Cougars make Shurgot first Saskatoon pick in WHL'S prospects draft
Prince George scout praises youngster's `unparalleled' ability to generate offence
The hockey pipeline between Prince George and Saskatoon was put into action once again on Thursday.
With the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 Western Hockey League Prospects Draft, the Prince George Cougars selected Saskatoon's Lee Shurgot.
These are the same Cougars who selected Saskatoon products Riley Heidt and Tyson Buczkowski in the previous two WHL drafts.
Shurgot put up big numbers — 57 goals and 43 assists for 100 points in 31 games — with the Saskatoon Under-15 AA Generals in the Saskatchewan Under-15 AA Hockey League this past season.
“Lee is a young fellow who we had identified early on in the season,” said Bob Simmonds, director of scouting for the Cougars.
“His ability to generate offence is unparalleled. We wanted to add to our young group of skilled forwards that we have already in place, and we saw Lee as an excellent fit for our young group going forward.”
Shurgot, a Grade 9 student at Holy Cross, was busy with driver training on Thursday, but he sounded thrilled to be put in a future driver's seat with the Cougars.
“It's awesome,” said Shurgot, who'll join the Saskatoon AAA Blazers next season.
“It's a great organization to be drafted to — very bright future, lots of Saskatoon players. I have a few buddies there and know some of the guys.
“I definitely had a thought that they might pick me if I was available.”
The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Shurgot finished second in Saskatchewan AA scoring behind only Prairie Storm's Luke Moroz, who was taken 15th overall by the Prince Albert Raiders.
“We're very excited,” added Simmonds. “His potential and ceiling is unlimited. He really makes the players around him better, and that's very noticeable. For us, we see him fitting in seamlessly with our young group going forward.”
Outlaws forward Corban Almen was the next Saskatoon player off the board, taken in the second round, 31st overall, by the Regina Pats.
“Yeah, I'm crazy excited,” said Almen, who had 55 goals and 37 assists for 92 points in 31 games this past season.
“It's honestly a big surprise to me, but I'm super excited here and the entire family is stoked.”
Almen, a Grade 9 student at St. Joe's, said he didn't even realize the Pats were interested.
“No, I didn't,” said the 5-foot-10, 163-pound forward. “I kind of had some idea that I might go to Red Deer or maybe to Swift (Current).
“That's crazy cool to be able to learn lots watching guys, especially (Connor) Bedard. He's crazy skilled, crazy good. I'll be able to learn lots from him and (Tanner) Howe and the other guys on the team.”
Almen will join the Blazers U-18 team next season.
Kash Andresen, who had 25 goals 32 assists for 57 points in 31 games with the Saskatoon AA Bandits this past season, was taken in the second round, 33rd overall by the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“It's a huge honour to get drafted by them,” said Andresen, who had seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in nine playoff games with the Bandits.
“They have a great organization and great players and I'm just happy to be part of the group with them.”
The 5-foot-10, 140-pound forward said he had a “little bit” of an idea that the Hurricanes might pick him.
“They talked to me a decent amount, but I didn't really know for sure. I wasn't worried where I went.”
The St. Joseph's High School Grade 9 student is following the footsteps of his older brother, Reid Andresen, a defenceman with the Medicine Hat Tigers who was selected by the Tigers in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.
“I just learn from him — he teaches me great things and I couldn't do it without him, so it's thanks to him,” said Kash, who'll suit up with the Saskatoon Under-18 Blazers next season.
ROUNDING OUT THE SASKATOON AA PICKS
Brayden Smith, D, Generals (third round, 53rd overall, Regina Pats); Emerson Clark, D, Stallions (third round, 56th overall, Brandon Wheat Kings); Leo Seitz, F, Stallions (fourth round, 68th overall, Tri-city Americans); Rylan Hue, F, Bandits (sixth round, 129th, Saskatoon Blades); Dayton Deschamps, D, Outlaws (seventh round, 137th, Blades); Tao Flory, D, Bandits (eighth round, 166th, Brandon); Preston Baerwald, F, Bandits (eighth round, 168th, Moose Jaw Warriors); Logan Edmonstone, G, Generals (eighth round, 173rd, Kamloops), Wyatt Bouvier, G, Bandits (ninth round, 179th, Victoria); Tyce Penrod, F, Stallions (10th round, 216, Portland); Sean Shiels, F, Generals (11th round, 222, Tri-city).