Former GPAC'ers Drafted By WHL
By LOGAN CLOW
Daily Herald-Tribune
A little bit more of competition has been added in the Bjorklund household.
After Grande Prairie product Paycen Bjorklund was drafted in the second round, 25th overall as a forward by the Tri-City Americans in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, his younger brother Garin, 14, a goaltender, was selected in the first round, 21st overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in Thursday’s draft.
“It’s always a pretty big competition (between us). We’re both competitors. But, I have to give a huge thanks to him for shooting on me ever since I was four years old. He’s a big role model to me,” said Garin, a few hours after being drafted.
Garin who comes in at 5’11”, 147lb, played for the Calgary CBHA Bisons Bantam AAA the past season. He played in 24 games and posted a 15-6-3 record with a 1.97 GAA and 0.918 save percentage en route to being named the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League’s Top Goaltender.
“Garin is a gifted athletic goalie that has tremendous quickness, we would like to welcome Garin and his family to the Tigers organization,” said Tigers Director of Player Development Darren Kruger, on the team’s website.
The Bjorklund brothers are the highest local draft picks taken in the WHL Bantam Draft in recent years.
Garin was the first goalie taken in Thursday’s draft.
“As soon as Medicine Hat walked up (to the podium) and they said ‘from the Calgary Bisons’, I was expecting it to be one of my other teammates, but it was me. I was shocked. Totally unexpected. But, I was so happy and proud and full of emotions,” he said.
“It’s probably the best day of my life and just an unreal moment.
“I’m happy they picked me and it seems like a great city to play in and hopefully I can crack the line-up.”
Last season, Garin played for the Global Bus Lines Bantam AAA Storm and compiled a 5-10-1 record.
Though he said he’s eager for the next steps in his hockey career, he noted there’s still plenty of development to come.
“I’m a butterfly goalie and can move from side-to-side in net very well. I just bring a good compete level and just very athletic and do (what I can) to win and am just a good leader,” he said, crediting his family and former coaches, including Murray Toews.
“There’s always things to work on, even if it’s just mentally, physically or emotionally. It’s a high mountain to climb and the steepest hasn’t even come yet.”
Kaden Reinders
After Bjorklund, the next area player to be drafted was Peace River’s Kaden Reinders.
The defenceman was selected in the third round, 52nd overall by the Victoria Royals.
He played the past two seasons with GPAC’s Bantam AAA Storm. This year, he was named the team’s Top Defenceman.
Sheldon Kwiatkowski
Swan City forward Sheldon Kwiatkowski was then selected in the third round, 66th overall by the Calgary Hitmen.
He led the Bantam AAA Storm this season with 28 goals and 30 assists before being named the team’s MVP and Top Forward.
Sheldon is second cousins with former NHL player. Joel Kwiatkowski. Joel played 282 NHL games between the Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers.
Jace Isley
The defenceman was the last local player to be taken in the WHL Bantam Draft.
Isley, who played for the OHA Edmonton Bantam Prep this season and registered one goal and 14 assists, was drafted in the fifth round, 107th overall by Red Deer Rebels.
Ethan Edwards
Former Grande Prairie minor hockey player Ethan Edwards was selected 165th overall by the Portland Winterhawks.
