Internet is hard to come by here at the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft so check my twitter (link here) for updates throughout the day. I’ve got a couple of minutes here just to tell you about the first two picks of the draft for Swift Current.
The Broncos went with a couple of big, young defencemen out of Alberta. At 2nd overall they selected LD Brycen Martin from the Calgary Bisons. Martin (pictured above) is listed at 6’1 and 160lbs. Just briefly talking to Broncos AGM Jamie Porter he says they believe Martin is the most dynamic defenceman in the draft and someone who could run their power play at a young age. That’s the kind of playing Mark Lamb identified as a need all season long. Not only is he an excellent skater… but he’s not exactly tiny either. He’s already over 6 feet and lots of room to grow.
Western Elite Hockey Prospects had Martin going #1 to Calgary in their mock draft. The Hitmen instead picked dynamic forward Jake Virtanen out of Abbottsford. That opened the door for the Broncos who had to choose between consensus top defencemen Martin and Ryan Pilon. When I have a chance to talk to Porter again after the first round I’ll find out what put Martin over the top.
The WEHP newsletter describes Martin as a tremendous skater with a good shot and excellent hockey sense. Whenever I’ve talked to someone about Martin they’ve mentioned his skating. I know his stock was also on the rise throughout the weeks and months leading up to the draft. I think he’ll be a very exciting player to watch for Swift Current.
For more on Martin click here for a profile on him by Dan Sallows.
The Broncos weren’t done in the first round though. They had another pick at 13th overall and went with another defenceman from Alberta. This time they picked up LD Zack Gonek from the St. Albert Sabres. Gonek is listed at 6’1 and 185lbs. Porter told me he has an element of physical play that is missing from the Broncos blue line. That’s what Swift Current fans will like to hear.
Western Elite Hockey Prospects had him ranked 11th and described him as a hard-hitting, stay at home defenceman. That will do nicely in combination with Martin. Could we perhaps be seeing the cornerstones of the future Broncos Power Play and Penalty Kill selected in the same round?
Gonek isn’t completely without offensive ability or anything. He was the top scoring defenceman on his team putting up 22 points in 28 games. I’m sure we’ll learn more about him soon.
The first round just wrapped up so I’m going to go and grab some audio. I’ll be back with interviews. Ryan Switzer is doing an interview with the first round picks for me back at our studio as well. Stay tuned to the blog for some of that audio shortly.
Shawn Mullin's Swift Current Broncos Blog 