U15 AAA Selects continuing to produce top WHL talent

Three years ago, Brek Liske (Beausejour) was taken by Everett in the first round of the WHL draft. Two years ago Graeme Pickering (St Adolphe) and Asher Gingras (Steinbach) were taken in the first round. Last year Crosby Mateychuk (Dominion City) was selected by Vancouver and has already made the jump to major junior.

In 2026, Île-des-Chênes’ Nixon Gaudet is hoping to add his name to that list, as the U15 Eastman Selects enjoy another strong year in the AAA league thanks in part to the 2011-born forward’s efforts. Gaudet had 50 goals in the first 29 games of the season.

“He’s probably one of the most skilled players in the draft, but because of his size he gets knocked back a few pegs,” Selects head coach Gerald Tetrault said.

“That being said, he’s a dog and he works so hard and I’m super proud of where he’s come in the last couple years as a player.”

The Selects were 24-3-1 with one tie and lead the East Division. The final games of the regular season will be Feb. 22.

Tetrault has been impressed by this year’s edition of the Selects, noting a turning point of the season was a Christmas tournament in Saskatchewan.

“We’re starting to play more as a team, more structured in terms of our end goals of possibly making a run at a championship this year,” Tetrault said.

“I’m super proud of the guys. They stick together, they work hard and they’re super-skilled. It’s fun to coach.”

This year’s edition of the U15 Selects boasts a deep line-up of skill-players, with Tetrault noting they’ve learned how to play with physicality throughout the course of this season. The head coach pointed to Gaudet as a perfect example of what the team has learned, describing how learning to play with a physical presence has opened up space for the forward to use his skill.

Eastman isn’t just putting players in the first round, they’re generating real star-power, with NHL picks Denton Mateychuk, Owen Pickering, Owen Martin and likely future NHL pick Zach Lansard all hailing from the region. Luke Mistelbacher wasn’t drafted to the WHL, but already has his first career professional goal and is set to join the NCAA ranks next season.

Gaudet’s season has him in line with those players.

“The more he plays and the more we play in significant games, I think his stock will continue to rise,” Tetrault said, predicting if things stay as they are now, Gaudet will hear his name called in the first three rounds of the draft.

“I’m not a scout, so I don’t really know where he ends up, but that’s what we’re hearing.”

Tetrault credits the region’s strong AA program for the recent success. Many of the U15 AA teams participate in combined skills practices with the AAA team and enjoy great coaching regardless of the level of competition.

“We want our kids to stay here, we don’t want them going to academies,” Tetrault said.

“We have to be more attractive, we have to push harder to develop our own kids and that’s what we do.”

Many of those high-profile players got their start in Eastman before moving to play at hockey academies like the Rink in Winnipeg instead of with the U18 or U17 AAA teams when they graduate from the U15 ranks.

Tetrault, who had to drive 1.5 hours to Beausejour when his son played U18 AAA, said he thought the U18 program’s recent move from Beausejour to Steinbach was a good idea, so players from the South of the region have less driving time and the program can better compete with academies.

Most of the region’s population live South of the Trans-Canada Highway, and playing out of a brand-new building doesn’t hurt either.

“We’ll never be able to compete with the programs like the Rink,” Tetrault said.

“They have all of the things that allow players to immerse themselves within their team there. I get it, but the price tag to me is ridiculous. That being said, that could be a good option for players. I never begrudge families for going to academies, and looking after the best interest of their sons or daughters but we think we have an amazing program here in Eastman.”