An Airdrie player is a step closer to playing major junior hockey after being drafted in the first round of this week's Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

Jake Neighbours was selected fourth overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the draft held in Calgary.  Neighbours spent last season at the Pursuit of Excellence Bantam Prep Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C. where he collected 27 goals and 41 assists in only 30 games.  Neighbours played the previous season with the Airdrie Xtreme "AAA" Bantams.

Another area player, Kyle Crnkovic from Chesteremere was also chosen in the first round, 10th overall, by the Saskatoon Blades.  Crnkovic also attended the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy.  

Four other players from the area were picked in the draft.  

Cochrane's Tyrel Bauer went in the second round, 41st overall, to the Seattle Thunderbirds.  The Moose Jaw Warriors selected another Chestermere player, goaltender Jackson Berry, 124th in the draft.  Another Cochranite, Nickolas de Beurs was chosen in the eighth round by the Red Deer Rebels.  And Jared Miller of Crossfield went to the Regina Pats as the 242nd overall pick.

Players eligible for the 2017 Bantam draft were born in 2002.  

 

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