The Gillette Wild are proud to introduce their 2015-2016 NA3HL Draft Class. In this years draft Coach Hodge focused on talent that was fairly close to home, including taking forward Michael Doyle from Casper, Wyoming with our first pick and number 28 overall. Of our eight picks, only one comes to us from somewhere other than a nearby state and that is forward Hunter Johnson out of Bellingham, Washington. Along with focusing on nearby talent, drafting teammates was a theme this year. In the 3rd and 6th rounds we selected Kansas City Jets forwards Connor Moore and Tristan Hillebret, respectively. Then in the 7th and 8th rounds we selected Rushmore Thunder teammates Owen Leberknight, brother of current Wild defenseman Tristen, and goaltender Matt Habber.
Coach Brendon Hodge had this to say regarding the draft, "I was looking for a couple different things, First I was looking for players like Michael Doyle, Connor Moore, Hunter Johnson guys that can help contribute right away with the players coming back from last year's team. Then with picks like Owen Leberknight, Matt Habber, and Tristan Hillebret; those picks were for the future. Guys that I want to keep my eye on and see how they develop over this coming year."
“Based on the draft and the guys we are bringing in as well as the guys returning from last year we are looking forward to this season, said Managing Partner Dwayne Dillinger, “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Gillette Community for their continued support of the team as we enter our fifth season and hope to see you at the rink.”
Below are this years picks:
1st Round, 28th Overall
Michael Doyle, F, Team Wyoming U18
2nd Round, 62nd Overall
Kevin Lake, G, Colorado Rampage
3rd Round, 96th Overall
Connor Moore, F, Kansas City Jets
4th Round, 129th Overall
Hunter Johnson, F, Bellingham NORPAC
5th Round, 162nd Overall
Steven Gustafson, N/A, KC Mavericks U18
6th Round 196th Overall
Tristan Hillebret, F, Kansas City Jets
7th Round, 228th Overall
Owen Leberknight, F, Rushmore Thunder
8th Round, 239th Overall
Matt Habber, G, Rushmore Thunder