21 Canes Prospects Invited to Provincial Camps

Press Release

Lethbridge, AB - The Lethbridge Hurricanes would like to congratulate all 21 of their draft picks and prospects who have gained invite to their prospective provincial team camps at the Under-16 and Under-17 level. Among them, all four of the Hurricanes blue chip 2010 Bantam Draft picks from the 1st and second round. 2010 first round pick (3rd overall) - Jay (Johnathon) Merkley and second round picks Craig Leverton (25th overall), Macoy Erkamps (27th overall) and Joel Topping (41st overall). Just a few of the other notables include the Canes first two selections in the 2009 WHL Bantam draft - Ryley Bennefield and Sam McKechnie as well as local products Mark Eremenko and Russell Maxwell.

Merkley, is a 5'10, 160 pound center who tallied 30 goals and 41 assists for 71 points and 32 PIMs in 33 games for the Bisons; good enough for fifth in scoring Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 09-10. Merkley was integral in the Bisons capturing of the 2010 Provincial and League Championships, while collecting individual accolades as the winner of the AMBHL South Division Scoring title, South Division Forward Award and the South Division Most Valuable Player Award. He then followed that up with an impressive weekend at the Alberta Cup in leading all forwards in scoring.

Leverton is a 5'10, 170 pound power forward from Warman, SK who tallied and impressive 47 goals, 43 assists for 90 points and 140 PIMs in just 22 games with Warman of the Centre Four Hockey League. Erkamps is a 5'10, 175 pound right handed defenseman from Ladner, BC who was a standout for the South Delta AAA Bantams with 10 goals, 26 assists and 54 PIMs in 63 games. Topping is a 6'1, 175 pound offensive d-man from Red Deer, AB who scored 47 points (15 goals, 32 assists) and 90 PIMs in 33 games with the Red Deer Rebels (Black) of the AMBHL. Topping already has ties to the WHL as his older brother Mitch is currently on the roster of the Chilliwack Bruins.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes would like congratulate all of their prospects on taking this next step in their development and wish them all the best of luck at their respective selection camps.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)