Winnipeg, MB – The league’s 2019 Annual General Meetings wrapped up Sunday (June 9) with the MJHL Bantam Draft.
The Swan Valley Stampeders continued to shape the future of their organization, drafting five highly skilled players born in 2004.
Coming off one of their best seasons in franchise history, the Stampeders finished the regular season second in MJHL standings. As a result, they would select in 10th spot throughout the draft. The Stampeders did not hold their own pick in the fifth round due to a earlier trade, but had acquired Virden’s pick in the Jesse Mistlebacher deal. The club sat idle throughout the sixth round as they traded that pick to Selkirk in the Noah Basarab – Bradly Goethals deal back in October.
The Stampeders drafted five Manitoba born players and auto-protected two locals from the Swan River Valley.
We want to welcome Keefe Gruener, Owen Pickering, Owen Harris, Alex Kaczorowski, Nolan Van Den Bussche, Steven Arp, and Matthew Munro, along with their families to the Stampeder Organization.
Here is a full recap of today’s draft selections.
Round 1:
Pick #10: Keefe Gruener
Position: Forward
Height: 5’6” Weight: 152 lbs
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
2018-19 Team: Winnipeg Monarchs Bantam AAA
Stats: 42 Games Played, 16 Goals, 21 Assists, 37 Points.
Round 2:
Pick #21: Owen Pickering
Position: Defence
Height 5’7” Weight: 131 lbs
Hometown: St. Adolph, MB
2018-19 Team: Eastman Selects
Stats: 39 Games Played, 8 Goals, 12 Assists, 20 Points.
Round 3:
Pick #32: Owen Harris
Position: Defence
Height 5’9” Weight: 181 lbs
Hometown: Wawanesa, MB
2018-19 Team: Southwest Cougars
Stats: 30 Games Played, 7 Goals, 16 Assists, 23 Points.
Round 4:
Pick #43: Alexander Kaczorowski
Position: Forward
Height: 5’7” Weight: 111 lbs
Hometown: Stonewall, MB
2018-19 Team: Interlake Lightning
Stats: 39 Games Played, 18 Goals, 21 Assists, 39 Points.
Round 5:
Pick #51: Nolan Van Den Bussche
Position: Forward
Height: 5’6” Weight: 136 lbs
Hometown: Dugald, MB
2017-18 Team: Southwest Cougars
Stats: 39 Games Played, 14 Goals, 15 Assists, 29 Points.
Round 6: No Selection (Traded to Selkirk)
Auto Protected Players:
Steven Arp
Position: Forward
Height: 5’11” Weight: 137 lbs
2018-19 Team: Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA
Stats: 36 games played, 41 Points (24 Goals, 17 Assists, 36 PIMs).
Matthew Munro
Position: Defencemen
Height: 5’10” Weight: 145 lbs
2018-19 Team: Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA
Stats: 35 Games Played, 26 Points (4 Goals, 22 Assists , 38 PIMs).
“We are really happy to add the players we did today,” said Head Coach and GM Geoff Grimwood. “Darren Webster and Mitch Kirkup did an incredible job targeting the type of players and people we want wearing our sweater. Overall we are extremely excited about the players we selected today and can’t wait to see them in camp.”