Skip to content

Two Burnaby skaters claimed in NHL draft

Burnaby Winter Club's Mathew Barzal went in the first round to the New York Islanders

Two Burnaby hockey players had smiles that were a tad wider than usual this weekend.

Nineteen-year-old Spokane Chiefs forward Adam Helewka and 18-year-old centre Marcus Vela, from the B.C. Hockey League Langley Rivermen were both picked up by the San Jose Sharks at the NHL entry draft in Sunrise, Florida on Saturday.

Marcus Vela
Marcus Vela was taken in the seventh round by the San Jose Sharks at the NHL draft. - courtesy Langley Rivermen

Helewka, a third-year left winger with the Western Hockey League Chiefs, was taken in the fourth round 106th overall by the Sharks.

The South Burnaby skater went undrafted in the major junior draft and was also bypassed in last year’s NHL lottery as a first-year eligible player.

But the former Chiefs rookie of the year nearly doubled his sophomore numbers last season, finishing eighth in overall scoring with 44 goals and 87 points to lead Spokane in scoring.

The 6-1, 200-pound winger also tied a franchise record nine-game goal streak, while becoming just the eighth Chief since 1995 to score more than 40 goals in a single season.

“The Spokane Chiefs are very excited for Adam,” said Chiefs’ general manager Tim Speltz in a club press release. “He has worked very hard to improve his game for the next level and has the size and skill to be a pro.”

Vela, in just his second season of junior A, went in the seventh round with San Jose’s 190th pick.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Vela, a day after the draft. “It’s a pretty cool feeling and a great organization. It’s an honour.”

The 6-1, 205-pound centreman will spend Sunday with his family before preparing for the long work ahead this summer and beyond.

Vela will enter the University of New Hampshire as a true freshman this fall after posting 20 goals and 26 assists with Langley last season. The Burnaby Minor product played for Team Canada at the Junior A Challenge and in the Canadian Junior Hockey League prospect game last season.

“I guess they (San Jose) liked me,” Vela added. “Definitely, we can’t all be top-line players, but being drafted definitely is a first step towards that dream. (When I saw I had been selected) I had a smile for ear to ear.”

Mathew Barzal
Burnaby Winter Club product Mathew Barzal was taken in the first round of the NHL draft by the New York Islanders. - courtesy Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

Burnaby Winter Club product Mathew Barzal was selected in the first round by the New York Islanders following a deal that sent former Northwest Giants defenceman Griffin Reinhart to the Edmonton Oilers for the 16th overall pick.

Another former major midget Giant, centre Jansen Harkins, a projected 15th overall pick by NHL Central Scouting, dropped to 47th overall before being taken by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.

Concensus No. 1 pick Connor McDavid, to no one’s surprise, was claimed first overall by the Edmonton Oilers. Boston University centre Jack Eichel was taken No. 2 overall by the Buffalo Sabres.