Gower leads Westman contingent at WHL draft

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This article was published 19/05/2022 (1471 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After spending the morning at school, McCreary’s Ryan Gower headed over to the house of Parkland Rangers under-15 AAA teammate Luke Myhre to follow along with the 2022 Western Hockey League draft.

When Gower’s name came up on the screen after being picked by the Prince Albert Raiders in the second round with the 32nd overall selection, Myhre started yelling and jumped on his close friend in celebration.

“I didn’t quite catch on to what was happening for a couple of minutes,” Gower admitted. “It hit me like a pretty big wave.

“I wasn’t even expecting to be picked that high, let alone in the second round. I was very shocked but also really grateful to be selected by the Raiders in that spot.”

A few hours later, Gower returned the favour to his friend when Myhre was picked by the Portland Winterhawks in the fifth round with the 106th overall selection.

“I actually didn’t even see it on the screen when it happened,” said Myhre, who is from Dauphin. “My brother (Jake) came running upstairs yelling ‘Luke you just got drafted’ and then Ryan jumped all over me.

“I’m still trying to process it all through my mind but I’m really happy right now. It’s been an exciting day.”

It was also a memorable afternoon for Wawanesa’s Jack Clark, who was selected in the 12th round by the Swift Current Broncos with the 228th overall pick.

The Southwest Cougars forward and his family were preparing supper at their house when they found out that Clark was selected.

“I really had no idea what was going to happen today,” Clark said.

“It’s a feeling of relief to see your name up there and I’m looking forward to having a good time in Swift Current when I go to my first camp there.”

Gower — who stands five-foot-eight and weighs 143 pounds — put up 34 points (13 goals and 21 assists) in 32 games for the Rangers last season on his way to leading the U15 AAA Winnipeg Hockey League in defensive scoring.

While he was disappointed to have his 2020-21 with the team cut short due to COVID-19, Gower didn’t let that get in the way of his pre-season preparations last summer.

“I tried to work as much as I could on my strength and speed … and I definitely felt a lot more confident coming back this year, especially with having a better idea of what to expect from the handful of games I did play with the Rangers the year before,” Gower said.

“Ryan’s a great kid and he’s going to be a fantastic prospect for Prince Albert,” Rangers head coach Tom White added. “His ability to transport the puck out of the defensive zone, whether it’s through his skating or making a good first pass, is where he’s really improved the most.”

The six-foot-three, 170-pound Myhre led the Rangers in scoring with 46 points — 28 goals and 18 assists — in 31 contests in a campaign where he continued to gain confidence.

“When I first tried out for the team a year earlier, I didn’t feel all that great and I wasn’t even sure I’d make team,” Myhre said. “This season … we were all just so happy to be playing hockey again and I was having an awesome time.”

“Luke’s not scared to drive to the far post,” White added. “He’s a big, strong kid with a great shot.”

Clark — who is five-foot-nine and weighs 155 pounds — was the leading scorer this season for the Cougars.

He recorded 52 points (35 goals and 17 assists) in 29 games and had the seventh most goals in the league.

“Jack is a real exciting player to watch,” Cougars head coach Glen Tosh said. “He has good speed and a real good shot off the rush, but his best attribute is his compete level. He has a motor that never quits.”

When it comes to next season, all three players aren’t completely sure where they will be suiting up.

Gower and Clark will be trying out for the Rangers and Cougars U18 programs respectively, while Myhre is looking at either playing for the Rangers or attending a hockey academy.

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