SJHL teams, including the Bombers, will pick their next crop of prospects later this week.
The league will host its first draft in two years June 10, consisting of two stages - one six-round stage picking players born in 2006 and two further rounds afterward for 2007-born players.
Draft day starts at 10 a.m. Saskatchewan time, 11 a.m. Manitoba time and results will be shared on the SJHL’s official website and social media pages.
As of press time, the Bombers pick eighth overall in the first round - picks are made in reverse of the league regular standings, meaning first place Estevan will pick last in the first round and Weyburn, which ended the SJHL season dead last, will pick first overall.
Eligible players include those whose home is in Saskatchewan who finished either their final year of U15 or first year of U18 hockey. Some players are protected by teams through territory, but other players outside of SJHL communities or who aren’t protected are fair game.
Since the SJHL started holding an annual draft in 2015, 13 players selected by the Bombers have played at least a game for the team, including former captain Matt Flodell, defender Jaxon White and future WHL players like Hendrik De Klerk and Parker Hendren.
The Bombers had three former bantam draft picks on the ice during the SJHL finals - forward Kylynn Olafson was picked in the first round, sixth overall, by the Bombers in 2019, while defenceman Cole Tanchuk went 19th overall in the second round of the same draft. Defender Noah Kuntz, who played parts of the season for Flin Flon before receiving a call-up in the playoffs, is a third-round pick of the Bombers from the 2017 draft. All three players saw ice time during the Bombers’ run at the Centennial Cup.
Two other players - forwards Mackenzie Carson and goalie Max Hildebrand - also played for the Bombers before leaving the team midseason, with Hildebrand, the Bombers’ fourth-rounder in 2019, going to the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders and Carson - the Bombers’ fifth-round choice in 2017 - playing junior B for his hometown Carrot River Outback Thunder.
