Raiders’ Fonstad ‘surprised’ to be highest Sask-player drafted this year

Fonstad was so surprised that was the case that he wasn’t checking on the results of the WHL Bantam Draft on his way to school.

“It was pretty exciting. I wasn’t really watching (the draft) at that time, I didn’t think I’d go that early,” said Fonstad. “One of my buddies told me, so I was pretty pumped.

“I was kind of surprised. I talked to them a couple times since after Sask First [tournament in April] and they talked to my dad a few times. I kinda had a couple thoughts about it, but it’s still a surprise.”

Dale Derkatch, Raiders director of player personnel, said their first choice in Fonstad projects as a top line centre and a “phenomenal talent.”

“For our first pick, we wanted the best player available and Cole was the guy,” said Derkatch. “We’ve been watching him all year right from August on and he was the guy we targeted and wanted.

“Fonstad is slick skating, just an effortless skater who makes players around him better. He can make plays, he can score and he’s very conscientious defensively.”

Although Fonstad and Miller played on rivaling teams in the SBAAHL, it’s not like they’re arch enemies. As a matter of fact, they’re quite the opposite.

“We’re actually pretty good friends,” said Miller. “We like to train together in the summer.

“He’s a great guy. I’ve had the priviledge to play with him quite a bit [in tournaments] in Europe and Buffalo.”

Miller was one of just four players eligible for this year’s WHL Bantam Draft that had scored more than 100 regular season points. He had 107, best in the SBAAHL and just one point behind North Shore Winter Club’s Luka Burzan, who was picked sixth overall by the Moose Jaw Warriors.

Miller credits playing with on a Terriers’ line with the Taphorn twins, Kaedan and Keenan, as part of his triple-digit point year.

“The Taphorns are a lot of fun to play with, they probably made it quite a bit easier. It was a blast. I’m looking forward to what happens next.”

The Raiders scouting staff believe that Miller can contribute in a number of ways on ice. They like his diverse skill set and believe he can succeed at the WHL level.

“Miller is a crafty player who’s good on the power play, he makes nice plays and passes and can score you timely goals,” said Derkatch. “[Fonstad and Miller] two very gifted players.”

After three straight forwards, the Raiders got a defenceman in Tyler Lowe from Calgary with the 64^thpick late in the third round.

Although he’s only been a Raider for a few hours, Fonstad said Raider fans should be excited for the team’s future, especially with all the talent the team has acquired early in Thursday’s draft.

“I’d say we should be excited the next couple years,” said Fonstad. “In the first three rounds, we got some pretty good players and excited for the turnaround.”

Rest of draft

5th, 97th overall, Lane Kirk, LD, Swan River, Man., Parkland Rangers, 33 points in 31 games, ranked 58th by WEHP

6th, 116th overall, Chase Felgueiras, RD Calgary, Alta., Calgary Northstar Sabres, 9 points in 31 games, ranked 189th by WEHP

7th, 138th overall, Garrett Clegg, RW, Sturgeon County, Alta., St. Albert Sabres, 39 points in 32 games, not ranked by WEHP

7th, 142nd overall, Justin Nachbaur, F Cross Lake, Man., 45 points in 30 games, ranked 81st by WEHP

8th, 160th overall, Gavin Hain, F, Grand Rapids, Minn., stats N/A, ranked 35th among Americans by WEHP

10th, 204th overall, Yauheni Astrouski, LW, Edmonton, SSAC, 1999-born

Prince Albert’s Regnier going to Swifty

Prince Albert’s Ethan Regnier is now a Swift Current Broncos prospect, going in the 11th round, 230th overall. Regnier was the Prince Albert Venice House Bantam Raiders leading scorer with 40 points in 31 games.

“It’s an honour to get drafted,” said Regnier. “I didn’t know if I was going to or where, but I’m very excited to have been.”

The Venice House Raiders had a successful year, going all the way to the SBAAHL North finals but ran into a tough Sask Valley Vipers team. Regnier added another seven points in eight playoff games to help his club.

“It was great. We battled through, we pushed every game to Game 3 and won those games which is great,” said Regnier. “Unfortunately, we lost to Sask Valley in the North finals but that’s a great accomplishment for us. We’re really proud of that.”

Mintos players in draft

The Prince Albert Mintos Midget AAA club saw two of their committed players get drafted.

Defenceman Layne Matechuk went in the second round, 40th overall to the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Goaltender Jake Davidson was the fifth goaltender picked the draft, going 77th overall in the fourth round to the Calgary Hitmen.

Both Matechuk and Davidson were on the Mintos’ affiliate list this past season.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea

by Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders’ Fonstad ‘surprised’ to be highest Sask-player drafted this year

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