BRIDGEWATER – The Bridgewater CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks made ten trades in an action-packed day at the Maritime Hockey League Entry Draft in Summerside on June 14.
After the smoke cleared, the team had five selections in the first three rounds, including the second overall pick.
“We got who we wanted,” said general manager Ken Petrie.
“There were two we were looking at for the first pick. We chose one and the other wasn’t taken after the first round, so we got him with our first pick in the second round. It worked well.”
With the second overall pick, the Lumberjacks chose Halifax McDonalds forward Dillon Boucher, who posted 16 goals and 22 assists in 34 regular season games last season.
Mr. Boucher’s team competed in the Telus Cup National Midget Championship and he was a 7th-round pick of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft.
In the second round, the Lumberjacks drafted blueliner Daniel Little, also of the Halifax McDonald’s, with the 14th overall pick and Christopher Goreham of the South Shore Mustangs at No. 17 overall.
“Dylan Boucher is a high-scoring forward and David Little is a good puck-moving, offensive-minded defenceman, and good on power plays. I can see both of them fitting into our lineup this year,” said Mr. Petrie, adding Mr. Goreham only played five games in one year of midget eligibility and may need some time to grow and gain experience.
“We drafted for the future…but [Goreham] will play Junior ‘A’ hockey and he will be a great help to us.”
Connor Peveril, Morgan Barron and Halifax Mooseheads draft pick Morgan Nauss were all taken in the third round.
“Morgan Nauss, if he doesn’t make the Q, would be a bonus for us, no ifs, ands or buts about it,” said the general manager.
“The others, in most cases, are a year down the road. Some of our draft picks from last year are now ready to play this year.”
In one of their ten trades of the day, Kevin Poirier, along with future considerations, was traded to Pictou for Mikhail Parker and future considerations.
“Mikhail Parker will no doubt play for us this year,” said Mr. Petrie.
Bridgewater also traded Connor Hilton, a 5th-round pick in the 2014 draft and a 6th-round pick in 2015 to Campbellton for a 4th-round pick in the 2014 draft, a 10th-round pick next year and and future considerations.
Earlier in the week, the Lumberjacks selected Bridgewater’s Keith Getson and Hebbville’s Mitchell Baker as their territorial picks.
Both players spent last season with the South Shore Mustangs, and Mr. Getson was drafted by the
Charlottetown Islanders in the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft.
“The Lumberjacks are extremely pleased to be able to add quality players like Keith and Mitchell to our ranks. Both players are coming off exceptional seasons with the Mustangs and we are excited to add these two players from the local community. We look forward to seeing both players in a Lumberjack uniform as we move forward,” said Lumberjacks’ head scout Kevin Mitchell.
The team is more confident heading into next season after the success they had at the draft, Mr. Petrie said.
“We’re always looking a year ahead. It’s taken us awhile and we paid the price last year, but we’re really solid.”
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