Before they can harbour dreams of the NHL draft, they usually first become bantam draft picks into the Western Hockey League.
One of the prime chances to see these bantam prospects is the annual Rick Lapointe Memorial Bantam Triple-A Showcase, the 43rd edition of which runs today through Sunday at the Ian Stewart Complex, Pearkes Arena and Naden Arena.
鈥淚n a sense, all the major bantam tournaments 鈥� from the Alberta Cup to SaskFirst 鈥� are in our backyard because we have scouts everywhere,鈥� said Cam Hope, GM of the WHL Victoria Royals.
鈥淏ut this is truly in our backyard, so with the added advantage that our team management can also personally scout it.鈥�
Teams featured in the 2015 Rick Lapointe tournament, named in honour of the late NHL defenceman, include the host and defending-champion Racquet Club Kings, Juan de Fuca, Nanaimo Clippers, Hollyburn, Kelowna Rockets, Kamloops Blazers, Prince George Cougars, Semiahmoo Ravens, Abbotsford Hawks, Chilliwack Bruins, Burnaby Winter Club and the South Anchorage Moose from Alaska.
The teams are divided among the Pettinger, Courtnall and O鈥橞yrne divisions named after Racquet Club players who went on to the NHL. Action runs today at all three rinks from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through to the final Sunday at 1 p.m. at Ian Stewart, which is the primary venue.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to see these prospects throughout the season, but this tournament provides an important early look,鈥� said Hope.
It remains, however, an inexact science. Those famously overlooked in the WHL bantam draft include defending NHL scoring champion Jamie Benn of Victoria and Joffrey Lupul, Shea Weber, Jarome Iginla, Shane Doan, Tyler Ennis and Dan Hamhuis.
Rob Milliken is new head coach of the host Racquet Club bantam squad, which won its own tournament last season for the first time in 14 years en route to placing second in the sa国际传媒 championship.
鈥淲e鈥檙e into a rebuilding phase,鈥� said Milliken, well-known on the Island as a coach from the BCHL to major-midget.
鈥淟ast season was a big year for this team, but with a lot of players who graduated. So this is a development year,鈥� added Milliken.
The top Island bantam teams this season look to be Juan de Fuca and Nanaimo, the latter of which won the elite South Delta tournament.
