Six weeks after the Cloverdale Colts placed second at the BC Hockey Bantam Tier 1 championship tournament, the team found something more to celebrate.
Seven players from the Colts were selected in today’s Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, including two in the first round.
Centre Tyler Soy was chosen eighth overall by the Victoria Royals while defenceman Parker Wotherspoon was claimed by the Tri-City Americans with the 26th pick.
“Victoria got a steal,” said Colts head coach Brian MacGillivray. “I thought Tyler would be a top three pick. I judge a player by how much he makes his teammates better, and Tyler has that quality. He can play any style, he can be your best scorer or he can be your best checker.
“And Parker could one day play at the highest level. In my opinion, he’s the best defenceman in the draft.”
Other Colts selected were left winger Jakob Stukel (second round, 37th overall by the Vancouver Giants), left winger Chris Seto (third round, 45th overall by the Kelowna Rockets, defenceman Tyler Fraser (third round, 55th overall by Tri-City, defenceman Jordan Henderson (fourth round, 72nd overall by the Spokane Chiefs, and Dylan McCann (ninth round, 178th overall by the Prince George Cougars).
Colton Kroeker, a centre with the Surrey Thunder, was also drafted. He was claimed 134th overall by the Regina Pats in seventh round.