As a 14-year-old hockey player there is not much greater dream than being drafted to the Western Hockey League but for LeRoy’s Connor McGrath, that dream became a reality.
McGrath, a 5’5” 105lb forward, was selected in the ninth round 196th overall by the Everett Silvertips at the WHL Bantam Draft in Red Deer on May 3.
“It was a pretty surreal feeling at first. I was pretty excited that I got drafted to them,” admitted McGrath.
The LeRoy native admitted to not expecting to get a call, but said going to a team like Everett, who were steps away from appearing in the Memorial Cup, is pretty exciting.
“I’d just be excited to get drafted but they’re a pretty interesting club and they have a very good organization.”
In his second season with the Humboldt Bantam AA Broncos, the 14-year-old enjoyed an excellent season posting 22 goals, and 31 assists for 53 points in 31 games, to lead his team in scoring.
In four playoff games the LeRoy native added three assists.
While McGrath was busy posting gaudy numbers offensively, he says his combination of work ethic and offensive ability combined are two things he thinks he will be able to bring to the Silvertips in the future.
That future will not start in September however, as McGrath will be ineligible to play in the WHL, with rules stating players must be 16 to play full-time, without special exemption.
With that in mind, McGrath says he recently signed to play with Prairie Hockey Academy in the fall, with his eyes set on making their Elite-15 roster.
While there, McGrath says the keys will be for him to continue working hard.
“I’ve just got to get stronger… and hopefully just get the opportunity and just keep working hard and practicing every aspect of my game to make me better.”
While he will not be able to make the WHL roster full-time this fall, McGrath will be spending some time in the WHL in the fall, as he noted he expects to attend their fall training camp, a move he says will be crucial for his development.
“It will be a pretty important experience and it will be a fun experience for me… Just to see my competition and how everybody is down there and what it’s like and just how to keep getting better to be at that level that the WHL players are there.”
