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Kelowna Rockets add 6-foot-5 defenceman Mitchell Wheaton
It is literally a big day for the Kelowna Rockets. They convinced 6-foot-5, 218-pound blueliner Mitchell Wheaton to join their organization rather than accepting a scholarship from one of the several U.S. universities that have shown interest in him.
Warren Henderson of B.C. Local News caught up with Wheaton and Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton today. Here is his insight.
"I had some interest from a few schools but my family and I discussed it and we thought the best thing for me was going to play in Kelowna," said Wheaton. "It was the organization they have and the history they have of past young defencemen. They have amazing coaches and I just think that's my best chance of playing professional hockey one day."
Wheaton attended Kelowna's main training earlier this month, then returned to the Spruce Grove (Alta.) Saints AJHL before making a final decision.
"We're thrilled that he has chosen Kelowna as the place he wants to play," said Rockets president and GM Bruce Hamilton. "He was excellent in training camp and we're looking forward to having him join us."
Don't be fooled by how late Wheaton was selected in the 2010 bantam draft, he is a very highly-regarded prospect. The 10th-round bantam pick impressed as a stay-at-home defender with Spruce Grove last year, posting seven goals and 14 points in 45 games, while racking up 62 minutes in the sin bin.
Kelowna fans are hoping lightning strikes twice, in terms of towering defencemen, within six years on their back end. They were lucky enough to watch 6-foot-9, 222-pound Tyler Myers, who now suits up for the Buffalo Sabres, blossom into star from 2006 to 2009.
The Rocket faithful may have to be patient with the 17-year-old's development, though. Lanky blueliners tend to take a while to fulfill their potential.
Myers posted a -37 average throughout his first two seasons in Kelowna before maintaining a plus-31 in his third season. Meanwhile, his former teammate Luke Schenn posted a -5 average during Myer's rookie and sophomore seasons. Schenn went on to be selected fifth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008 draft. Myers was chosen seven spots later at the No. 12 pick. Five years later, it is safe to say the majority of NHL general managers would pick Myers ahead of Schenn, who was recently traded from the Leafs to the Philadelphia Flyers in the offseason.
Wheaton is a part of the 2013 draft class. Since size can't be taught, the Sherwood Park, Alta., native will undoubtedly have a large following of scouts buzzing around him on a regular basis.
Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen
