Ashton Tait. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Mintos moving on up

P.A.’s Tait drafted in 2nd round by Blazers, Kraus in 3rd by Royals

Dec 9, 2021 | 4:03 PM

Prince Albert’s Ashton Tait is the latest player to get put into the Mintos-Blazers pipeline.

The Kamloops Blazers used their opening pick of the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft to select Tait in the second round, 26^th overall.

Tait follows a steady pipeline of Prince Albert Mintos that have made the move out west to Kamloops, including now Nashville Predator/Milwaukee Admiral goaltender Connor Ingram, Josh Pillar and Kyrell Sopotyk in recent years.

“Those guys are just so important to the Mintos organization. Just to follow in their footsteps is awesome. I’ll do my best to impress,” Tait said. “I’m so excited. It seems like a great place, great organization and they’re off to good start this year (18-4, second in WHL Western Conference). It’s good to see they have that winning mentality there.”

Tait has been a goal-scoring machine for the Mintos this year, with 14 in 20 games. That leads all Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League rookies in goal scoring—and ties his for fifth in the overall goal-scoring race alongside Mintos teammate Jacob Cossette.

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Jayden Kraus (File photo/paNOW Staff)

Tait wasn’t the only Prince Albert product to be drafted in the first few rounds. Mintos goaltender Jayden Kraus was selected at the beginning of the third round by the Victoria Royals. Kraus has a .929 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average in 14 appearances for the Mintos, with a 7-5-1 record.

“I am so happy for him. He’s the hardest working guy I’ve ever met. He does those little things that others wouldn’t,” Tait said. “He’s such a great guy, does all the little things and is just an amazing goalie. I’m so excited for him when I heard that.”

Although it was a huge day for Tait, and Kraus and their families, the players involved are just thinking about getting back to the rink and to continue getting better each day.

“Just itching to get back. The work starts today,” Tait said. “We have practice, and you have to work for a spot there and show that the pick was worth it.”

Bourdon goes to Swift

Defenceman Luc Bourdon was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the ninth round, making him the third Prince Albert player in the draft to be selected. Bourdon has three assists in 22 games this year with the Tisdale Trojans at the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW