The Prince George Cougars secured part of their future Tuesday, announcing their top two 2013 draft picks have signed with the Western Hockey League club.
Third overall pick Josh Anderson and 24th overall pick Kody McDonald both signed standard contracts and are expected to attend training camp in August to get their first taste of major junior hockey a year before they're eligible to lace up for the team.
"We went into the draft looking to make ourselves a little bit bigger and tougher to play against," general manager Dallas Thompson said. "Both these players fit that, they're big boys, so we're exicted about that."
Anderson, a six-foot-three defenceman from Duncan, showed some offensive flair from the blue-line last season scoring 18 goals and 34 assists in 52 games with the Cowichan Valley Tier 1 Capitals.
"It feels good to be signed with the Prince George Cougars and I'm happy I made that decision," Anderson said in a news release. "I'm going to go to camp in the best shape I can be in, and make a good impression."
McDonald, a five-foot-11 forward from Lethbridge, Alta., is looking to bulk up before making his WHL camp debut.
"It's awesome. I'm really excited about my first training camp," McDonald said in a news release. "Now I've got to keep on the weights. I hope to impress the coaches and the staff."
The Cougars also announced that assistant coach Jason Becker has signed a contract extension. Athletic trainer Chico Singh Dhanjal will also be back with the club.
With two of his top prospects signed, Thompson has turned his attention to the CHL import draft set for July 3. The Cougars hold the fourth overall pick, which Thompson hopes will pay dividends.
"You can add a high-end guy and that's what we hope to do," he said. "This draft is little bit of a crap shoot, but we're prepared and have put in the time to see what we can get done."
The Cougars will open training camp on Aug. 23, with about 80 hopefuls expected to take the ice. The team will open its pre-season schedule on Aug. 31 in Edmonton against the Oil Kings. The full schedule will be unveiled sometime after the league's annual off-season meetings on June 11 and 12 in Vancouver.
