIM.

MOULTON: “He’s learning he has to work hard every night. He’s a massive physical presence in that league. The opposition always knows he’s on the ice. The thing about Isaac is he’ll have to start contributing the offence he did at U15, but that will come in time.”

• 5-94 — Ryan Boyce, F.

Edge U17 prep.

5-9, 157 lbs, L.

13gp, 4g, 9a, 13p, 24PIM.

MOULTON: “He’s another guy who had injury problems the last little while, but Ryan is a leader on his U17 team and has been used an affiliate on his U18 team. Ryan has a ton of skill and offensive tools and he’s showing that regularly. He’s taken the steps we need. It’s nice that he plays a large role on his U17 team.”

• 5-95 — Knox Bendera, F.

Sherwood Park U18 AAA.

5-6, 139 lbs, L.

21gp, 4g, 7a, 11p, 14PIM.

MOULTON: “Knox started off slowly offensively, but always gives an effort. You never have to second guess Knox’s compete level. I had a good talk with him and said he has to start creating on the offensive side and sure enough, in the last few weeks he’s really started to create offence. He’s finding his game.”

• 6-121 — Dylan McFadyen, G.

Interlake U18 AAA.

6-2, 142 lbs, L.

10gp, 2.96 gaa, .918 save%.

MOULTON: “He eventually found himself a home in Interlake and it’s worked out really well for him. He’s playing with confidence right now, he’s growing into his body. What you saw was this tall, gangly kid who just needed to grow into his body and keep working. The move for Dylan has been really good for him.”

• 7-137 — Jack Swaenepoel, D.

Southwest U18 AAA.

6-2, 206 lbs, L.

23gp, 1g, 2a, 3p, 8PIM.

MOULTON: “The thing with Swanny is he is a big man and he’s learning how to play within that large frame. What we’re trying to teach him now is to use his body and show some more physical aggression. For us, it’s not about being rough and tumble or pounding the body, it’s having a presence for a big man. He’s actually had a really good start to the year, he just has to make he understands he has the gift of a large, strong body and he has to utilize that to protect the net and win puck battles.”

• 7-142 — Maddox Gandha, F.

Rink HA U18 Kelowna prep.

5-11, 173 lbs, L.

15gp, 1g, 6a, 7p, 6PIM.

MOULTON: “Maddox is Maddox. He plays on the U18 team and his coach really has a lot of trust in him. He’s seen some power-play time, but tons of really hard minutes. He kills a lot of penalties because he’s smart and works really hard. Maddox is a very consistent guy who brings a consistent effort every night. I know he would like to create more offence but that’s a tough league for a first-year player. That will come.”

• 8-160 — Cameron Allard, D.

Estevan U18 AAA.

6-2, 168 lbs, R.

29gp, 3g, 17a, 20p, 22PIM.

MOULTON: “Cam has had a great start. He’s the top scorer of 2008 defencemen in the Saskatchewan U18 league and for us, that’s huge. We’ve always known he was a good player, I don’t think he got the respect he deserved last year. The fact he’s playing with lots more confidence since he moved from Yorkton to Estevan, it was the right move for him. They give him a ton of ice time and he just keeps growing.”

• 9-181 — Julian Fedora, F.

Winnipeg Wild U17 AAA.

5-11, 170 lbs, L. AAA.

20gp, 14g, 7a, 21p, 0PIM.

RELEASED.

U.S. DRAFT

• 1-6 — Reed Brown, F.

Okanagan (Colorado) U15 AAA.

5-10, 157 lbs, L. 11gp, 6g, 8a, 14p, 24PIM.

MOULTON: “Reed has had an amazing start to the year. He is turning into one heck of a player. He’s an impactful guy. In most parts of the game, he plays with speed and tenacity but also thinks the game at a high level. Well-rounded kid with some offensive flair.”

• 2-28 — Jimmy Egan, F.

Mahtomedi HS.

6-0, 165 lbs, L.

9gp, 4g, 11a, 15p, 8PIM.

MOULTON: “He’s playing high school hockey as one of the youngest guys in the league, and Jimmy is doing his thing. Jimmy is a great player. For his age, he’s incredibly strong and mature. He has lots of skill, and for being a young man in a high school league, he’s done great.”

2022 DRAFT (2007-born)

• 1-12 — Joby Baumuller, F.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

5-11, 190 lbs. R.

22gp, 1g, 2a, 3p, 8PIM.

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 2-34 — Easton Odut, F. (signed).

Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA.

5-8, 162 lbs. L.

