Three Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) players, all members of the Brooks Bandits, have been selected in the 2023 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft. Forward Hudson Malinoski led the way as the top Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) selection, drafted in the 5th round and 153rd overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defenceman Aiden Celebrini has been selected in 6th round and 171st overall by the Vancouver Canucks. CJHL MVP Aiden Fink has been selected in the 7th round at 218th overall to the Nashville Predators.
Malinoski (Saskatoon, SK) tallied 69 points (16G, 53A) in 44 games in the 2022-23 regular season, which was third amongst all AJHL Rookies. His 53 assists were second most in the AJHL, while he carried the highest points per game average amongst all AJHL first year players with 1.57. Hudson was a finalist for the AJHL Rookie of the Year Award, CJHL Top Rookie Award and represented Team Canada West at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge.
In 15 AJHL Playoff games, the centre had 7 points (3G, 4A), and added 10 points (4G, 6A) in 6 games at the 2023 Centennial Cup, helping the Bandits win their fourth National Championship.
Celebrini (North Vancouver, BC) dressed in 47 games during the 2022-23 season, tallying 21 points (5G, 16A). He finished 8th in AJHL Rookie Defencemen scoring and was named to Team Canada West at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge. In 15 AJHL Playoff games, he had three assists. He added one assist in 6 games at the 2023 Centennial Cup, helping the Bandits win their fourth National Championship.
Fink (Calgary, AB) was named the Canadian Junior Hockey League MVP, as well as the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Most Valuable Player and Top Forward. He paced the AJHL offensively with 97 points, with 41 goals and 56 assists, through 54 regular season contests. Through two years with the Bandits, Fink has 150 points to his credit, in 114 outings, on 60 tallies and 90 helpers.
Among his other achievements this season for the Penn State (NCAA Division I) commit was being selected to the Team Canada West roster that competed at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge and being chosen as the CJHL’s 1st Star of the Month for October.
The trio join Cale Makar (Colorado, 4th overall in 2017), Parker Foo (Chicago, 144th overall in 2017), Corson Ceulemans (Columbus, 25th overall in 2021), and Taylor Makar (Colorado, 220th overall in 2021) as Bandits to be drafted directly into the NHL.
Incoming Brooks Bandits recruit Sebastian Bradshaw was also selected in the 7th round of the 2023 National Hockey League Entry Draft, going 221st overall to the Dallas Stars.
