KELOWNA – The Kelowna Rockets used their first pick in the WHL Bantam Draft to try to bolster their blue line.
In the 11th selection of the draft, team management chose defenceman Kaedan Korczak who played midget AAA with the Yorkton Maulers last season.
“We’ve had a philosophy for years that the back-end is very important,” says assistant general manager Lorne Frey in a news release. “You don’t win without some defencemen that can defend and also provide some offense. Kaedan is a big, solid, all around two-way player. He’s a good skater, he’s mobile and can play in every situation. He has a chance to be a stable defenceman for years for us.”
Korczak, 6’1″ and 170 pounds, will play another year in Yorkton before being eligible to join the Rockets.
He says he was shocked to be picked by Kelowna.
“It was a very exciting moment. They develop good players, it’s a nice city with a nice rink and a great organization.”
Korczak describes himself as a two-way player.
“I know when to jump in the rush and create an offensive attack and also know how to stay in my own end and play defense.”
Korczak will attend the Rockets training camp this summer.
The list of the Rockets bantam draft picks with their position, hometown and team:
1. Kaedan Korczak – Defence – Yorkton, SK – Yorkton Maulers Midget AAA
3. Deegan Mofford – Centre – Rocky Mountain House, AB – Red Deer Bantam AAA
3. Dallon Wilton – Forward – Beausejour, MB – Eastman Bantam AAA
3. Roman Basran – Goalie Delta, BC – Delta Bantam Prep
4. Michael Gildon – Left Wing – Plano, TX – Dallas Stars Elite 16U
6. Cole Brooks – Defence – Estevan, SK – Estevan Bantam AA
7. Brandon MacKenzie-Kochen – Defence – Oakville, MB – Central Plains Bantam AAA
8. Kyle Crosbie – Forward Didsbury, AB – Airdrie Bantam AAA
9. Killian Kiecker-Olson – Forward – Andover, MIN – Colorado Thunderbirds U14
10. Jayden Lee – Defence – North Vancouver – North Shore Winter Club
10. Dylan Esau – Forward – Meadow Lake Stampeders
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