Sam Reinhart became the highest drafted Kootenay ICE player in franchise history today when he was selected second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

The Western Hockey League’s co-scoring leader in 2013/14, Reinhart is the third player in franchise history to be selected in the first round (1999 – defenceman Steve McCarthy, 23rd Overall Chicago Blackhawks; 2001 – goaltender Dan Blackburn, 10th Overall New York Rangers).

Sam is the third and youngest of the Reinhart brothers to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft (2010 – Former ICE forward Max Reinhart was drafted by the Calgary Flames third Round, 64th Overall in 2010 and Griffin Reinhart was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first Round, fourth overall in 2012).

Often touted as favourite to go first overall, Reinhart was passed by blueliner Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, selected first overall by the Florida Panthers.

Big Prince Albert Raiders scoring forward Leon Draisaitl was drafted third overall by the Edmonton Oilers and in classic Battle of Alberta fashion, the Calgary Flames were up next and they snagged Kingston Frontenacs forward Sam Bennett, a player compared to Doug Gilmour.

The Vancouver Canucks scooped up speedy Calgary Hitmen winger Jake Virtanen with the sixth overall selection.

The Winnipeg Jets, picking ninth overall, tabbed slick Danish forward Nikolaj Ehlers from the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Swedish centre William Nylander, son of former NHLer Michael, eighth overall, while the Montreal Canadians reached into the WHL for their 26^th overall pick Nikita Scherbak, a Czech winger with the Saskatoon Blades.

Armed with the 24^th overall pick, thanks to an earlier trade with the Anaheim Ducks that sent centre Ryan Kesler south, the Canucks drafted lanky centre Jared McCann from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

e-KNOW

---

Article Share

---