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Lloydminster native Ty Smith goes 1st overall to Spokane Chiefs: WHL bantam draft recap

Kelly Friesen
The Chiefs chose Alberta defenceman Ty Smith first overall in the 2015 WHL bantam draft. (Delta Hockey Academy)
The Chiefs chose Alberta defenceman Ty Smith first overall in the 2015 WHL bantam draft. (Delta Hockey Academy)

Courtesy of the Saskatoon Blades, the Spokane Chiefs kicked off the 2015 WHL bantam draft by selecting Lloydminster, Alta., native Ty Smith with the first overall pick. The Chiefs landed the lottery pick in a 2013 trade deadline deal that sent Collin Valcourt to the City of Bridges.

Smith, who notched nine goals and 28 points in 16 games with the Delta Hockey Academy Bantam prep team this past season, headed into the draft regarded as the top prospect. He has been hyped as one of the top young blueliners to come out of Western Canada since Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.

“Ty has a unique combination of elite vision and can control the pace of the game which is extremely rare for a bantam aged defenseman,” says Tyler Neisz, owner of Western Elite Hockey Prospects. “He has excellent skating ability with the best agility of any player in the draft. Ty is a true power-play quarterback.”

Based on his comments in past interviews, it seems the Chiefs won’t have any trouble signing Smith. He appears to have his heart set on playing in the WHL.

“I would be honored to play with the Chiefs in Spokane but would just be thankful to be chosen by any team in the Western Hockey League and will try to make the best experience out of where ever I end up,” Smith told WEHP in a pre-draft interview. “The draft is still a month away and I'm focusing on the Alberta Cup and working each day at trying to be better.”

The top five selections were rounded out by Brandon, Man., defenceman Calen Addison (Lethbridge Hurricanes), Surrey B.C., centre Tyler Popowich (Vancouver Giants), Winnipeg, Man., defender Jett Woo (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Estevan, Sk., sniper Cole Fonstad (Prince Albert Raiders) in that respective order.

“I liked all of the top five picks,” says a WHL executive after the draft. “Addison has a ton of skill, the Giants wanted size and got it in Popowich, Woo is an incredible defenceman and Fonstad was the best player out of Saskatchewan. These are some quality hockey prospects.”

Other news and notes

- The biggest player drafted in the first round was Popowich, a 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, whom the Giants chose third overall. It wasn’t much of a surprise to see Vancouver go with size as that’s exactly what GM Scott Bonner said he would do prior to the draft.

- The Seattle Thunderbirds chose the smallest player in the first round, Edmonton, Alta., native Elijah Brown, a 5-foot-7, 145-pound centre, 15th overall.

- The first goalie taken was Calgary, Alta., native Carl Stankowski, whom the Thunderbirds chose 37th overall.

- The first player selected out of the prestigious Notre Dame Collegiate program was Carson Focht, whom the Tri-City Americans picked seventh overall. Six players in total were plucked out of Wilcox, Sk.

- Six Yorkton bantam AA Terriers were selected in the draft. The first player off the board was Carson Miller, whom the Raiders drafted 21st overall. The Taphorn twins were separated as the Kootenay Ice picked Keenan 34th overall and the Giants selected Kaeden 47th overall.

- The Kelowna Rockets officially have both of Adam Foote’s sons in their cupboard. They drafted Nolan Foote, a winger, 43rd overall following picking his older brother Callan Foote in the 2012 draft.

- Besides Foote, there were many other notable hockey bloodlines in the draft. Brayden McNabb’s brother Dean (Victoria Royals, 61st overall), Brian Savage’s son Ryan (Everett Silvertips, 68th overall), Stu Barnes’ son Jack (Americans, 104th overall), Mike Sillinger’s son Lukas (Regina Pats, 126th overall), Joe Sakic’s son Chase (Thunderbirds, 169th overall) and Mark Lamb’s son Hunter (Calgary Hitmen, 196th overall) are the most notable names to point out.

- The Americans made a low-risk, high-reward move by selecting Minnesota product Jaxson Nelson 137th overall. He’s regarded as the top U.S. talent in the draft, but is already committed to the University of Minnesota.

- Connor Gay’s stint with the Rebels came to an end at the draft. GM-head coach Brent Sutter traded him to the Blades for a third-round pick after acquiring him in a 2015 trade deadline deal that sent prized prospect Jake Leschyshyn to the Pats.

Kelly Friesen is a Buzzing the Net columnist for Yahoo! Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KellyFriesen