Tyson Phare is officially in the fold.
Phare, a six-foot, 180-pound forward from Maple Ridge, was the first-round pick of the Prince George Cougars in the 2017 Western Hockey League bantam draft, held earlier this month in Calgary. On Tuesday, the Cougars announced they have signed him to a standard WHL player agreement.
The Cats chose Phare 18th overall. In 28 games with the Yale Hockey Academy Lions last season, he had 18 goals and 40 points.
"Heading into the 2017 draft we identified Tyson Phare as the type of player who could be a cornerstone of our franchise for many years to come," said Cougars general manager Todd Harkins in a media release. "When he was still available for us to draft with the 18th pick, it was a no-brainer for us. He's an exceptionally well-rounded player who skates well, competes hard in all areas of the ice and has great finish around the net. He doesn't back down. He gives his best every single time he takes the ice.
"Our entire organization is excited about the future and all that lies ahead and having Tyson and his family committed to the Cougars marks another significant moment for our franchise," Harkins added.
Last week, B.C. Hockey listed Phare as one of 60 players invited to attend its male Under-16 provincial camp, July 11-16 in Shawnigan Lake. From the camp, 20 players will be selected to Team B.C. for the 2017 Western Branch Challenge, which will also feature all-star clubs from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
In total, six of the Cougars' 2017 draft picks have earned invitations to Under-16 provincial camps. Three will join Phare at the B.C. gathering and two will try to make Team Saskatchewan. The other B.C. players are defencemen Brody Gagno (sixth round, 113th overall), Gabe Shipley (sixth round, 128th overall) and Mathew Magrath (ninth round, 194th overall). Magrath is a Prince George resident who skated for the Farr Fabricating bantam Tier 1 Cougars last season. The two Cougars' prospects from Saskatchewan are forwards Stanley Cooley (third round, 62nd overall) and Boston Maxwell (fourth round, 84th overall).
The Western Branch Challenge is scheduled for late October in Calgary.
