Garnet Kazuik, Director of Scouting for the Kootenay ICE last week announced defenseman Griffin Mendel has been selected 11th overall by the club in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

The 25th annual WHL Bantam Draft began at 8:30 a.m. May 1 in Calgary and is for players born in 1999 and playing in the four Western Provinces and selected regions of the United States.

“We have been watching Mendel since he was 13 and although he is recovering from an injury there are many qualities in him we feel will make a great fit in our organization,” commented Kazuik. “He has a similar playing style to former ICE players Joey Leach and Brayden McNabb and is a big body and heavy hard player. We are excited to welcome Griffin to the Kootenay ICE organization.”

Mendel, 6’1” and 185 lbs, was born, February 18, 1999, and is from Kelowna.

He played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy this past season.

In total, the ICE drafted 10 players.

Along with Mendel, the following players were drafted:

Round Two –  33rd Overall – Jakob Walter

Birthdate:  May 16, 1999; Hometown:  West Kamloops

Position:  Goaltender; Height:  6’1″ – Weight:  180 lbs.

13-14 Team: Kamloops Jardine Blazers – OMAHA

Round Four – 77th Overall –Max Patterson

Birthdate:  December 27, 1999; Hometown: Kamloops

Position: Right Wing; Height:  6’3″ – Weight:  165 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Kamloops Jardine Blazers – OMAHA

Round Five – 99th Overall – Linden Babcock

Birthdate: November 5, 1999; Hometown:  Calgary, AB

Position:  Centre; Height:  5’11” – Weight:  163 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Calgary Flames – AMBHL

Round Seven – 138th Overall –Austin Wieler

Birthdate:  June 18, 1999; Hometown:  Laird, SK

Position: Defenseman; Height:  6’0” – Weight:  157 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Sask Valley Vipers – SBAAHL

Round Eight – 165th Overall –Brett Trentham

Birthdate:  March 8, 1999; Hometown:  Three Hills, AB

Position:  Left Wing; Height:  5’11” – Weight:  165 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Airdrie Xtreme – AMBHL

Round Nine – 187th Overall – Austin Nault

Birthdate:  June 1, 1999; Hometown:  Winnipeg, MB

Position:  Right Wing; Height:  5’11”  – Weight:  142 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Winnipeg Warriors – WMHA

Round Nine – 198th Overall – Sam Huston

Birthdate:  May 31, 1999; Hometown:  Brandon, MB

Position:  Defenseman; Height:  6’3″ – Weight:  160 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Brandon Wheat Kings – WMHA

Round 10 – 209th Overall – Evan Thomas

Birthdate:  September 6, 1999; Hometown:  Saskatoon, SK

Position:  Centre; Height:  5’8” – Weight:  155 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Saskatoon Outlaws – SBAAHL

Round 11 – 231st Overall – Thomas Goldade

Birthdate:  April 16, 1999; Hometown:  Regina, SK

Position:  Forward; Height:  6’0” – Weight:  170 lbs.

13-14 Team:  Regina Monarchs – SBAAHL.

Mendel becomes the 19th first round draft pick in the history of the ICE franchise.

ICE first round draft history

2013 Draft – Forward Jared Legien – 9th Overall

2012 Draft – Defenseman Tory Murray – 10th Overall

2011 Draft – Forward Collin Shirley – 17th Overall

2010 Draft – Forward Sam Reinhart – 15th Overall

2009 Draft – Forward Colby Cave – 13th Overall

2008 Draft – Forward Brendan Hurley – 15th Overall

2007 Draft – Forward Drew Czerwonka – 20th Overall

2006 Draft – Goaltender Nathan Lieuwen – 16th Overall

2005 Draft – Defenseman Jordan Wilkins – 20th Overall

2004 Draft – Defenseman John Negrin – 7th Overall

2003 Draft – Defenseman Todd Panchyson – 12th Overall

2003 Draft – Forward Ben Maxwell – 2nd Overall

2001 Draft – Forward Jeremy Schenderling – 19th Overall

2000 Draft – Forward Dale Mahovsky – 17th Overall

1999 Draft – Defenseman Andy Thompson – 7th Overall

1998 Draft – Goaltender Dan Blackburn – 3rd Overall

1997 Draft – Forward Jarret Stoll – 1st Overall

1996 Draft – Defenseman Steve McCarthy – 1st Overall

Kootenay ICE

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