With one pick left to be made in the 2019 MJHL Draft, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines swapped a future draft choice to the Portage Terriers in exchange for the 66th and final pick in this years Draft.
It’s clear the organization saw something in Jayden Michaels, a 5-foot-8, right-shooting defender from East St. Paul, Manitoba. And although Michaels had to wait patiently until the very last pick to be taken, he says it was certainly worth the wait.
“I felt there was a chance, I wasn’t too sure, “Michaels said of his uncertainty heading into draft day. “I was looking at my phone that morning, I didn’t know what to think and then I saw my name.”
“The feeling of being drafted was amazing, nothing beats it. I didn’t know that the Wolverines actually traded up to get me until after the draft. Troy (Hickman) welcomed me aboard and told me about the organization, I was just thrilled.”
In 32 regular-season games last year with the B1AAA Winnipeg Sharks, Michaels scored 4 goals and added 4 assists. It was in the playoffs where the young defender really found his game, scoring four times in 13 games while adding 3 helpers.
“My regular-season was pretty good, I thought I could have done a little better. In playoffs, I thought I put up some pretty good numbers into the finals and played well.”
Michaels and his Sharks teammates came within one win of the league title after battling back from down 3-1 to force game seven against the Monarchs. After falling 1-0 to the Monarchs in game seven, Michaels has since moved on and is focused on the coming season.
“I’ve been training hard and I’ll be trying out for the Thrashers in the fall here. I’m a defensive defenseman, I try to play a smart game and get shots on net from the point, “Michaels concluded.
Fans can get their first look at Jayden Michaels when training camp opens up on Friday, August 30.