Joey Moffatt and Logan Calder, this year’s auto protects.
The Portage Terriers acquired 4 players in the Bantam draft held yesterday in Selkirk along with two local players that the organization auto protected.
In the first round the Terriers picked 11th and chose forward Jason Kotchon, a left handed shot that had 34 points in 32 games with the Winnipeg Sharks of the Winnipeg AAA bantam league.
Frank Harding, Terriers Head Scout and Director of Player Personnel describes Kotchon as a hard working player that plays 60 minutes. “Kotchon is a strong skater with a high hockey IQ that fits the mold of the type of player that the Terriers target.”
The Terriers selected another left shooting forward in the second round, 22nd pick with Tanner Morrison. Morrison put up 39 points last season for the Brandon Wheat Kings Bantams of the Winnipeg AAA League with 18 goals and 21 assists in 36 games.
“Morrison is a great skater who is good in all zones as well as being good defensively. He has skill and puts up good numbers” – Harding said.
The Terriers were without picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds due to previous trades.
Portage’s next pick came in the 5th round, 47th overall with defenceman Ryden Fedyck. Fedyck, a Medicine Hat Tigers prospect had 22 points in 32 games with the Winnipeg Sharks.
Also in the 5th round, 47th overall, was goaltender Trent Minor. Minor suited up in 27 games last season with the Brandon Wheat Kings Bantam AAA team posting 23 wins and 3 losses with 5 shut outs. Also a WHL prospect as he was drafted in the first round by the Vancouver Giants.
Harding describes both players as among the best in Manitoba in this year’s draft class at their positions. “We might have a chance to get these guys. Maybe not a great chance, but you never know and if they do come it will be great for us.”
The Terriers chose two local Portage players from the Central Plains Capitals with their auto-protects. Line mates Joey Moffatt and Logan Calder finished 1-2 in scoring, with Moffatt leading the way with 96 points and Calder a close second with 80.
Harding describes the day as a success as the organization is pretty happy with who they added to the organization.