Ralph overcomes draft disappointment

Carson Ralph wants to be a Western Hockey League player.

The 16-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings prospect wasn’t drafted a year ago but was listed last October, had a terrific camp and signed with the club last week. Now he has his sights set on a roster spot.

“Man, that’s the only goal,” Ralph said with a chuckle. “It’s my biggest goal. Obviously, since I was a kid going to Oil Kings games, and now I’m here playing in this facility. Just everything about it, the town, the people, the rink. Even when we went to Regina (for a pre-season game on Friday), I went and looked at the ice surface and it was unlike anything I had ever seen.

“It’s still crazy to me that I’m here right now.”

The Wheat Kings host the Swift Current Broncos tonight at Assiniboine Credit Union Place this evening at 7, and then the teams visit Virden’s Tundra Oil and Gas Place on Saturday evening at 7:30 in their final weekend of pre-season action.

The five-foot-10, 187-pound forward grew up in St. Albert, northwest of Edmonton. He played his 13-year-old season with the St. Albert Blues under-15 team, then joined the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in his draft year of 2023-24, putting up 16 goals and 32 assists in 34 games, and then seven more points in five U15 AAA playoff games.

Even so, he wasn’t picked in the WHL draft.

“Obviously it really sucked when it happened, but it doesn’t mean anything now,” Ralph said. “All the top-two rounders are in the same spot as me, we’re all signed, and even some guys aren’t. I had to work for everything I got, which I really like. I didn’t get handed anything. “I worked for everything, and that’s really rewarding now, but it did light a really big fire.”

He returned to the U17 AAA St. Albert Flyers last season, contributing 22 goals, 19 assists, and 58 penalty minutes in 34 games, and then scored eight goals in eight playoff games with six assists.

Brandon listed him early last season.

“I’m just lucky to be put into this position and invited to camp and listed by the Brandon Wheat Kings,” Ralph said. “When I came here, my goal was to try to make a good impression, which is a good thing. I did that, and when (head coach and general manager Marty Murray) offered me that contract, it was the best feeling I ever felt.”

“I think they really like the physical aspect of my game,” he added. “I bring my body and frame and I’m not afraid to muck it up. I’m going to work hard. I obviously made a couple of nice plays and scored a couple of goals, which always helps. I think my attitude and positivity on the bench they also liked, which is good.”

Wheat Kings assistant coach Del Pedrick said Ralph has been one of the good news stories of camp, but added like all young players, he has lots to learn about what it takes to thrive in the WHL.

“Carson is a list guy who came into camp and surprised lots of us,” Pedrick said. “He lived up to billing within the camp. He’s a guy who has to adjust to the pace of junior hockey and the day-to-day grind and the necessary work he has to put in.”

While no one in Ralph’s immediate family has played the game at a high level, there are ties to the WHL in his bloodline.

Several of his uncles have played junior, including Brandon Ralph, who suited up for the Oil Kings and Everett Silvertips for three seasons between 2013 and 2016. Others skated in the Saskatchewan and Alberta junior hockey leagues.

Ralph, who has always been a forward, said his first taste of junior hockey couldn’t have gone much better.

“They’re all great guys,” Ralph said. “The vets are great, the twenties are all awesome. I get along with pretty much everyone. I got to play with (Chase) Surkan a lot, and I really like playing with him. He can shoot the puck and I can pass to him when he shoots it and scores goals. It’s different than anything I’ve seen, but I think me being around those better players will help me play better too.”

The gregarious youngster has clearly made himself at home, although he’ll need a good showing this weekend to stick in his 16-year-old campaign.

With 10 veterans in the lineup, that leaves three to five spots open for a group that also includes 16-year-old top draftees Chase Surkan and Prabh Bhathal, 17-year-olds Jimmy Egan, Ryan Boyce, and Asher Lucas, and soon-to-be 18-year-old Gunnar Gleasman.

Even so, Ralph is enjoying every minute.

“It’s still shocking, that I get to come to this building and see the people that I see,” Ralph said. “I didn’t know anyone. Honestly, I looked at the camp roster and knew one or two guys, and that was about it. I think I made an impression on everyone and get along with everyone, so it’s really good.

“It’s a super, super welcoming group of vets and coaching staff. Marty has been awesome, Del has been awesome, all of them. They’ve all been great, and that’s really helpful when I come to camp.”

ICINGS: In a deal Thursday, the Victoria Royals sent a seventh-round pick in 2029 to the Regina Pats for 2007-born centre Ashton Brown of Sherwood Park, Alta. … The Wheat Kings open the regular season on Sept. 19 when the Moose Jaw Warriors visit. The teams meet in Saskatchewan one night later.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com