The Winnipeg Monarchs had a terrific season as they won the Winnipeg Bantam AAA East Title, but just lost out on a provincial championship to the Eastman Selects.
One of the Monarchs who had an amazing season is defenceman Sam Court. And he was rewarded for his efforts when he was picked 9th overall by the Steinbach Pistons during the 2019 MJHL Bantam Draft this past Sunday.
“When I heard that I was drafted by the Steinbach Pistons, I was excited,“ Court said when asked about his reaction. “I have heard great things about the Pistons organization and the community supporting the team. I look forward to what the future holds. “
Court was second on the Monarchs with 38 points (13 G, 25 A) this season, and was fourth amongst bantam defenceman in Manitoba with that total. “I would describe my game as an offensive defenceman,“ he explained. “I like to step up in the play to create scoring chances. I also like to block shots and make it hard for players to play against me.”
For Sam, hockey has been in his family for all of his life. His dad works at the BellMTS Iceplex, and his two older brothers, Riley and Zach, have played hockey at a high level in Manitoba and around North America. Zach spent his junior years playing in the USHL and in the BCHL with the Nanaimo Clippers and Merritt Centennials, before playing his first year of NCAA Division I hockey with the University of Alaska-Anchorage this past season. Riley played for many years with the Charleswood Hawks in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League.
For Sam, the younger brother, he says his siblings have helped guide him along the way. “They push and support me in order to be the best I can be,” he explained. “I am very fortunate to have two older brothers that are great hockey mentors.”
As school is coming to an end for him, Court is heading into the summer with a plan to get better in time for the upcoming season. “My plans for summer are to keep progressing as a player by working hard in the gym with AJ Zeglen (Strength and Conditioning coach for the Winnipeg Jets) and working hard on the ice with Dave Cameron (Skills Coach at the BellMTS Iceplex).”