Locals taken in WHL Bantam Draft

By Mario Prusina Times Editor

Mario Prusina
Times Editor

A pair of Strathmore players were selected in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, which was held at the Cambridge Hotel & Conference Centre in Red Deer on May 2.
Defenceman Cyle Clayton was selected in the fifth round, 106 overall to the Brandon Wheatkings, while goaltender Austin Elliott was taken in the 12th Round, 261 overall by the Saskatoon Blades.
For Clayton, who played last season with the Okotoks Oilers Bantam AAA, it was a day to remember.
“It was really exciting and a huge honour … to have an opportunity to play hockey at the next level,” said Clayton. “I think my strengths are my vision for the ice, my ability to make a good first pass exiting the defensive zone, as well as my ability to find shooting lanes.”
Clayton was the top scoring defenceman with the Oilers, registering seven goals and 27 assists for 34 points in just 33 games.
While the plan is to play in Okotoks again next year – where the team finished second in their division – Clayton knows what he needs to do to get his game to the next level.
“I will have to work on every aspect of the game,” said Clayton. “I understand that I have been given a huge opportunity and this is only a small step towards my main goal of playing in the WHL. I have to work on my foot speed as the game is a lot faster and just getting stronger with training.”
The Brandon Wheat Kings were two points out of the Eastern Conference Wild Card Race, finishing the season with a 31-29-8.
Elliott, who played last season in Saskatchewan for the Notre Dame Hounds Bantam AAA, is excited for joining the Blades.
“It was exciting and proved that hard work pays off,” said Elliott. “The possibility of playing for the Blades in a couple of years and to keep striving to be the best that I can be (is exciting).
(President and General Manager Colin Priestner) was impressed with my athleticism and that I play with a chip on my shoulder. He welcomed me to the club and looked forward to seeing me at rookie camp. He sees similarities with their veteran goalie (Nolan Maier).”
Elliott had a solid season with Notre Dame, where the team finished with a 10-15-5 record. The 5’7” goaltender went 8-8 in 16 games, while registering a 3.57 goals against average and a .898 save percentage.
He hopes to play on the Elite 15 in Notre Dame next year, or make the jump to triple-A midget.
“My strengths are my movement, hybrid style and tracking the puck,” said Elliott. “I play bigger than my size in net and play lots of pucks. I have to continue to work on my strength and quickness both on and off the ice.”
The Saskatoon Blades finished the WHL season with a 45-15-8 marker, good enough for fourth in the league standings.