ESTEVAN - An Estevan Minor Hockey Association product was an early selection in this year's Western Hockey League Prospects Draft.
Boston Tait was selected in the first round, 12th overall, by the Wenatchee Wild in Thursday's draft. The 6'1" defenceman is coming off of a stellar year, as he finished with 30 goals and 16 assists in 24 games while playing for the Estevan TS&M U15 AA Bruins. He added a goal and two assists in two playoff games for Estevan.
Tait scored once in four games as an affiliated player for the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears, and also impressed in tournaments during the season.
He has played all of his development hockey in Estevan.
Tait's selection was also a historical one. He was the first player selected by the Wild since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg to the city in Washington State last year.
It's the earliest an Estevan hockey player has been selected in the WHL Draft since Cole Fonstad was picked fifth overall by the Prince Albert Raiders in 2015.
Also on Thursday, forward Nathan Gardiner of Gainsborough, who also played for the TS&M AA Bruins last season, was selected in the sixth round, 117th overall by the Calgary Hitmen. He finished last season with 19 goals and 42 assists in 26 games, and added two goals and three assists in the two postseason games.
Forward Brock MacDougall, who was born in Estevan and spent last season with the HC Edmonton U15 program, was picked in the eighth round, 159th overall by the Seattle Thunderbirds. He had 31 goals and 21 assists in 33 games last season, and added five goals and two assists in seven postseason games.
