Rockets select Madden Daneault first overall

“Obviously, it was a little crazy, but obviously very cool,” Daneault told Dave Dawson of the season. “Not every team gets to experience a 34-0 season. Winning a major tournament at the start of the year gave us a whole bunch of confidence to keep it rolling throughout the whole year.”

Despite the offensive explosion, Daneault says his approach has always centred around team play.

“We put team first here in Red Deer,” he said. “If I battle every day in practice and make my teammates better, it’ll elevate my game at the end of the day.”

Daneault’s season included breaking a scoring record previously held by former WHL star Tyler Benson.

“After Christmas, I really started to pick it up,” Daneault explained. “Going into the last two games, I needed like 12 points. I had a nine-point game in Medicine Hat and then a four-point game in Lethbridge, and capped it off with the record. It was pretty cool.”

Family, he says, has been central to his development.

“It means everything,” Daneault said. “Everyone’s so supportive here. Even my brothers are cheering me on every game and texting me after games.”

His father also spent the season on the bench as part of the coaching staff.

“It’s very special,” Daneault said. “Might be his last year this year, so it was a very cool season to cap off with him.”

Heading into the draft, Daneault was involved in a highly-discussed battle for the number one spot alongside fellow top prospect Parker McMillan.

“Obviously it’s cool being talked about going number one. That’s every kid’s dream when they’re young,” Daneault said before the draft. “But it’s just going to come down to what Kelowna wants.”

Now, the Rockets have made their decision.

And for the first time since 1991, the franchise believes the future starts with the first overall pick.

by Regan Bartel

Rockets select Madden Daneault first overall

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