With their first round selection (18^th overall) in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, the Prince George Cougars are thrilled to select forward Tyson Phare (Maple Ridge, B.C.).

The 2002-born forward is a right-handed shot, and checks in at 5’11” and 180 pounds. In 28 games this season with the CSSBHL’s Yale Hockey Academy Lions Phare registered 18 goals along with 22 assists for 40 points while adding 56 penalty minutes. During the John Reid Bantam Tournament held in January in St. Albert, AB Phare posted six goals and seven assists for 13 points in six games.

“Tyson Phare is a big bodied forward who controls the play down low offensively and can get to the front of the net to score goals. He competes hard, skates well and is reliable in all three areas of the ice,” said Cougars General Manager, Todd Harkins. “He is going to compliment our forward group very well in the seasons to come, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Tyson and the Phare family to the Prince George Cougars organization.”

“It’s an incredible honor to join the Prince George Cougars,” said Tyson Phare who mentions Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf as his favorite player, and the type of player that he tries to mold his game around. “Getting drafted is just the first step for me though. It’s going to be a lot of hard work over the next few months to get bigger, put on some weight and make sure I’m ready to have the best Training Camp possible.”

Previous first round draft picks for the Prince George Cougars include:

• Taylor Gauthier (G – 9^th Overall, 2016)
• Jackson Leppard (F – 8^th Overall, 2015)
• Justin Almeida (F – 5^th Overall, 2014)
• Josh Anderson (D – 3^rd Overall, 2013)
• Jansen Harkins (F – 2^nd Overall, 2012)
• Brad Morrison (F – 7^th Overall, 2012)

The Prince George Cougars next scheduled selection is in the third round (62^nd Overall).