The Prince George Cougars had nine picks in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and they used their fourth selection, 44th overall, to select a power-forward out of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League.
When you look at his vitals, the one thing that stands out to you is his size. At just 14-years-old, Blake Eastman is listed at 6’2 and 178 pounds. Eastman used that size to his advantage in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers. Eastman was a point per-game player, scoring 17 goals and adding another 17 assists for 34 points in 32 games.
“He’s a big, tall winger with good hands, and he skates well and we’re thrilled to have him in the organization,” says Director of Scouting Bob Simmonds.
“He finished the season very strongly and he was clearly one of the leaders of that team. He’s a heckuva good hockey player and he’s still growing into his body and I think the sky’s the limit.”
Eastman made a lasting impression at the Alberta Cup in Spruce Grove, Alberta, which was less than a week before the WHL Bantam Draft. in five games with Team Edmonton Yellow, Eastman scored six goals and finished with nine points, leading his team to the Final against Team Central.
-PG Cougars
