Two Big Valley hockey players selected in WHL Bantam Draft

    Big Valley hockey players were in the limelight last week as two players from the village were selected in the WHL Bantam Draft.     The annual draft allows WHL teams to pick from the crop of bantam players coming up the ranks, and often can be a first step to the bigger leagues.
    This year Ty Mappin of Big Valley was selected seventh overall by the Everett Silvertips, and Logan Hermus was selected 80th overall in the fourth round by the Moose Jaw Warriors. Going into the draft, Mappin was optimistic about being a first round pick.
    “I kind of had an idea, but I was not quite sure,” he said.
    Ty is, the younger brother of Cassidy Mappin who finished up his junior career in Drumheller with the Dragons after playing in the WHL for the Red Deer Rebels and Vancouver Giants and in the USHL for the Tri-City Storm.
    Ty has made a name for himself in the hockey realm, the five foot-eleven centre played last season for the AAA Bantam Red Deer Rebels white team. He hopes to continue to play AAA hockey in Red Deer next season.
    Last year he went to the Alberta All Star Game, and was selected as an all star. In his league, he was selected as MVP for the South. He also was an all star at the Alberta Cup.
    He talked to a number of teams going into the draft, and likes Everett. One reason is, although it is a U.S. based team, he is able to access Alberta curriculum courses to continue his studies.
    The careers of Mappin and Hermus have been closely linked. Both grew up playing together in Big Valley, and both last season played for the AAA Bantam Rebels White team in Red Deer.
    “We’ve got quite the crew,” he said of the Big Valley players. “Me and Ty played well together and had a ton of fun.”
    He adds to watch for another Big Valley player, Dylan Houston, who has been performing well for the Red Deer Rebels black team, and although he did not go in the draft is sure to get a camp invite.
    Hermus is a 177-pound defenseman who earned 35 points in 33 games last year, with eight goals and 27 assists. He also earned a spot on the Southern All star team.
    While he talked to a number of teams heading into the draft, Moose Jaw was not one of them. From what he understands, Moose Jaw is a middle of the pack team that is on its way up.
    He will be back in Red Deer to play next season.
    “I still have to prove myself,” he said.