Here are the selections the Rebels made in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft.
1/18 – Hamilton, Beckett – C – 5.08 – 150 – 03/28/08 – Humboldt Broncos U15 AA – Saskatoon, SK
The Red Deer Rebels have chosen Beckett Hamilton as their 18th overall pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Hamilton, a 15-year-old forward from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, excelled offensively in the Saskatchewan AA Hockey League, amassing 83 points in 29 regular season games and an additional 33 points in nine playoff games. He comes from a hockey family, with his father having played in the WHL and his great uncle serving as the owner and GM of the Kelowna Rockets. Hamilton is known for his high-end offensive skills, including his shooting and playmaking abilities, as well as his grit and intensity on the ice. The Rebels’ Associate GM expressed confidence in Hamilton’s clutch performance and exceptional playoff record. This selection adds a talented and dynamic player to the Red Deer Rebels’ roster.
2/40 – Missura, Jake – D – 5.09.25 154 – 06/07/08 – Saskatoon Bandits U15 AA – Saskatoon, SK
JakeMissura, a talented defenseman hailing from Saskatoon, was chosen as the 40th overall pick by the Rebels. The Associate General Manager of the Rebels, commended Missura’s impressive skill set, highlighting his potential as the draft’s top open-ice hitter and one of the most physical defensemen available. Sutter’s comments were made in a media release, emphasizing the significance of Missura’s defensive presence. Despite his relatively smaller stature, standing at 5’8″ and weighing 150 pounds, the young Saskatoon native has exhibited exceptional resilience throughout his career, refusing to let his size hinder his performance. Sutter noted Missura’s ability to deliver impactful hits and described him as a challenging opponent to face on the ice. In the previous season, Missura demonstrated his offensive capabilities by accumulating 25 points, while also showcasing his physicality with 100 penalty minutes in just 26 games as a member of the Saskatoon Bandits U15 AA team.
4/75 – Kovich, Nickolas – LW – 6.01 – 165 – 04/29/08 – Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep Green – Richmond, BC
Kids got cool flo! The Rebels did not have a third-round pick but in the fourth selected a left winger out of Richmond, B.C., Nickolas Kovich. With Delta Hockey Academy U15 Prep, the right-handed forward accumulated 36 points in 21 games. “He’s a long guy who can skate, shoot, and bring some power to his game with the way he attacks the net,” said one coach. He is 6’1 now I mean he could be a 6’4 beast come 2024-25. And he got over a point a game in bantam of what ever they call it now. Video. I am again looking really forward to seeing this guy wear the cow skull in a couple years.Nickolas Kovich hat trick video.
PeytonShore, a member of the Rink H.A. Winnipeg U15 Prep team, showcased impressive stats during the regular season, maintaining a 4.20 goals against average (GAA) and a save percentage of .879 over the course of 15 games.“Peyton stood out to our scouting team, especially goaltending coach Ian Gordon. Among the goalies we interviewed, Shore ranked quite high in Ian’s assessment. Securing him in the fifth round brings us great satisfaction.”Shore’s minor hockey endeavors unfolded entirely in Vancouver until his family made the decision to relocate back to Winnipeg. The move was prompted by his mother’s appointment as the head coach of the Bisons’ women’s basketball team, a position of great prestige owing to her exceptional achievements as a player. The teams she was part of have been duly recognized as honored members of both the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.Speaking of his personal journey, Shore reminisced, “When he was eight months old, he moved to Vancouver, and then, in 2020, they moved back to Winnipeg.” He continued, “He played with the Rangers during his U13 year, but unfortunately, the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, he joined the Wild Gold for the U15 category, and now, he finds himself at the RINK. Interestingly, he had a prior association with the RINK as well. Last year, he attended Laidlaw School and participated in R-1 at the RINK.”
5/106 – Kramer, Millar – D – 6.00.75 170 – 02/15/08 – Battlefords North West Stars U15 AA – Battleford, SK
First name Millar, that’s a first time🤔Right-handed D-man Millar Kramer scored 21 points in 28 games with the Battlefords North West Stars U15 AA. Sutter explained Kramer is a great skater.“ He’s kind of raw but he brings some physicality and some hardness to his game. He’s going to play for Battlefords U18 so we think he’s going to get a lot of good minutes.”Here is an article of Millar Kramer being named to Sask First Top 80 Tournament. Kramer was also taken in the eighth round of the SJHL draft to the Battleford North Stars.
