The summer may mean no hockey, but it does not mean coaches, managers, and scouts aren’t working, especially with last week’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Bantam Draft.
The June 2 draft in Nipawin saw the Melfort Mustangs with only five picks in the six round draft as their second round pick went to Melville in the Evan Plotnik trade.
Rick Oakes, the Mustangs’ director of player personnel, said their goal going into the draft was to recuperate some picks.
The Mustangs were able to do so as they sent the third overall pick to Estevan in exchange for the 11th overall pick, the 29th overall pick and a 2019 draft pick.
Despite giving up the third overall pick, Oakes said he was not worried, noting that there was a lot of talent in the first round.
“Our goal was to get a forward and we felt there was quite a few quality forwards available in the first couple rounds and we were confident we would get a good guy at 11.”
Cade Hayes
The Mustangs used the 11th overall pick to select forward Cade Hayes.
The Leader native is an eighth round pick of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
“He’s a skilled guy, he competes hard, he put up some really good numbers this year, wore a letter for his team, so he’s got some leadership qualities.”
Hayes played this past season with the West Central Wheat Kings in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League where he scored 31 goals and 68 points in 33 games.
“[He] has the potential to be a very good junior A player down the road,” noted Oakes.
Davin Griffin
After sitting out the second round, the Mustangs used their first of two picks to select forward Davin Griffin 27th overall.
The Regina native is a fifth round pick of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.
“He skates so well and he’s just got the ability to score goals and those guys are hard to find nowadays,” said Oakes.
Griffin was one of the SBAAHL’s top point getters last season with the Regina Monarchs scoring 68 points in 30 games, good enough for sixth best in the league.
While his points were good, it was Griffin’s goal-scoring ability that stood out as he scored a league high 50 goals.
Despite scoring so many goals, Oakes said he was not overly surprised to see Griffin slip to the third round.
“He is a Western League pick of the Prince Albert Raiders so I’m sure he’s going to have some Western League aspirations. We have to be patient with Davin and hopefully at some point we’ll see him in a Mustangs jersey down the road.”
Rylan Donald
With the third round pick they acquired from Estevan, the Mustangs selected defenseman Rylan Donald 29th overall.
The Star City native is a fourth round pick of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets.
“He’s more of a laid-back, sees the ice pretty well, puck moving kid... I wouldn’t really call him a big tough guy, he’s more of a puck moving stay-at-home kind of guy with some offensive ability,” Oakes noted.
Donald enjoyed a solid season with the North East Wolfpack, scoring six goals and 20 points in 29 games.
Ayden Third
With their fourth round pick, the Mustangs selected defenseman Ayden Third, 39th overall.
The Regina native went undrafted in the Western Hockey League’s Bantam draft, despite scoring 11 goals and 25 points in 33 games with the Regina Pat Blues.
Oakes calls Third a solid all around player who does a lot of things well.
“He put up some good offensive numbers, shoots the puck really well but he can play a gritty game and he defends well in his own zone.”
Boston Maxwell
After selecting two defensemen in a row, the Mustangs moved back to the forward ranks with their fifth round pick as they selected Boston Maxwell 51st overall.
The Saskatoon product is a fourth round pick of the WHL’s Prince George Cougars.
“He is a big body, he skates really well for a kid of his size already... has some offensive abilities as well but just does everything well. He’s a good, strong prototypical winger,” said Oakes.
Maxwell enjoyed a steady season with the Saskatoon Stallions where he scored 23 goals and 44 points in 32 games.
One of the things that Oakes is excited about is that Maxwell has committed to play next season with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League.
Nolan Sparks
With their final pick of the draft, the Melfort Mustangs selected forward Nolan Sparks 63rd overall.
The Saskatoon native went undrafted in the WHL, despite scoring 11 goals and 26 points in 27 games played.
Sparks is a big kid who does some things really well, said Oakes.
“He can play physical, he can score, does the little things well, pays a lot of attention to detail, just has lots of upside to him, lots of potential to him and we thought it was worth a shot in the sixth round.”
