Pulock Goes to Isles at #15

Courtesy NYIslanders via Twitter

  Ryan Pulock became just the fourth Brandon Wheat Kings' defenceman to be chose in the first round of the NHL Draft on Sunday, going 15th overall to the New York Islanders.



Ironically, three of the four Brandon blueliners taken in the first round of the NHL Draft were chosen by the Islanders as the Grandview product joins Wade Redden (2nd overall, 1995) and Kevin Cheveldayoff (15th overall, 1988).

Brad McCrimmon, who was chosen by Boston 15th overall in 1979, is the other Wheat King defenceman to go in the first round.

Pulock was the first Manitoban selected in the NHL Draft after a season that saw him score 45 points in 61 games with the Wheat Kings.

"Our organization's young core has been built through the NHL Draft and is beginning to mature into a team that will perennially compete for the Stanley Cup," said Islanders' GM Garth Snow in a release, "With the guidance from our coaching and development staff, we’re confident that Pulock will develop into yet another key piece of that core. Ryan’s leadership qualities, his steady defensive presence and his ability to jump into the play on offense will be an asset for our team for years to come."

The WHL had eight players chosen in the first round including Prince Albert defenceman Josh Morrissey, who went to the Winnipeg Jets just two picks before Pulock was selected by the Islanders.

  Eric Roy had a longer wait than Pulock to hear his name called -- about four hours longer.

  The 18-year old was tapped by the Calgary Flames in the fifth round of the NHL Draft, 135th overall.

  Roy was projected to be a third round pick but fell to the fifth round.

  Sunday marked the first time since 1997 that the Wheat Kings had more than one defenceman chosen in the same NHL Draft.

  It also marked the ninth straight year Brandon has had at least one player chosen in the Draft -- the ninth longest streak in the Western Hockey League.

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