Bobcats Go All-in on Forwards in 2015 Draft
BISMARCK, ND – With major firepower on the way out, the Bismarck Bobcats went on the offensive in the 2015 NAHL Entry Draft, using all five of their selections on forwards.
“Losing such a big chunk of our top scorers, forward was obviously a top priority for us,” explained Bobcats head coach and general manager, who completed his sixth Draft Tuesday. “We are very excited about the players we selected; they all have the ability to be big-time impact players right away.”
Going young for the second straight Draft, the Bobcats did not select any final-year (1995) players.
The five players taken will be added to the 25 returning veterans and tender signees to round out the Cats’ 30-man protected list.
| RD | PICK | NAME | POS | YEAR | PREVIOUS TEAM |
| 1 | 11 | Justin Howell | F | 1997 | St. Paul Johnson Governors (MN HS) |
| 2 | 33 | Chris Gambardella | F | 1996 | Lincoln Stars (USHL) |
| 4 | 77 | Nick Alexander | F | 1998 | Dallas Stars U16 (T1EHL) |
| 5 | 99 | Michael Montambault | F | 1997 | Victory Honda U18 (T1EHL) |
| 6 | 118 | Eetu Selanne | F | 1997 | LA Jr. Kings U18 (T1EHL) |
Selected 11th overall, Howell averaged 1.32 games for St. Paul Johnson High in the Twin Cities on 15 goals and 18 assists.
Gambardella notched seven points in the USHL with Lincoln after racking up 32 points with the New Jersey Rockets in the EHL early in the 2014-15 campaign.
After not selecting in the third round, the Cats spent three straight picks on players out of the prestigious Tier I Elite League.
Already 6’0” at age 16, Alexander recorded six goals and 11 helpers in 23 appearances with the Stars.
Standing a towering 6’4”, the 18-year-old Montambault put up nine scores and 23 assists in 2014-15.
Selanne, son of 15th-leading all-time NHL point-scorer Teemu, comes from the LA Junior Kings program, which produced 2014-15 Bobcats Jared Pike and Cole Souto, along with 2015 tender signee Tyse Teague.
Next up for the Bobcats during the 2015 offseason will be the team’s Main Camp at the VFW Sports Center, July 17-19. As it is every year, Main Camp will be open to the public.
Season tickets are now on sale for 2015-16; if you want to beat the rush of 40,000 fans for next season, now is the time! Call 222-3300 today to reserve your seats.