For many 15-year-old Manitoban hockey players, the MJHL Draft can be a time of excitement and nervousness. After a grueling season with countless hours on the road and in rinks, players follow the draft meticulously to see if they have been chosen by one of the eleven Manitoba Junior teams.
Landon Roberts, the Steinbach Pistons 11th overall pick in this years MJHL Draft, was honored to hear that he had been drafted by Steinbach. “I had just come in from working outside, when my dad handed me the phone. My mom called to let me know that I had been drafted by Steinbach 11th overall.”
Roberts who plays a two-way, physical game, was exactly what the Pistons scouting staff was looking for in this year’s MJHL Draft. “I am a hardworking, explosive power forward that plays a full 200 foot game,” explains the 6’0”, 170 lbs 15 year-old. “I am a strong, efficient skater who uses my physicality to battle on the boards and protect my team mates.”
Roberts played for the Southwest Cougars Bantam AAA team this past year where he posted 25 goals, and 27 assists for 52 points in 31 games. Despite having a strong individual year, Roberts and his team didn’t finish the year as they hoped. However, the product of Souris, Manitoba believes that he learned a lot and that his experiences will help him moving forward.
“My AAA Bantam season may not have garnered the results we, the team, wanted, but we played well and made a lot of progress as the season went on. I gained a lot of valuable experience being captain of the team, which I hope to bring to the Pistons someday.” As a result of his play, Roberts was also drafted by the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey league with the 129th pick in the 6th round.
Although Roberts is from the western side of the province, he has been to Steinbach and is familiar with the area. “I played in the Hockey Provincials my minor bantam year, as well as the Manitoba Summer Games in Steinbach. I enjoyed my time in Steinbach and it seems like a welcoming community.”
As for his bright future, Roberts is committed to pursing his hockey career as far as it will take him while also focusing on his academic studies. “Education is important to me, and is my top priority. I aspire to be able to play hockey at the highest level possible, taking advantage of every opportunity that comes my way. I am willing to pursue my education while playing hockey but I am not opposed to delaying my post-secondary education to pursue my hockey goals.”
The Steinbach Pistons would like to congratulate Landon for being chosen by the organization and would like to welcome him and his family to the Pistons community.