Bloodlines run deep for Saskatoon in WHL Bantam Draft

                                                                      Colton Dach

                                                                   Kirby Dach


With the 6th overall pick in the WHL bantam draft.  The Saskatoon Blades select Colton Dach.  This initially was a questionable pick for me as the Blades passed on some very elite company in Zack Stringer, and 46 goal guy Cole Sillinger(speaking of bloodlines)

At age 14 Zack Stringer is already playing M-AAA(Just like Kirby Dach did) Which is usually a sign that he does not have much issues playing against older and bigger kids(ie, the jump to WHL)  Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Stringer is that he's not only playing against much older competition, but he raised his game to a whole new level in playoffs, dominating the post-season with an astonishing 11 goals in 10 games, his pace didn't slow down in the Telus Cup either remaining a goal a game guy.  To play in M-AAA as a 14 in one thing, to dominate it is another.  Already standing at 6'1, 155 lbs, i expect him to be a 6'3+ power forward with an offensive gift.  Another note i found interesting was during interviews, other prospects named Stringer as the player they respect the most.

Cole Sillinger(yes, the son of Mike Sillinger)  plays hard and puts the puck in the net.  Plays both ends of the ice and WANTS the puck on his stick and is confident when he gets it.  There was speculation that he would not report to the WHL but he signed 1 month after being drafted by the Medicine Hat Tigers.

So....  Why would the Saskatoon Blades pass on a 40 goal guy, and/or a big talented player who excels come playoff time?  Well Colton isn't JUST Kirby's brother, and he did have a decent goal output of 22 on the season, but more than that would be his physicality.  He plays a hard-nosed physical game which is an element that Stringer and Sillinger haven't quite got yet.  Colton Dach prides himself in being difficult to play against and that is something the Blades are lacking with their talented forward group.  They do not have a big physical presence up front but Colton will provide that moving forward.

Would i have done it differently?  Yes:  With Lethbridge picking just 2 spots behind the Blades and the Hurricanes obviously wanting the hometown Stringer, they could have traded picks with Lethbridge and likely received an extra 2nd round pick in doing so.  This way The Blades would still get Dach and likely an extra 2nd round pick too.  Hindsight is 20-20.

PS:  The Blades 2nd round pick: Marek Scheider, is the younger brother of Brandon's blue hip prospect Braden Scheider.  I have heard that Marek plays a very similar game to his brother, if that's the case then Marek is a steal at round 2.