Valley Wildcats pick up 10 new players at 2021 MHL entry draft

The Valley Wildcats made 10 selections at the 2021 Maritime Hockey League entry draft. The U21 league held the event virtually on July 10, drafting 120 young players.

The Wildcats started the day by trading down to acquire an extra pick. The Wildcats sent the second overall draft pick, plus a fifth-round selection to the Campbellton Tigers in exchange for the 11th overall pick, a thirdround pick, and a sixth-round selection.

Valley used that first-round draft pick on defenceman Brady Wambolt, of the Dartmouth U18 Steele Subaru.

The Wildcats’ general manager Brandon Benedict says the trade allowed the Berwickbased club to add a selection in what would have been a very large gap.

“Originally, we were going from pick No. 2 to pick No.

62, so obviously with 60 picks

Members of the Valley Wildcats staff in the war room, just before the opening pick of the 2021 MHL draft, included, from left: U18 Wildcats head coach Mike Lyle, U18 assistant coach Lukas Kane, Wildcats owner and president Graham Baxter, Wildcats general manager Brandon Benedict, Wildcats director of player development Travis Young, and U21 Wildcats assistant coach Nick Croft. in between we were trying to get a couple of picks in that range.”

Benedict says he was very happy to still be able to pick Wambolt after trading down, as he and his scouting staff were very high on the young defenceman.

“We know with Brady that he has potential to play at the major junior level, but at the same time, we really liked him. We really liked his mobility, and being a right shot is a nice addition for us as well,

and we know that he's a great character kid.”

The Wildcats’ next two picks came from the Kohltech U18 Wildcats.

Valley selected forward Nolan Fowler with their first of two territorial picks and picked forward Jacob Gerhardt in the third round, 37th overall. The Wildcats’ second territorial pick was used on Cam Henderson. Henderson is a former U15 Wildcat and played last season with the U17 Mount Academy Saints.

In round six, Valley made their third selection from the U18 Wildcats as they picked goalie Sam Sinclair at 86th overall.

Several MHL clubs used only one, or no territorial picks at all in the draft. Benedict says he's very fortunate the Wildcats were able to pick up so many players from the Annapolis Valley. “We know that they're very good hockey players, and we feel very fortunate to get all four of them. We think all four of them bring something different to the table as well.”

At 62nd overall, Valley made their second selection from Steele Subaru, picking up Luke Foster. Also in round six, Valley picked Jack O’Blenis, a forward from the AAA Moncton Flyers.

The draft concluded with the Wildcats picking defenceman Tyson LeFrense from the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush in round seven, as well as

Ben Wallace from the Pictou County Weeks U18 Majors and Ian Wall from the U17 Mount Academy Saints in the eighth round.

In all, the Wildcats added one goaltender, three defencemen, and six forwards.

Players selected in the draft will have the opportunity to come to training camp with the U21 Wildcats, and try to earn a spot on the roster. Likely most will return to their U18 clubs as they continue to grow and develop their skills.

Thirteen players from last season's U21 Valley Wildcats roster were previous Wildcats draft picks.