Three Turning Point clients, Josh Anderson, Parker Aucoin and Kody McDonald were selected in the top 24 picks during the Western Hockey League Bantam Draft which was held in Calgary last Thursday, May 2nd. With all of the General Managers and Directors of Scouting along with their staffs in attendance, the 22 WHL franchises proceeded to participate in their annual right of renewal to start the cycle once again of stocking their teams with players that they believe will be the foundation for their future success. While there was no dispute as to who would be selected first overall (Tyler Benson from Edmonton SSAC), the intrigue and drama from the previous two weekends at Alberta Cup and B.C. Cup as to which players would go in the top 5 continued to play out the night before the Draft and Draft Day morning. “Given the high caliber of clients we had in the 1998 birth year, this was the most intense, challenging and outright fun WHL Draft in which I have been involved,” said Turning Point Executive Director Carlos Sosa. “I believe a key to understanding the process with where our Draft Class this year was going to be selected was being at the final two major events, B.C. Cup and Alberta Cup, which afforded the opportunity to speak with the ‘deciders’ of every team in order to best advise our clients. It was worthwhile to be at both events on back to back weekends, and it turned out to be a lot of fun as well.”

Josh Anderson, the big, mobile and hard hitting Defenseman from Duncan, British Columbia, who had finished his season with the Cowichan Valley Capitals was selected 3rd overall, by the Prince George Cougars. Anderson was the first British Columbia player selected after two Albertans were picked, and also the first defenseman chosen in the Draft. By going third overall Anderson holds the distinction of being the highest Turning Point client ever drafted in either the WHL Bantam Draft or the OHL Midget Priority Selection to date.  Following Anderson in the First Round was Calgary sniper Parker Aucoin, who was selected 15th overall by the Tri City Americans. Aucoin, who led the Alberta Major Bantam League in goals with 63 this past season, with the only player to score more in AMBHL history was Ty Rattie a few years ago, was clearly the purest and most natural goal scorer in the Draft.  The Cougars went back to the Turning Point client list with the second pick in the 2nd Round at 24th overall snapping up Lethbridge native, power forward Kody McDonald who had played at the Pursuit of Excellence T1 Bantam program this past season. “McDonald is the type of player that can play the game any way you want,” said Sosa, “and with his size and strength along with his skill set, will crack the Cougars lineup as a 16 year old player in my view.”

All three players should be extremely proud of their high selections, and Turning Point is looking forward to working with them as they enter this new chapter of their hockey careers. Parents Kristine and Chris Anderson, Lynell and Don Aucoin, and Marla and Terry McDonald should be congratulated on the great job they have done with their sons and the great effort that the young men have put forward this past season in achieving this important first step for their hockey future.

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