Six Manitobans selected in NHL draft

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Published on Wednesday, June 29, 2016

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

A half dozen Manitoba born players have been selected in the 2016 National Hockey League (NHL) draft. Brett Howden of Oakbank was the first and only provincial player to be selected in the first round on Friday, June 24, being picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning with the 27th overall pick. The 18-year-old played with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League last year.

Wade Allison of Myrtle, MB was chosen in the second round (52nd overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers, followed by Adam Brooks of Winnipeg, who went in the fourth round (92nd overall), to the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Tanner Kaspick of Brandon went in the fourth round (119th overall) to the St. Louis Blues. Kaspick has local ties, as he has grandparents who are residents of Neepawa. Kaspick played for the Brandon Wheat Kings and helped the team capture the WHL title and a trip to the Memorial Cup.

The next Manitoban to be chosen was Jordan Stallard, also of Brandon, who went to the Winnipeg Jets in the fifth round (127th). The final player from the province drafted was Dean Stewart, who played with the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. The defensemen was chosen in the seventh round (188th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, Stewart helped Portage to win the MJHL championship and also was played on the Under-19 Canada West team, which captured a gold medal at the World Junior A Challenge