16gp, 9g, 13a, 22p, 30PIM.

(Has played one game with Brandon.)

MOULTON: “Odie is one of the guys we never have to doubt if he’s going to be hard to play against or his compete level. He’s an agitator, a guy who likes to get involved. What Odie is starting to do now is he’s getting some offence. That’s the thing with Easton. It’s nice to have a guy who is hard to play against but he’s still going to have to contribute and this year, especially lately, he’s really starting to find his offensive game.”

• 3-56 — Emerson Clark, D. (signed).

Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA.

5-11, 159 lbs. L.

16gp, 1g, 6a, 7p, 32PIM.

(Has played three games with Brandon.)

MOULTON: “He joined us on the U.S. swing and fared really well. Emerson is a safe player. He does a lot of things well but nothing fancy. He just makes a great first pass, has a great stick defensively and quietly goes about his business. He’s unbelievably effective.”

• 4-78 — Gradey Hope, D. (signed).

St. Albert U18 AAA.

6-0, 186 lbs. L.

22gp, 5g, 10a, 15p, 60PIM.

MOULTON: “He moved to St. Albert and his coach there has given him a large leash, which allows him to not only handle the puck more but to play with more physicality. I think it was a great move for Hoper. The last time I saw him play, I could see he was really gaining his confidence back. I like his game right now.”

• 5-97 — Brady Turko, F. (signed).

Brandon U18 AAA.

5-11, 152 lbs. R.

22gp, 16g, 20a, 36p, 14PIM.

MOULTON: “He has done everything we asked. We knew he had a chance to be a signed player and play for us next year but we wanted to make sure he knew that we wanted him to be an offensive leader and a somewhat dominant player in his league. Through hard work and intelligence, he’s one of the most dominant players in the league. I’m excited about his future with us.”

• 5-100 — Quinn Parker, F.

RHA Winnipeg U18 prep.

6-2, 175 lbs. L.

4gp, 1g, 0a, 1p, 26PIM.

QUIT HOCKEY/RELEASED.

• 7-144 — Dominic Grieco, F.

Red Deer U18 AAA.

5-11, 174 lbs. L.

17gp, 3g, 5a, 8p, 6PIM.

RELEASED.

• 8-158 — Ryder Green, G.

Cariboo U18 AAA.

5-10, 158 lbs. L.

13gp, 2.84 gaa, n/a save%.

MOULTON: “He’s been super solid playing U17 in Prince George. He just keeps growing physically but also as a goaltender. He has lots of confidence and has had a really good first half of the season.”

• 8-166 — Tao Flory, D.

Battlefords Stars U18 AAA.

6-0, 187 lbs. R.

29gp, 2g, 2a, 4p, 34PIM.

MOULTON: “I watched him the other night. He’s a great kid who makes plays. He has a real simple game but does a lot of things well. He’s a big-time leader on his U18 team and sees a ton of ice time. He’s doing what we need him to do and getting the opportunities.”

• 8-172 — Liam Loughery, D.

Burnaby Winter Club U18 prep.

6-1, 195 lbs. L.

12gp, 0g, 7a, 7p, 4PIM.

RELEASED.

• 9-188 — Brendyn Van Oene, F.

Shawnigan Lake School U18 prep.

6-0, 179 lbs. L.

19gp, 9g, 14a, 23p, 10PIM.

MOULTON: “I thought Brendyn had a slower start to the season and then all of a sudden he started to find his goal-scoring touch. He’s a goal scorer but he’s learning that scoring isn’t the only thing he needs to do and he’s learning to do a lot of things away from the puck. Once he gets that, he’s going to be that much better. He’s still one of the top goal scorers in the U18 prep league.”

2022 U.S. DRAFT

• 1-2 — Jake Stuart, D.

U.S. U17 team.

5-9, 139 lbs. L.

7gp, 2g, 1a, 3p, 8PIM.

(Committed to Denver).

• 2-43 — Carson Craig, D.

Vegas Jr. Golden Knights 16U AAA.

5-7, 131 lbs. L.

15gp, 2g, 5a, 7p, 8PIM.

MOULTON: “He’s a leader on his team. It’s a much better team playing against much better competition. It’s made him better. He’s had to lift his game for sure. He’s one of those kids who is still going to grow and get stronger.”

2021 DRAFT (2006-born)

• 1-3 — Charlie Elick, D.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

6-3, 199 lbs. R.

33gp, 3g, 13a, 16p, 10PIM.

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 1-4 — Roger McQueen, F.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

6-5, 190 lbs. R.

