Rockets trade up for D-man

Photo: Facebook

Bruce Hamilton did some wheeling and dealing to get the player the Kelowna Rockets wanted in the first round of Thursday's WHL bantam draft.

The Rockets president/GM sent the Rockets first round pick (20th) and one of four third-round selections to Red Deer in order to move up nine spots, to grab Yorkton Maulers defenceman Kaedan Korczak.

Korczak was a first-year midget last season, despite being only second-year bantam age.

Rockets assistant GM Lorne Frey said the team made the trade to pick higher when Kaedan was still available.

"We've had a philosophy for years that the back-end is very important," said Frey.

"You don't win without some defencemen that can defend and also provide some offence. Kaedan is a big, solid, all around two-way player. He's a good skater, he's mobile and can play in every situation. He has a chance to be a stable defenceman for years for us."

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defenceman had two goals and 15 assists in 42 games at the midget level last season. He added an assist in five playoff games.

Korczak will attend the Rockets training camp this year before completing his second year of midget.

He said being drafted by the Rockets is a dream come true.

"I was in shock (when they drafted me). It was a very exciting moment," he said.

"I'm really excited to be drafted by Kelowna. They develop good players, it's a nice city with a nice rink and a great organization."

Frey said Korczak has good skills and can play in all situations, including power play and penalty kill. The Yorkton defender said he likes to join the rush but can also be responsible defensively.

"I'm a two-way player," he said. "I know when to jump in the rush and create an offensive attack and also know how to stay in my own end and play defense."

Korczak was one of 11 players selected in the bantam draft, six forwards, four defencemen and a goaltender. Others selected include:

• 3rd round: Deegan Mofford - Centre
• 3rd round: Dallon Wilton - Forward
• 3rd round: Roman Basran - Goaltender (No relation to Kelowna's mayor)
• 4th round: Michael Gildon - Left wing
• 6th round: Cole Brooks - Defenceman
• 7th round: Brandon MacKenzie-Kochen - Defenceman
• 8th round: Kyle Crosbie - Forward
• 9th round: Killian Kiecker-Olson - Forward
• 10th round: Jayden Lee - Defenceman
• 10th round: Dylon Esau - Forward

The Kootenay Ice selected Okotoks, Alta., forward Peyton Krebs with the first overall pick.

Because of age restrictions, players selected in Thursday's raft will not be eligible to play full-time in the WHL until the 2017-2018 season.