Lethbridge, AB – A year after a historic draft in which the Lethbridge Hurricanes had two picks in the top five, the Canes made their 1^st pick (4^th overall) in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft by selecting Forward Giorgio Estephan from Edmonton, AB.  Estephan at 5’11 and 168 pounds registered 100 points (43G, 57A) in 32 games with the Edmonton SSAC Bantam AAA (AMBHL); he also had 32 PIM’s. The 15-year old is a right-handed shot and was born February 3^rd, 1997.

Of Estephan, Hurricanes Scout Blake Robson says “we’re getting a really good player. Not only has he led his team in scoring, but he led tournaments in scoring as well. He has good size, very good hands and he’s a great leader on a very good Edmonton Bantam team.” Robson adds “Estephan was highly sought after and was highly ranked among other WHL clubs. He’s a great addition to our team and he has a very bright future with the Canes.”

The Hurricanes also had the 18^th pick in the first round – acquired when they traded Cam Braes to the Moose Jaw Warriors back for their 1^st round pick. With their selection the Canes added Defenceman Thomas Lenchyshyn from Steinbach, MB. Lenchyshyn is a big strong blueliner at 6’0 and 178 lbs., he had 14 points (5G, 9A) and 123 penalty minutes in 42 games with the Eastman Selects of the Midget AAA League. Hurricanes Assistant GM, Brad Robson says “he was highly sought after by a number of teams. He’s a big strong kid and the only kid in the draft to play and compete in the Midget AAA Hockey League. He had over 100 PIM’s and with his size, he will add to our defensive core.”

The 2012 WHL Bantam Draft kicked off Thursday morning (May 3^rd, 2012) at 8:30 AM MT from the Sundance Room at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary, AB. For the first time in franchise history, the Seattle Thunderbirds had the first overall pick and they used their pick to select Mathew Barzal of the Burnaby Winter Club.

The order of the second round and all other rounds will be the inverse order of final 2011-12 regular season standings. Lethbridge currently holds the 28^th overall pick in the second round and no picks in the 3^rd to due to the trade of Brandon Anderson to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Lethbridge holds the Tri City Americans (87^th overall) pick in the 4^th round which they acquired when they dealt Defenceman Derek Ryckman to the Ams back in October.

The 23^rd Annual WHL Bantam Draft results are being posted live on www.whl.ca and fans should note that this event will be webcast live – Check whl.ca for details. Draft summaries will be posted on the Hurricanes website at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com  after the first round, midway point and conclusion of the draft.