33gp, 16g, 18a, 34p, 33PIM.

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 1-22 — Caleb Hadland, F.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

5-10, 181 lbs. L.

33gp, 8g, 15a, 23p, 23PIM.

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 3-64 — Carter Klippenstein, F.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

6-2, 170 lbs. L.

32gp, 4g, 4a, 8p, 13PIM.

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 4-86 — Carter Rimstad, D.

Canmore, AJHL.

6-2, 195 lbs. R.

22gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 45PIM.

RELEASED.

• 5-108 — Evan Lambert, D.

Winnipeg Blues, MJHL.

6-0, 175 lbs. L.

19gp, 1g, 3a, 4p, 32PIM.

RELEASED.

• 6-114 — Ethan Eskit, G.

Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL.

5-10, 185 lbs. L.

11gp, 3.67 gaa, .879 save%

He is now a full-time WHL player.

• 7-152 — Drew Williamson, F.

SAHA U18 prep.

5-8, 160 lbs. L.

17gp, 1g, 9a, 10p, 4PIM.

RELEASED.

2021 US Prospects Draft

• 1-22 — Colin Frank, F.

Dubuque USHL.

5-8, 161 lbs. R.

26gp, 6g, 2a, 8p, 8PIM.

(Committed to Connecticut)

TRADED.

• 2-32 — Ethan Gonyeau, D.

South Shore, NCDC.

5-10, 170 lbs. L.

16gp, 2g, 4a, 6p, 42PIM.

RELEASED.

LIST PLAYERS

• Nathan Crellin (2008), F.

Calgary Flames U18 AAA.

6-2, 168 lbs. L.

21gp, 9g, 14a, 23p, 10PIM.

MOULTON: “He’s had a great start. He’s over a point per game in the U18 AAA league as a first year. He’s a lanky kid with a great reach, really good instincts. It was a great list for us because he’s a good player. We’re lucky we got him.”

• Grayson Moroz (2008), G.

Delta U17 prep.

6-0, 152 lbs, L.

7gp, 3.09 gaa, .918 save%.

MOULTON: “He’s growing physically, having good starts. He’s a goalie. He keeps taking steps, doing all the work, all the extras.”

• Ben Binder Nord (2007), F

Edge U18 prep.

5-11, 148 lbs. L.

14gp, 3g, 3a, 6p, 39PIM.

MOULTON: “Ben has been great. He’s playing on the U18 team at Edge, which is a very good team. He plays in all situations, plays with tenacity and has a physical presence up the middle. Ben is doing what Ben needs to do to be successful. I’d like to see him create more offence for sure but it’s not for lack of effort.”

• Ethan Stewart (2007), F.

Brandon U18 AAA.

5-10, 160 lbs. R.

22gp, 14g, 14a, 28p, 18PIM.

MOULTON: “He goes in waves in Brandon. He gets three goals and then goes quiet but Ethan is a horse. He’s strong on pucks, he has really good offensive instincts. He’s taken another step. Playing on that Brandon team is helping him. He’s starting to find his game.”

• Owen Corkish (2007), F.

Park High.

5-8, 148 lbs. R.

4gp, 5g, 4a, 9p, 0PIM.

MOULTON: “Owen has had a great start the year. He’s playing in Cottage Grove (Minn.) and playing with speed, creating, being a leader. We really like Owen. Anything you ask of Owen, he just does. He wants to be a hockey player.”

• Dylan Ronald (2006), D.

NAX U18 prep.

6-0, 181 lbs. L.

7gp, 0g, 6a, 6p, 2PIM.

MOULTON: “Dylan broke his leg last December and he didn’t play a hockey game for almost a complete year. He played his first game of the season in the first week of December. He’s coming along quite well. He’s ahead of schedule and slowly looking like the old Dylan. We told him we would be patient with him just because he’s such a good kid and works so hard and he was playing so well before he got hurt. He’s just starting to come into his own and I’m excited to see where he’ll be in a month or two.”

COLLEGE LIST

• Dylan James (2003), F.

University of North Dakota.

6-0, 180 lbs. L.

18gp, 3g, 5a, 8p, 4PIM.

• Hunter Wallace (2003), F.

Brooks, AJHL.

5-7, 165 lbs. L.

26gp, 15g, 10a, 25p, 59PIM.

(Committed to Merrimack College)

• Liam Watkins (2004), F.

Des Moines, USHL.

6-1, 201 lbs. L.

26gp, 2g, 12a, 14p, 6PIM.

(Committed to Nebraska-Omaha)