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Two drafted into WHL

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Michal Holub (left) and Landyn Hickmott were both drafted last week into the Western Hockey League.

A pair of Mission Minor Hockey players were drafted into the Western Hockey League last week.

Michal Holub and Landyn Hickmott will be plying their trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds and the Saskatoon Blades, respectively, come next year.

The two have played together for the past three years, and Holub admitted to being surprised at getting drafted 49th overall in the third round.

“I was thinking fifth or sixth [round],” he said.

But he was certain he would be chosen as 16 teams had approached him before last Thursday’s draft.

The right winger said he’s pleased to be going to Seattle, which finished fifth in their conference last season, as its a bit closer to home and he likes the city.

Holub, who turned 15 on draft day, has NHL aspirations and has been playing the national sport for the past six years.

“I hit hard, I have decent hands, win the battles in the corners and have good energy,” said the six foot, 170-pound player about his best attributes.

Landyn Hickmott, the second of his family to take his game to the next level behind older brother Jordan, was the Blades top pick, as management used their first two picks for player trades.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “The team came first in the conference last year, and there are two players from the Canada World Junior team.”

The strong two-way forward stands 5’11” at 165 pounds and said he was prepared to go to any team, as getting drafted to any WHL team was going to involve moving.