The Swan Valley Stampeders, and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, held their Annual Draft Saturday June 4 selecting 2006-born players to help shape the future of their team.
Swan Valley held six selections throughout the draft with the highest being number three overall, due to Winnipeg losing their first-round selections from a previous league ruling during the pandemic.
The Stampeders added six new players to the organization over the weekend, drafting three forwards and three defencemen. Owen Warnick (3rd overall), Darren Hunt (16th overall), Cash Clarkson (30th overall), Drew Shiels (44th overall), Ashton Cure (72nd overall), and Ethan McMullan (79th overall).
Prior to the draft, all 14 MJHL teams were given the opportunity to auto-protect two local players, or they could defer those selections for an additional selection in the draft. Swan Valley chose to auto-protect two high-end defence prospects in Jackson Badowski and Andrew Pidskalny, both hail from Swan River.
We want to welcome Owen Warnick, Darren Hunt, Cash Clarkson, Drew Shiels, Ashton Cure, Ethan McMullen, Jackson Badowski, and Andrew Pidskalny, along with their families, to the Stampeder Organization.
Here is a full recap of the draft selections.
Round 1:
Pick #3: Owen Warnick
Position: Forward
Height: 5’10” Weight: 119 lbs
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
2021-22 Team: Rink H.A. Winnipeg U16
Stats: 30 Games Played, 11 Goals, 13 Assists, 24 Points.
Director of Scouting Mitchell Kirkup comments: Elite skill set with puck poise, creativity and the ability to slow the game down. One of the most offensively polished forwards in the draft, Owen is a strong skater that makes those around him better. Great teammate with leadership abilities and demands the best from everyone.
Round 2:
Pick #16: Darren Hunt
Position: Defence
Height 5’11” Weight: 170 lbs
Hometown: Hartney, MB
2021-22 Team: Southwest Cougars U18 AAA
Stats: 39 Games Played, 7 Goals, 5 Assists, 12 Points.
Manitoba Scout Justin Froese comments: Hunt is a smart and stable defender who is a well-rounded, Swiss army type defender. Hunt is strong in his own zone, playing with an edge and with calmness under pressure. Our staff liked his ability to be thrust into any role and have an impact.
Round 3:
Pick #30: Cash Clarkson
Position: Forward
Height 6’1” Weight: 155 lbs
Hometown: Winnipegosis, MB
2021-22 Team: Parkland Rangers U18 AAA
Stats: 44 Games Played, 8 Goals, 10 Assists, 18 Points.
Director of Scouting Mitchell Kirkup comments: A player we liked a lot since he arrived in Swan River last year for rookie camp. Cash plays the game the right way. Doesn’t take a shift off, finishes checks and goes to the hard areas and can beat you in a variety of different ways. He’ll be a great junior player, and the fact he is from Parkland is a bonus.
Round 4:
Pick #44: Drew Shiels
Position: Defence
Height: 5’9” Weight: 140 lbs
Hometown: Killarney, MB
2021-22 Team: Southwest Cougars U18 AAA
Stats: 44 Games Played, 0 Goals, 5 Assists, 5 Points.
Director of Scouting Mitchell Kirkup comments: Shiels is a very intelligent defenceman that reads the ice extremely well. Drew makes a good first pass, jumps into the rush to chip in offensively and effectively gets pucks to the net. The combination of his smarts and skating ability made him a great choice for the Stampeders.
Round 6:
Pick #72: Ashton Cure
Position: Forward
Height: 5’10” Weight: 165 lbs
Hometown: St. Malo, MB
2021-22 Team: Eastman Selects U17 AAA
Stats: 32 Games Played, 9 Goals, 11 Assists, 20 Points.
Manitoba Scout Justin Froese comments: We felt we really got a lot of value late with Cure. He’s a highly-skilled offensive creator who uses speed and IQ to make plays off the rush and will generate chances under pressure. With growth and maturity, he has the upside to be a dynamic winger who can get to high-danger areas.
Round 6:
Pick #79: Ethan McMullan
Position: Defence
Height: 5’8” Weight: 140 lbs
Hometown: Brandon, MB
2019-20 Team: Brandon Wheat Kings U17 AAA
Stats: 34 Games Played, 1 Goal, 14 Assists, 15 Points.
Manitoba Scout Justin Froese comments: A smooth-skating right-shot defender who excels transitioning pucks and generates offensive chances by showing patience and poise. Defends the rush effectively and has a lot of growth potential as a 2-way defender.
Auto Protected Players:
Jackson Badowski
Position: Defence
Height: 5’10” Weight: 146 lbs
2021-22 Team: Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA
Stats: 43 games played, 3 Points (3 Assists, 14 PIMs).
Andrew Pidskalny
Position: Defence
Height: 5’6” Weight: 126 lbs
2021-22 Team: Parkland Rangers Bantam AAA
Stats: 41 Games Played, 3 Points (3 Assists, 22 PIMs).
“We are very excited to be able to draft the players that we were able to draft Saturday,” said Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff. “All quality players and even better people. We would like to welcome all of our newest prospects to the Swan Valley Stampeders organization. I would also like to thank Director of Scouting Mitchell Kirkup and the rest of the scouting staff for their hard work.”
Wolff went on to conclude that the future is most definitely bright with the Stampeders.
“Always an exciting day when the scouting staff gets to add future Stampeders to the organization,” said Head Scout Mitch Kirkup. “We were able to add six great players that were high on our list. The staff is excited to see these young men at training camp in August.”
#MJHLDraft2022 #RunWithUs #The FutureIsBright