The future is bright for four graduates of the St. Albert Sabres.
Defencemen Zach Gonek (Swift Current Broncos) and Jake Kohlhauser (Vancouver Giants), forward Tyler Mrkonjic (Tri-City Americans) and goalie Patrick Gora (Regina Pats) stood together as the Sabres representation at the Western Hockey League bantam draft last week.
“It was a really good draft year for St. Albert. It shows our program is very strong,” said Kohlhauser, who netted 11 points for the 23-7-3 Sabres, divisional finalists in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.
They were picked 13th, 30th, 82nd and 179th overall, respectively.
“It was a great accomplishment but we worked really hard to get there,” said Mrkonjic, who finished tied for second in goals with 19 in 33 games.
A large part of their success plays into coaching. With Umberto Fiorillo and Rob Parrotta manning the bench, Mrkonjic is confident his placement is based on their instruction.
"I would like to thank all my coaches who were out there to get me in this position, as well as the players who helped me become a better hockey player,” said Mrkonjic, a fourth round pick by Tri-City.
Even though they were recently drafted, the training realm hasn’t slowed down for the former Sabres.
“Every area you always have to improve on in hockey but I think my foot speed could improve so I can get the puck quicker,” said Mrkonjic.
With his WHL future a couple of seasons away, Kohlhauser still has his goals set on how he would like his career to play out.
“If I do make the team I really want to become one of the top players in the WHL and become a leader on the team I became drafted to. I still haven’t made the team so it’s not a sure thing it will happen. I just have to go to camp, work my heart out to try and make that team,” said Kohlhauser, a second round selection by Vancouver.
Mrkonjic is anxious to see what the WHL is all about.
“I’m going to go to their training camp in August to get a feel of the organization and then when I turn 16, I’m going to go and try out for their team,” said the recipient of the John Reid Memorial Award for heart and hustle at the St. Albert tournament in January.
ICE CHIPS: Gonek was the seventh overall defenceman taken in the first round. He was the Sabres’ top scoring blueliner with nine goals and 13 assists in 28 games.
Gora, a ninth round pick by Regina, sported the second-best goals-against average in the league at 2.10, while going 12-4-2 with a .920 save percentage and three shutouts.
The St. Albert foursome also played for the second-place Northwest Sharks at last month’s Alberta Cup. Gora was named to the tournament’s all-star team.
