Calgary Hitmen eye future with 2020 WHL Bantam Draft
Posted Apr 22, 2020 12:26 pm.
Last Updated Apr 22, 2020 12:36 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — With the Calgary Hitmen’s 25th anniversary campaign grinding to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus is now on what’s to come, starting with the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft.
“This is where teams build the core of their roster,” Hitmen play-by-play voice Brad Curle explained.
“Just looking at the Hitmen from this past season, six of their top seven scorers were all picks in the WHL draft, including their MVP and Ottawa Senators draft pick Mark Kastelic. He was a second-round selection in 2014.”
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Calgary’s first pick of 2020 was 12th overall, and the club decided to look to the Sunshine Coast to select Oliver Tulk of Gibsons, B.C.
The forward led the Bantam Prep with Delta Hockey Academy in scoring in the 2019-20 campaign with 69 points in just 30 games.
“Oliver is a terrific two-way offensive player, and we are very excited to add him to our program,” Hitmen Director of Player Personnel Dallas Thompson said Wednesday.
“He’s a quick skater with very good vision and has an excellent shot.”
Tulk is following in the footsteps of some big names selected by the Hitmen in past Bantam drafts.
“You think back to 2005, Calgary took a pair of players back-to-back in round four,” Curle recalled.
“You may have heard of them: Michael Stone and Martin Jones. They are two guys who were great juniors and have had lengthy NHL careers.”
And with over a dozen selections in this year’s draft, the Hitmen’s scouting department is looking at the bigger picture.
“You might not recognize many names from the picks today, but it’s their potential the team is looking for,” Curle added.
