In these unprecedented times, some joy was brought to the lives of 71 bantam hockey players in Manitoba.
The 2020 MJHL Bantam Draft was held this morning online, with coaches and scouts selecting their crop of talent from their computers either at their home or in their team offices. The Steinbach Pistons selected six players today to complete their 2005 draft class of eight total players.
As a result of winning the regular season title, the Pistons had the honour of having the final pick in each of the rounds. Steinbach had an extra 4th round pick which came via the Winnipeg Blues, and did not have a 6th round pick as that one was sent to the Blues.
The Pistons would like to congratulate and welcome all of the 2020 draftees and their families to the organization, and we look forward to seeing them at our upcoming Rookie Camp next season.
With Head Scout David Anning’s comments below, here is the complete list of Steinbach’s selections:
1st Round – 11th Overall: Brett Kaiser (Forward, Winnipeg Warriors)
Height: 5’7” Weight: 130 pounds
Kaiser was the first of three Winnipeg Warriors taken by the Pistons in the 2020 MJHL Draft. A right-handed shooting left-winger, the Winnipeg product scored 24 times and added 35 assists for 59 points in 36 games played for the undefeated Warriors.
Head Scout’s Comments: “We were very excited to take Brett with our first selection. He was the player we had targeted and hoped he was there for our pick. He is a very smart, well-rounded player with very good offensive instincts. We really like his game at both ends of the ice.“
2nd Round – 22nd Overall: Colin Wiebe (Goalie, Eastman Selects)
Height: 5’7” Weight: 135 pounds
Wiebe was the first goalie selected in today’s draft. The New Bothwell native had a great season for the Selects, recording a 13-6-0 record in 19 starts with a .924 SV% and a 2.07 GAA.
Head Scout’s Comments: “Taking Colin in the second round goes against the recent history of the MJHL Draft, in terms of which round goaltenders get selected. But we really wanted to get him. He is very well deserving to go in that spot as we had him as the top goaltender. He was consistent all season and played very well against all the top teams.“
3rd Round – 33rd Overall: Blake Goretzki (Defence, Winnipeg Warriors)
Height: 5’9” Weight: 220 pounds
The right-handed shooting solidly built d-man from Winnipeg was third amongst his fellow defencemen on the Warriors in scoring, nabbing 9 goals and adding 26 assists for 35 points in 32 games played.
Head Scout’s Comments: “Blake moves very well. He’s a right-hand defenceman with strong puck skills and a heavy shot. He definitely has a presence on the ice.
4th Round – 37th Overall: Reeve Sukut (Forward, Winnipeg Warriors)
Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 pounds
Sukut was the third and final Winnipeg Warrior to be selected by Steinbach in this year’s draft. The right-winger was third on his team in scoring, and eighth in the Manitoba Bantam AAA League with 75 points (40 G, 35 A) in 35 games played this season.
Head Scout’s Comments: “It was a pleasant surprise to get Reeve when we did. He’s a strong power forward who can score, and is always around the puck.”
4th Round – 44th Overall: Jayce Thompson (Forward, Southwest Cougars)
Height: 5’10” Weight: 145 pounds
A right-hand shooting forward from Brandon, Thompson was third on the Cougars in scoring this past season with 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points in 36 games played.
Head Scout’s Comments: “Jayce does a lot of things very well. He has a very good stick and an excellent release.”
5th Round – 55th Overall: Lewis Hartung (Forward, Eastman Selects)
Height: 5’10” Weight: 140 pounds
The Steinbach native Hartung is now a part of his hometown team as he was the Pistons’ final pick in this year’s draft. The left-handed shooting forward nabbed 9 goals and 22 points this past year for the Selects.
Head Scout’s Comments: “Lewis is a strong, physical forward who is competitive and is always hard to play against.”