Pistons make moves, select 9 in MJHL draft

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This article was published 11/06/2023 (748 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The early part of June has been a busy time for the Steinbach Pistons.

Not only did the team make nine selections in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League draft, they also swung two trades with fellow teams in the league.

Brandon Funk, a 2005-born forward who has over 100 games of MJHL experience is coming to the Automobile City. He’s spent the last two seasons playing for the Portage Terriers and Winnipeg Blues. During the 22/23 season he scored 40 points in 52 games. Funk has committed to Long Island University in New York.

“(Funk) brings a lot of energy to the ice and you can count on him emptying his tank every night,” Pistons head coach and general manager Paul Dyck said.

“For a young player, he will add significant experience to our team and has proven he can score at this level. He is going to be a player our fans are really going to get behind because of how he plays the game.”

Heading back to the Blues in the deal are the rights to 2006-born forward Cole Penner and 2005-born defender Blake Goretzki, who both spent last season on Rink Hockey Academy’s U18 team.

“Whenever you acquire a good player there is a cost associated to it and the Blues are receiving two young prospects with upside,” Dyck said, while wishing both players the best in their hockey future.

In a separate deal, forward Neo Kiemeney was shipped out to Waywayseecappo for a 2023 third round pick in the draft and future considerations. Kiemeney has played over 100 games in a Pistons jersey, first suiting up for Steinbach in the 19/20 season, scoring a goal in his debut with the team.

“(Kiemeney) has been a big part of our success over the past two years and we are thankful for his contributions to our program,” Dyck said.

“This opportunity could really benefit him and I expect him to play a large role in Waywayseecappo and enjoy a lot of success.”

Last season he played 58 games in the regular season, scoring 26 points.

At the draft, held June 4, Steinbach made selections in each of the first seven rounds, including two in the second and fifth rounds. Adding nine prospects is a great haul for the defending MJHL champions.

“It’s always a benefit when you are able to augment the player list with quality draft picks after a successful season where we dropped in the draft order,” Dyck said.

“We made a couple of moves to add a second and third round pick, so we were quite pleased with that.”

With their first pick they selected Brady Turko, a forward from Brandon. Turko scored at nearly a point-per-game pace during the regular season this year, suiting up for the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA team.

“Turko is an dynamic forward with excellent vision and passing ability,” Dyck said.

“We thought he was one of the best playmakers in the draft. He’s a wizard with the puck, plays with an edge and creates chances regularly.”

There was a familiar name taken off the board by Steinbach in the third round, as the team selected Kasen Mateychuk, the brother of Denton Mateychuk. The elder Mateychuk, who was selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets last year, suited up for the Pistons for eight games during the 20/21 season.

“Kasen is a big, mobile defenceman with good feet who had an outstanding year in Eastman,” Dyck said.

“As an underager, he was one of their top defenceman. He plays in all situations, moves the puck well and is an excellent defender.”

Both players grew up in Dominion City. Kasen spent last season playing for the Eastman Selects U18 AAA team, notching 16 points from the blue line.

This is the second year the MJHL selected players in their 16-year-old season, as opposed to previous years selecting players in their 15-year-old year.

Steinbach Pistons 2023 Draft Class (hometown in brackets)

R1: F Brady Turko (Brandon)

R2: F Blake Farthing (Stonewall) pick from Selkirk

R2: D Kasen Mateychuk (Dominion City)

R3: D Tate Dolinsky (Winnipeg) pick from Niverville

R4: G Brant Catellier (Winnipeg)

R5: F Wyatt Stinton (Flin Flon)

R5: F Ben Brambilla (East St Paul)

R6: F Hayden Turner (Souris)

R7: F Matthew Gard (Winnipeg)

R8: Pass