2020 BANTAM DRAFT: McIlwain adds big boost to draft class

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This article was published 09/05/2020 (2156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon Wheat Kings certainly selected a different kind of defenceman when they chose Oakley McIlwain in the Western Hockey League bantam draft on April 22.

The WHL club has placed a premium on puck movement from the back end in recent drafts, and has seldom picked players like McIlwain, a six-foot-two, 180-pound defender who turned 15 in April. 

“I really like to use my size to my advantage,” McIlwain said. “You would definitely see more of a gritty player out of me, maybe getting that extra little shot in there the odd time and playing a physical game. I like to almost scare my opponents a little bit when they’re playing against me. 

“I think my speed has definitely gotten better and is definitely a big part of my game and how I like to play. My puck movement and my IQ are pretty good, the way I see the ice and see the next play coming. I think that’s definitely gotten better.”

Brandon grabbed the product of Lloydminster, Alta., in the seventh round with the 142nd overall selection.

In 29 games with the Lloydminster Bobcats in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, McIlwain had four goals, six assists and 60 penalty minutes.

Wheat Kings assistant general manager Doug Gasper said on draft day that McIlwain has great mobility.

“He gets around the ice very well,” Gasper said. “He keeps the game simple, moves the puck, has a good, physical hard edge to him. He’s hard to play against and defends his own end very well and he’s a guy who looks to join the rush. His skating allows him to jump up and get back on the play. Any time you can add a 6-2, 6-3 guy with great mobility, you’re pretty excited.”

In the last five seasons, Brandon has traded for bigger defencemen in Mitch Wheaton, Dmitry Osipov, Kade Jensen, Braydyn Chizen and Dom Schmiemann.

By the time he was picked on April 22, McIlwain was out in the backyard burning off some nervous energy.

“I was outside shooting pucks in the backyard,” McIlwain said. “It was the fifth or sixth round and I was sitting on the couch watching it and I was getting a little bored so I decided to go and do something. My mom was sitting there and I looked in the window and I saw her jumping up and screaming. I went running into the house and she told me. 

“She told me it was Brandon, who talked to me a lot before the draft so I wasn’t too surprised it was them. I’ve been happy ever since.”

He said it was nice to create a bond with Brandon’s staff prior to getting selected, which allowed him to know a bit about the city and the organization.

The opportunity to potentially play in the WHL is certainly a goal for the right-handed shot. 

“It’s definitely a big dream of mine,” McIlwain said. “Growing up, I’ve always wanted to be as successful as I can in my career and I think playing in the WHL is definitely a big step. Hopefully it’s another big step in my career. The WHL has had a lot of good players come out of it, especially defencemen. I believe if I continue doing what I have been and being successful on the ice that I can definitely make it.”

McIlwain started skating at age three or four with a little rink in their backyard and began playing hockey a year later.

He’s not the only player in the extended family as his 19-year-old first cousin Chad McIlwain played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the La Ronge Ice Wolves last season.

Oakley plans to play in Lloydminster again next season, either with the major midget team in the Alberta Midget Hockey League or with the under-16 Bobcats in the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League, depending on which club he makes.

He’s targeted his skating as an area he needs to improve and has worked with Power Edge Pro, a company that helps players refine their game.

“Being a bigger guy, it’s definitely footwork and quick feet,” McIlwain said. “It’s quick hands and quick feet and being quick with the puck, quick acceleration and Power Edge Pro stuff. I work with them. And it’s getting faster and stronger.”

He also wants to clean up his play in his defensive zone and not worry quite as much about joining the rush. 

Despite the pandemic lockdown, McIlwain continues to progress. He has a good gym setup at home so he’s been getting a workout in every day, and also goes for runs to boost his cardio. He shoots pucks in his backyard as well.

“I’m trying to be as active as I can while still staying in the house,” McIlwain said. “It’s pretty hard but I’m staying in touch with my gym trainer and my coaches to help me with stuff I need to work on and get me stronger.”

He also likes to golf in the summer.

He said he began to follow the WHL more closely as the draft approached and watched as many games as he could. 

“I believe it’s a successful development league with lots of players who come out of it and have good careers in the NHL,” McIlwain said. “I’m very interested in it and paid attention a lot.”

He knows he’ll have to get stronger to compete against WHL forwards, but that he’ll also have to improve his mental game to succeed in making the 900-kilometre move to Brandon.

“My mindset definitely has to change on and off the ice,” McIlwain said. “I think that I definitely have to become more professional to make the step forward going from playing midget to the WHL.”

 

» This is the sixth of 11 profiles on players selected by the Wheat Kings in April’s WHL bantam draft.  

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