It was an historic night for Manitoba hockey at the NHL Draft in Montreal.
A few homegrown talents Strathclairs Conor Geekie, Dominion Citys Denton Mateychuk and St. Adolphes Owen Pickering listened to their names called through the provinces most effective very first spherical in pretty much 50 several years.
Geekie, an 18-calendar year-previous centre from the WHLs Winnipeg Ice, went 11th over-all to the Arizona Coyotes.
Mateychuk, a 17-yr-outdated defenceman from the Moose Jaw Warriors, went 12th to the Columbus Blue Jackets and his 2nd cousin, Pickering, an 18-calendar year-old blue-liner with the Swift Present Broncos, was picked 21st by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Having chosen by the Coyotes sounded just wonderful to Geekie, whose older brother Morgan was the 67th in general decide on by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017.
Morgan currently fits up for the Seattle Kraken.
I believe they they play a tiny bit of my fashion of game, suitable? Geekie instructed reporters in Montreal. I know they bought a good deal of means when it arrives to functioning out and skating.
(Arizonas 2021 first-rounder) Dylan Guenther, naturally, I know is there and obtaining (former Coyotes captain) Shane Doan in your organization its really surreal. Again, its just interesting (to) kick things off and see where it all comes about.
Minutes earlier, Winnipeg Ice centre Matt Savoie, who hails from St. Albert, Alta., was the 2nd WHL participant picked when he was decided on ninth overall by the Buffalo Sabres.
Savoie and Geekie have designed a near bond considering the fact that currently being picked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the 2019 WHL Prospective buyers Draft.
Its almost like your brother, ideal? claimed Geekie. A proud brother instant. Our hug was Id say really emotional when it came down to it. Looking at him go, (I was) tremendous happy of him and tremendous pleased with how everythings turned out for us so much. With any luck ,, the long term retains a little something quite unique.
Pickering had the privilege of listening to his title declared by Penguins star defenceman Kris Letang. Previously in the working day, Letang signed a 6-12 months, US$36.6 million contract extension with the club.
When he was announcing the decide on I listened to my title and kind of just blacked out, Pickering instructed Sportsnet. So (it was a) super particular instant.
Geekie, Mateychuk and Pickering have also performed collectively as users of provincial age-group baseball groups.
Its a large day for Hockey Manitoba, mentioned Pickering. So, tremendous very pleased. It was great to observe people fellas have their moments.
Geekie, who scored 24 plans and 70 details in 63 games through his initially entire season in the WHL, was reasonable about producing an rapid leap to pro hockey.
Obviously, I want to attempt and crack the team (roster) when Im 18, claimed Geekie. I assume with how fantastic our Winnipeg workforce is heading to be, I think possibly Ill continue to be one additional calendar year and kind of mature, get a very little little bit a lot quicker and have a small much more tempo to my match.
Geekie was questioned about his vital improvements throughout the 2021-22 time.
I assume I started out type of halfway via the period participating in a lot far more (of a) bodily match, trusting that I can seriously beat fellas wide and actually be equipped to form of do my matter when it comes to employing my overall body, he mentioned. All I can do is get more robust from here… speedier.
The trio of 1st-rounders was tied for the provinces next-best output in the draft heading back again to 1974 when forward Cam Connor went fifth to Montreal, forward Ron Chipperfield went 17th to California and Don Larway went 18th to the Boston Bruins.
Manitobas major output arrived in 1968 and 1970 with four to start with-rounders picked out in each calendar year.
In 68, defenceman Jim Pritchard went third to Montreal, correct-winger Jim Benzelock went fifth to the Minnesota North Stars, still left-winger John Marks went ninth to Chicago and suitable-winger Steve Andrascik went 11th to the Detroit Red Wings.
In 1970, ideal-winger Reggie Leach went third to Boston, goaltender Ray Martynuik went fifth to Montreal, left-winger Chuck Lefley went sixth to Montreal, and Chris Oddleifson went 10th to the California Golden Seals.
The draft continues Friday with rounds two by way of seven.
Twitter: @sawa14