Four Yellowhead Chiefs selected in WHL draft

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Published on Thursday, May 14, 2015

Photo property of the Yellowhead Chiefs

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

Several members of the Yellowhead Chiefs boys bantam hockey team are a step closer to playing in the Western Hockey League.  The WHL conducted its annual draft on Thursday, May. 7, in Calgary and saw 231 players born in 2000 from eligible provinces and U.S. states selected. Among those new Western League hopefuls are four players from Yellowhead.

The first member of the Chiefs to be selected was defenceman Dawson Bateaux of Foxwarren, who was picked by the Regina Pats in the first round with the 14th selection. In round two, right winger Noah Geekie of Strathclair was taken by the Calgary Hitmen. The Hitmen would also take Yellowhead defenceman Layne Toder from Elkhorn, who was picked in the fourth round. Mackenzie Belinski of Vista, MB would be the fourth and final Chief selected when the Regina Pats called his name in the eighth round.

Yellowhead Chiefs coach Craig Geekie said these selections were a testament to the hard work and dedication the players have put into improving their skill set throughout the year.

“It’s great to see them reach this goal. To earn a chance at the Western Hockey League,” said Geekie. “I know that each of them will make the most of the opportunity to attend training camp. Going up against this higher level of play will push them to improve their skills. I think each of them will gain some new confidence by attending the camps, learn some new ideas and ultimately that should assist them to move on the next level.”

Winger Noah Geekie noted he is already preparing for the Hitmen’s training camp, because he knows there will be some extremely skilled competition out on the ice.

“When I first saw that it was Calgary [that selected me], I was really excited. It’s one of the top organizations in the WHL and it’s going to be really exciting,” Geekie said. “I’ve already started training sessions for the fall training camp. It’ll be a very different level of competition but one that it will make me a better player in the long run.”

Also travelling to Calgary in the fall will be Layne Toder, who has already focused on a few specific improvements to his game. 

“I’m working on getting a bit stronger and on ice I’m focused on getting a bit more speed, specifically with puck movement. The next few months will really be important. I hope to head into camp with a lot of improved skills,” said Toder. 

“No matter what happens, I know I’m going to take full advantage of the camp in Calgary. There’s a lot of smart coaching and trainers with the Hitmen and I definitely want to take advantage of that knowledge to improve my game.”

Dawson Barteaux said he’s very happy with his first round selection and is looking forward to potentially being a part of the Regina Pats organization.

“It’s amazing, especially to go to Regina. I just can’t wait to get there. It’s an honour to be selected by the Pats, it’s an honour to be even selected in the draft itself. This is an opportunity I am so much looking forward to,” said Barteaux.

Mackenzie Belinski could not be reached for comment before the publication deadline.