The Winkler Flyers added eight new prospects at the 2019 Manitoba Junior Hockey League Bantam Draft, Sunday morning in Winnipeg. Flyers General Manager Jeff Jeanson, Head Scout Mike McAulay and the rest of the Flyers’ scouting staff were extremely pleased with how the draft unfolded and feel that all eight of their picks will have a bright future with the Orange and Black.
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ROUND 1 – 3RD OVERALL: F – BRODY BEAUCHEMIN (04)
HOMETOWN: ILE DES CHENES, MANITOBA
TEAM: EASTMAN SELECTS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: A highly skilled center from the Provincial Champion Eastman Selects AAA Bantam team. Brody has excellent vision and playmaking abilities but can also finish. He drives offence, is competitive and possesses a high hockey IQ. His game will remind Winkler fans of past Flyer great Jeff McGill
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ROUND 2 – 14TH OVERALL: F – NICHOLAS McKEE (04)
HOMETOWN: TREHERNE, MANITOBA
TEAM: PEMBINA VALLEY HAWKS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: A center from the Provincial Finalist Pembina Valley Hawks Bantam team where he was also an alternate captain. Nick is a very skilled forward with a high compete level. He skates well and likes to get into the dirty areas to create offense. He makes smart plays in small spaces and has an accurate shot with a quick release.
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ROUND 3 – 25TH OVERALL: F – MICHAEL CICEK (04)
HOMETOWN: WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
TEAM: WINNIPEG MONARCHS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: A big, rangy centerman from the Bantam 1 East City Champion Winnipeg Monarchs. Michael is a player that controls the play down low on the cycle or can beat you off the rush. Has a heavy shot with a good release. A very offensively gifted player but is also committed to playing a 200 foot game.
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ROUND 3 – 31ST OVERALL: F – ZACHARY NICHOLAS (04)
HOMETOWN: WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
TEAM: WINNIPEG MONARCHS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: Played for the Bantam 1 East City Champion Winnipeg Monarchs. Zach can play both forward and defence at a very high level. He has a good overall skillset and uses his big frame to his advantage to protect the puck. With his diversity, he plays an excellent 200 foot game; reliable in both ends of the ice
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ROUND 4 – 36TH OVERALL: D – DOBIE UNRAU (04)
HOMETOWN: EAST ST. PAUL, MANITOBA
TEAM: WINNIPEG SHARKS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: Dobie played for the Bantam 1 Winnipeg Sharks who were city finalists last year. He has elite skating abilities that allow him to get to loose pucks quickly on the retrieval and control gap spacing in the neutral zone. He plays the game with his head up, makes a good first pass and can generate offense from the back end.
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ROUND 5 – 47TH OVERALL: F – LIAM RUSSELL (04)
HOMETOWN: WEST ST. PAUL, MANITOBA
TEAM: WINNIPEG HAWKS AAA BANTAM
SCOUTS COMMENTS: Liam played for the Bantam 1 Winnipeg Hawks last season where he was the team captain. He is a throw back winger that is very strong and likes to get in on the forecheck and physically dominate his opposition. Possesses very good offensive abilities as evidence by his team lead in goals last season. Has a very heavy, accurate shot and can battle through traffic to generate offense.
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ROUND 6 – 57TH OVERALL: F – JESIAH BENNETT (04)
HOMETOWN: WINNIPEG, MANITOBA
TEAM: RHA NATIONALS BANTAM PREP.
SCOUTS COMMENTS: An offensively dynamic player from the RHA Bantam Prep program. Jesiah has game changing speed and skill and uses it effectively. He’s a player that pushes the pace, driving defense back but also has shown a penchant for taking pucks hard to the net.
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ROUND 6 – 61ST OVERALL: F – JOSHUA FAST (04)
HOMETOWN: EAST ST. PAUL, MANITOBA
TEAM: CHURCHILL H.S. BULLDOGS
SCOUTS COMMENTS: Josh is a forward that played for the Churchill Academy Bulldogs last season in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League. Josh is a very good skater, with quickness and agility that allows him manage the puck in tight areas. A very competitive player and has a sneaky quick shot which he uses in tight or on the rush.
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The Flyers would like to welcome all eight players and their families to the Flyers organization and look forward to seeing them in Orange and Black uniforms soon.