April 29th 2008

The 2008 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft is set for Thursday in Calgary.

This will be the third Bantam Draft for the Bruins. Eight players selected by Chilliwack in their two previous drafts have seen game action with the Bruins. From the 2006 bantam draft, Ryan Howse (3rd), Scott Ramsay (64th) and Ryan Hankin (73rd), have all skated for the Bruins. The list from the 2007 draft includes Kevin Sundher (7th), Carter Berg (26th), Tyler Stahl (70th), Chris Collins (77th), and Blair Wentworth (148th).

As part of our draft preview we took the opportunity to talk to Chilliwack Bruins Director of Scouting Garry Pochipinski.

Q: How many Western Hockey League Bantam Drafts have you been involved in?

This will be my first as Bruins coordinator, third with the Bruins and my ninth overall.

Q: Take us through the evaluation process. How are the scouting reports filed and monitored?

Each member of our scouting staff has access to a computer software program called Rinknet. Throughout the season they file reports on players they’ve watched and myself and General Manager Darrell May continually monitor these reports throughout the year.

Q: How many reports are filed by your staff each season?

We have around 1000 scouting reports on players eligible for this year’s draft. There are multiple reports on some players. The total amount of players that we have reports on numbers around 500. Keep in mind that we are also filing reports on older players each season as well. I myself have done about 2000 total scouting reports this season.

Q Do you and your staff talk to the players you are scouting?

We do. It’s a very important part of the process. We talk to the players and their parents as often as we can.

Q: How often do you feel a player needs to be evaluated during the season to get a proper read on his ability?

It’s very important to see players early, late and a few times in between. Keep in mind the players we are watching are 15 years old so a lot can change during the season. Some players will have a growth spurt and be four to five inches taller than they were at the start of the season. It’s also very important to see improvement in a player as the season goes on. We see every player as often as we can.

Q: Going in to this draft, are you looking at taking the best possible player with each pick or are you looking at specific needs of the team?

It’s a combination of both and it really depends on how the draft unfolds. Certainly we are going in with an idea of where we need to improve our team depth at each position. With our first selection which is 8th overall we certainly have a specific position in mind but again we’ll have to wait to see how the first seven picks unfold before we can make the proper decision but it will be based on a combination of team needs and who we feel is the best player available.

Q: When evaluating a player is there one specific skill you are looking for that ranks as most important?

We look for the obvious skills, skating, size, ability to read the game etc but character is the most important. It’s been a top priority for us since we started this process three years ago to identify players with character and leadership abilities.

Q: Do you anticipate any jockeying of position during the draft?

You never know. Darrell May is excellent is this department. If we see a player still on the board that we like but we don’t have a pick for awhile, then maybe that’s something we look at.

Q: How many players do you expect to select in Thursday’s draft?

Each WHL team can protect 50 players on their protected list so as you select players you have to have room on that list for them. We’re likely going to pick ten players.

Q: Last question, how have you enjoyed your first year as the Bruins Director of Scouting?

It’s been a lot of fun, I’ve enjoyed it immensely. It’s hard work and there is a lot of travel involved. Fortunately I have a very understanding wife.

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The 19th Annual WHL Bantam Draft will be posted live on www.whl.ca.  Click on the WHL Bantam Draft icon on the www.whl.ca homepage to get the results live in real-time. Information on players selected by the Bruins will be posted here throughout the day.

The Bruins own the following picks in Thursday's draft:

8th

29th

51st

73rd

95th

117th

135th

139th

161st

173rd

183rd

205th