EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips today announced the signing of defenseman and 2014 first-round draft pick Jantzen Leslie to a Western Hockey League Educational Contract. Leslie joins his bantam teammate Bryce Kindopp, a third-round pick of the Silvertips, as the first two players from Everett’s 2014 WHL Bantam Draft class to sign with the club. Both 1999-born prospects are expected to play at the midget level this season before they are eligible to play in the WHL full-time during the 2015-16 season.

“We’re excited about Jantzen both as a player and as a person, so we’re very happy that he and his family have made a commitment to our program,” said General Manager Garry Davidson. “He’s a versatile defenseman with good hockey sense who comes from a winning program. He also brings a great deal of character and leadership ability, something that he already demonstrated in training camp even as a young guy.”

Leslie, 15, was selected 15th overall in the bantam draft after serving as captain of the Alberta AAA Bantam champion Lloydminster Heat last season. The 6-foot, 170-pound blueliner scored 15 goals and compiled 40 points along with 63 penalty minutes in 30 regular season games as Lloydminster rolled to a 31-1-1 record.

The team and individual success carried over into the postseason, where the Heat finished 10-1 on their way to the title with Leslie posting 12 playoff points (2g/10a). In the Western Canadian Bantam AAA Championships, Leslie notched four goals and five points as Lloydminster advanced to the title game before falling in double overtime to take the Silver Medal.

“The atmosphere has been amazing during my first camp and all the coaches and players have been great,” said Leslie. “I was planning to come here anyway and now that I’ve gotten to Everett, I don’t want to be anywhere else. My goal is to play in the WHL at 16 and I’m already extremely excited to come back for camp next year. I plan to bring the grit and heart the Silvertips are known for, and I hope someday to lead this team.”

The WHL Scholarship encourages graduates to pursue a post-secondary education while also affording them the opportunity to continue playing hockey at an elite level in the Canadian University or College systems. For every season a player spends in the WHL, he receives a full year guaranteed Scholarship to a higher education institution. Each year over 300 WHL graduates attend a university or college on a WHL Scholarship.

Everett opens the exhibition season by hosting the rest of the U.S. Division and the Victoria Royals for the 11th annual Holiday Inn Preseason Classic over Labor Day weekend at Comcast Arena. The Silvertips are in action at 7:00 pm each evening during the tournament, which features a total of nine games from Aug. 29-31.

For more information visit www.EverettSilvertips.com, call the team office at 425-252-5100, “like” the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club on Facebook or follow @WHLSilvertips on Twitter.