Gull Lake’s Justin Spagrud was the first Southwest product selected in the Western Hockey League’s Bantam Draft on Thursday.
Spagrud, a 6’0, 145 lbs forward, was chosen by the Tri-City Americans in the third round, 63rd overall.
The left-winger scored 35 goals and added 27 assists in 26 regular season games for the Swift Current AA Bantam Kabos Raiders this season to finish tied for fifth in South Sask AA Bantam Hockey League scoring.
"My parents just called me at school to tell me. I am really happy that they selected me and I am pretty excited," said Spagrud, who lists Alexander Ovechkin as one of his favorite players.
"The people that helped me get here are my parents and family, all the coaches that helped me get through this, and everybody that supported me," said Spagrud, who agreed that is was a relief to have the draft over with.
Swift Current’s Zac Mackay was the second local to be selected when the hometown Swift Current Broncos picked him 71st in the fourth round.
The Raiders captain scored 27 goals and added 34 assists in 26 games this season to finish seventh in South Sask League scoring.
He was thrilled to see three of his teammates drafted in the first four rounds.
"It is really good for Josh, Spencer, and Justin. Thanks to Kent (Raiders head coach Kent Woods), he got us this far and really pushed us to become what we could be and it showed today."
Shaunavon’s Spencer Wand followed shortly after when he was selected 75th by the Kootenay Ice. Wand is a 5’11 defenseman who compiled five goals, seven assists, and 69 penalty minutes in 22 regular season games for the Raiders.
Wand got the word from his mom while he was at school. "It is good, I am happy I went there. They called me before the draft and said they might take me. They are a good team but I would have been happy wherever I went so it is good."
"I just have to be tough, good in the corners, make smart plays, and jump in the play when I can. I just have to do my best and don't do anything stupid out there," replied Wand when asked what makes him an effective player.
Wand, who says he looks up to current Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf, was excited that three of his Raiders teammates were also drafted.
"Before every practice we had dryland (training) and we just worked our butts off. Our coach helped us to get to this spot and a lot of the credit goes to him. We worked very hard and got better as the season went on."
Swift Current’s Josh Wik joined Spagrud in Tri-City when the Americans selected him 85th in the fourth round.
Wik, a hulking 6’3, 184 lb blueliner, registered seven assists and 57 penalty minutes in 26 regular season games in the South Sask League.
Wik found out his draft fate from friends at school on Thursday morning.
“I didn’t quite know when my friends came running into the class and told me. It was pretty exciting.”
He is excited to join his teammate Justin Spagrud with the Americans.
“It will be good. I might drive up there and stay with him. It will be good to know somebody there because it is a long way from home.”
He pointed out his coaches as a big part of his development this season.
"Definitely my summer training was a big part of it. I had some pretty good coaches this year in Kent Woods and Larry Empey that really developed me this year and kept me going.”
He understands that he needs to play with a physical edge to be successful on the ice.
"That is a pretty big part of my game, not much offense. I just try keep their puck out of our net and play a strong stay at home defenseman kind of game."
He said he looks up to a Stewart Valley native and current Montreal Canadien.
"I look up to Travis Moen just because he is a local guy and he is doing really well in the playoffs right now and showing his stuff. It will be good to see him in the second round after getting past Washington."
