Lucas Ochitwa was a first round pick by the Melfort Mustangs in the 2016 SJHL Bantam Draft. (Facebook/Broad Leaf Media)

By Mat Barrett

SJHL Bantam Draft

SJHL set for Bantam Draft, broadcasted on SaskTel Max

May 28, 2020 | 9:00 AM

While things have been dormant in the hockey world on the ice since mid-March, work is still being done off the ice.

For the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), their 2020 Bantam Draft is set for Friday, June 5, and this year will be a bit different on a few fronts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the draft will take place virtually, either by conference call or some sort of video call. Secondly, it will be hosted in Regina and broadcast on SaskTel Max.

Some details are still to be ironed out, but teams will make their selection and submit it to the league before it is announced on live television. Commissioner Bill Chow said having SaskTel jump on board has been in the works, and it should add something new to the draft process.

“I think it’ll add some excitement to the draft,” he said. “Hopefully some of the players will be excited, I’d like to think they’re excited about getting excited about getting drafted into the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the opportunity that sits before them.”

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Previously, the draft would take place as part of the leagues Annual General Meetings that have most recently taken place in Nipawin, but that will all be done virtually.

Rick Oakes is the director of player personnel for the Melfort Mustangs and said normally there’s already some virtual aspects for them when it comes to drafting, so having it completely be virtually won’t be too big of a deal for the Mustangs.

“It’s going to be a little different with everybody being on teleconference,” Oakes told northeastNOW. “But I think for the most part we’re going to be able to communicate to the level we need to make the selections we want to make.”

As for the players being selected in this years draft, those born in 2005 will be eligible to be selected. Fifty three players from Saskatchewan were drafted in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft, showing a very strong crop of players at this birth year. Those 53 players are still eligible to be drafted into the SJHL, but Oakes said there’s some risk and reward when taking players who have been drafted into the WHL already.

“Some years we go fairly conservative and take a fairly cautious approach and kind of go for the sure shot guys,” he said. “But there’s other years where we’ve kind of swung for the fences a bit and got some higher end guys that we haven’t seen, so it’s a real balancing act and trying to find those balances can be tough.”

While there was plenty of high end talent taken in the WHL Draft including forward Riley Heidt (second overall) who is the brother of former Mustang Tyler Heidt, Oakes believes there’s still lots to choose from this year.

“There’s still some good kids there,” he said. “Lots of depth there as far as local kids, and lots of good future talent coming up the pipeline.”

Last year, the Mustangs had seven picks over the six round draft and took four forwards, along with three defencemen, a good balance to try and keep the cupboards full with players in all positions.

“We’re going to be looking for the best talent that’s available when we pick,” Oakes said. “We’ll try and shoot for a balance of defence and forwards, and might throw in a goaltender there as well.”

Three players who were SJHL drafted played for the Mustangs last season. Lucas Ochitwa was a first round pick in 2016, while Christian Albertson was a fourth round pick that year. Luc Marleau suited up for Melfort early in the year before spending much of the year in Junior B with Carrot River, and he was a second round pick by La Ronge in 2016.

This year, the Melville Millionaires have the first overall selection as they finished last in the regular season standings. Melfort will slide in at 10th overall after a third place finish in the regular season.

Here is the full draft order, trades are not included, but are allowed by teams:

1. Melville Millionaires
2. Weyburn Red Wings
3. Notre Dame Hounds
4. Kindersley Klippers
5. Nipawin Hawks
6. Humboldt Broncos
7. Estevan Bruins
8. La Ronge Ice Wolves
9. Yorkton Terriers
10. Melfort Mustangs
11. Flin Flon Bombers
12. Battlefords North Stars

The draft kicks off at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 5 on SaskTel Max.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6