Derek Topping admits his household will be busy clicking on the whl.ca website today, anxiously awaiting any sign of his son Kyle’s name popping up on screen during the annual Western Hockey League bantam draft.
But it goes far beyond that.
Derek, the head coach of the successful Cowichan Valley Capitals major bantam club, could see a handful of players selected today. He realizes the annual selection of potential major junior players is a crapshoot, but he will watch on with hopes for all.
The biggest catch is likely Ben Berard, who scored more than 120 goals this season for Topping’s Capitals.
“I’ll have it on for sure. There’s no question,” the elder Topping said of keeping an eye on the website. “Kyle’s nervous about it. I’m excited, obviously, for my own son, but for the others as well. Ben is a player I’ve known since he was five. I’m excited for all the kids who have an opportunity to go — excited and rooting for them all.”
Topping’s son Kyle is a five-foot-nine, 175-pound forward who has attracted some interest throughout the year. Derek’s elder boy, Jordan, was drafted and signed with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL and will venture south next season after playing with the BCHL’s Capitals. The Topping family hails from Saltspring Island.
Berard is likely Cowichan Valley’s biggest prize today, as the five-foot-10, 165-pound winger is described as a highly skilled player who recently competed in the B.C. Cup where he was joined by teammates Topping, Dawson Frank, Brad Bagnall, Kei Lowes, Derek Krall, Dylan Hartl and Brayden Nelson. All could potentially be selected today, but that would be a tall order.
In Victoria, Boo Grist, Marty Westhaver, Jordan Guiney, Tanner Sidaway, Scott Smith and Drew Coughlin were all part of the B.C. Cup, which South Island Royals midget triple-A coach Geoff Grimwood had a hand in.
Grimwood coached Team Bruins, which included goaltender Krall, Berard and Lowes.
Grimwood also had Grist — whose older brother Sam played with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL — as an affiliated player through the season. The Victoria Racquet Club defenceman also joined the midget team for the playoffs.
“Boo is a very intelligent player, composed with the puck. He’s very hard working and committed and I think he’s got a good upside,” said Grimwood.
He and Berard are likely the best Island bets to be called today at the draft.
“He’s a goalscorer. There is no question about that,” coach Topping said of Berard. “Scoring 120 goals is exceptional at any level. He’s probably a kid who will reach six feet for sure and he’s definitely generated some interest from teams.”
Grimwood was also extremely impressed with Berard at the B.C. Cup.
“He’s a very talented, responsible two-way hockey player with a strong work ethic and good hockey sense. He’s a team-first guy and I think he’s got some future,” said Grimwood. “A nice skater as well. For a 15-year-old he is a very complete and intelligent player.”
Juan de Fuca’s Caleb Kueber’s name has also been bandied about, and also competing at the B.C. Cup were Nanaimo’s Lester Rodriguez Alvarez and Will Norman, and Port Alberni’s Nico Somerville and Ezra Paddock.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