7/150 – Milford, Noah – C – 5.10 – 148 – 03/07/08 – Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA – Okotoks, AB
In a stroke of luck, the team managed to secure their first pick in the seventh round, picking up the talented forward Noah Milford. Hailing from the Okotoks Oilers U15 AAA, Milford’s selection at the 150th overall spot was met with excitement. Demonstrating his prowess in the 2022-23 season, the right-handed centreman proved his worth by accumulating an impressive 45 points in 32 games. Additionally, his contribution extended to the playoffs, where he notched 12 points in nine games.One observer commented, “Noah truly stands out among the skaters in the Alberta U15 league. Besides his exceptional scoring ability, he took on the role of team captain, showcasing his leadership qualities. Furthermore, his skills on the penalty kill are truly remarkable.” Milford’s well-rounded abilities make him a valuable addition to the team.Video.
Since its so good the Rebels decided to tap into the talent pool of the Okotoks Oilers once again in the eighth round. This time, their focus shifted to forward Kade Pierson, hailing from Chestermere, Alta. Pierson, a left-handed winger, showcased his abilities throughout the season, averaging an impressive point per game with a total of 33 points in 33 regular season matches. His impact continued in the playoffs, where he contributed 10 points in nine games.An observer expressed their admiration, stating, “Pierson is an imposing figure on the ice, possessing both size and strength. His physical presence sets him apart, making him one of the standout prospects in the draft. When he’s on the ice, it’s hard to miss him as he fearlessly engages in physical play and delivers bone-crushing hits.” Pierson’s combination of toughness and skill make him an exciting prospect that promises to leave a lasting impression on the ice.
9/194 – Yellowaga, Nate – D – 5.10 – 151 – 03/09/08 – Edge School U15 Prep – Calgary, AB
During the ninth round, the Rebels made another acquisition in the form of defenceman Nate Yellowaga from Edge School U15 Prep in Calgary, securing him at the 194th overall spot. Yellowaga, a native of Calgary, showcased his skills by tallying an impressive 29 points in 29 games throughout the previous season.One commentator couldn’t help but acknowledge Yellowaga’s exceptional talent, saying, “There’s no doubt that Yellowaga possesses first-round caliber skills. However, he made it clear to all the teams that he has committed to playing in Brooks in the AJHL. Considering our draft position, we made a collective decision that if he were to play in the WHL, it would be for the Red Deer Rebels.” The team’s strategic choice reflects their strong interest in Yellowaga’s abilities, even though circumstances led him to a different path in his hockey journey.
The Brooks Bandits are pleased to announce 2008-born defenceman, Nate Yellowaga has committed to the team. Yellowaga was a point per game player with the U15 Prep Team at the Edge School, finishing 14th in defenceman scoring in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) with 29 points (4G, 25A) in 29 games. The Calgary, AB product also played five games with the U18 Prep team during this past season. “Brooks was a logical choice for me for many reasons. The Bandits organization values the same things that I do as a player. The positive team culture along with the character and mindset of the players is very unique,” said Yellowaga.
10/216 Schmidt, Nolan – C – 5.11 – 165 – 03/08/08 – OHA Edmonton U15 Prep – Edmonton, AB
During the 10th round of selections, the team made a notable choice by picking forward Nolan Schmidt from OHA Edmonton U15 Prep with the 216th overall pick. Schmidt’s performance in the 2022-23 season showcased promise, despite being hindered by injuries. In the 15 games he participated in, he managed to contribute 11 points to his team’s efforts. Reflecting on Schmidt’s journey, an observer noted, “Nolan faced setbacks due to injuries for a significant portion of the season. However, he made a remarkable comeback in the second half. Although it took some time for him to regain his stride, we observed a notable improvement in his performance. He demonstrates strength on the ice, possesses a powerful shot, and exhibits some impressive skills.” Schmidt’s resilience and potential make him a compelling prospect with the ability to make a positive impact on the team.
11/238 Astill, Saul – D – 6.00.25 140 – 05/28/08 – Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep Edmonton, AB
Better call Saul. I hope this guy makes it just on his name alone. With their last pick in the draft, the Rebels opted for defenceman Saul Astill from the Northern Alberta Xtreme U15 Prep team. Hailing from Edmonton, this left-handed blueliner demonstrated his skills by contributing 13 points in 30 games. According to a team representative, Astill showed remarkable growth and development throughout the season as he became more attuned to his body. In the latter part of the campaign, he truly began to showcase his potential and assert his own style of play. As a smart player with a keen sense of the ice, Astill displays strong defensive abilities. In fact, the team representative drew a comparison to former Rebels defenceman Blake Gustafson, indicating that Astill’s style of play bears similarities to the former standout.
