Watch above: In the 2015 WHL draft, the Saskatoon Blades picked in the first round for the first time since 2010. With the 12th overall selection, the team picked a speedy defenceman from Alberta who is already showing great leadership qualities. Jack Haskins reports.
SASKATOON – At long last, the Saskatoon Blades finally utilized a first-round draft selection this past off-season. With the 12th overall pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, the Saskatoon Blades picked Jonathan Tychonick, a speedy defenceman from Calgary.
The last time Saskatoon possessed a higher seed in the draft was when the Blades selected Duncan Siemens third and Brent Benson sixth overall in 2008. Tychonick was eight years old at the time.
It’s easy to see why the Blades nabbed Tychonick so early on in the draft process. The 15-year-old blue-liner blazes down the ice effortlessly and handles the puck as if it were attached to his stick blade.
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“I like jumping up on the play,” says Tychonick. “I like creating some offence with the team and keeping the puck out of the net.”
Tychonick is an offensive defenceman. He racked up 58 points in 33 games in his final year of bantam hockey.
Blades head coach and general manager Bob Woods admires Tychonick’s ability to make something out of nothing.
“He loves to have the puck on his stick and he’s an exciting player that makes something happen every time he’s out there,” said Woods.
When the Blades selected Tychonick, not only did they acquire a skilled young player, but they may have found a future captain. Jonathan is very vocal on the ice, barking out commands to his teammates.
He seems to possess a leadership quality that you rarely see from a 15-year-old attending his first WHL training camp.
“Leadership is a huge aspect of my game. When the boys are going, it gets me going as well,” said Tychonick.
Because of his age, Tychonick is not eligible to play in the WHL this season, but he plans on working on every facet of his game this year in order to prepare himself for the next step in his career.
Tychonick hasn’t signed with the Blades, but considering the fact that Saskatoon hasn’t inked a first rounder since 2010, you can bet that getting him to put pen to paper is a top priority for the team.
Training camp concludes with the team’s annual “blue/white” scrimmage at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the SaskTel Centre.
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