Being selected on draft day is a dream for any young athlete. Kindersley born goaltender Seth Gutenberg started playing U15 AA hockey in 2022-23 after moving to Saskatoon, and turned his puck dreams into reality during last Thursday's 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.
Gutenberg was selected in the ninth round by the Red Deer Rebels. The young netminder's work over the past two years in a Saskatoon Stallions, and then Saskatoon Outlaws sweater helped him earn the opportunity at the next level.
"It was definitely the experience I have been waiting for, for a really long time," said Gutenberg. "It's always been a dream of mine to get drafted into the WHL. I think it's a lot of guys dream at my age. Everyone wants to play WHL, play the highest level of hockey they can, and getting drafted on Thursday was a really exciting feeling. Felt like a step in the right direction, got my foot in the door, and now I just have to work to try and get into the WHL." said Gutenberg, adding that he will be attending rookie camp with the Rebels later this fall.
Red Deer's scouting team is excited to have Gutenberg in the pipeline.
‘He has a high ceiling. He’ll play U18 in Warman next year, one of the few goalies in his age group who will play U18. We like our stable of goalies so if we were picking a goalie late we’d shoot for the moon.”
Gutenberg now has his first full year of U18 AAA hockey ahead of him with the Warman Wildcats. He talked about developing his game at the AA level, and what the next focus will be moving on from U15.
"The shots increase more, so the base development was just learning to react to shots that are harder." began Gutenberg. "The second part would be just learning how to play the game. Making the game easier. It's learning to be a goalie, instead of learning how to make saves. Transitioning from just getting in front of the puck; to doing it methodically, properly. Doing it with proper technique and making your life easier." he said, aiming for continued growth in the crease.
Gutenberg signed on with the Wildcats earlier this spring (Photos via Dean Gutenberg)The next step will be performing at the AAA level. Becoming a Warman Wildcat was another dream for Gutenberg.
"Warman has been a big dream of mine as well. I have worked really hard and I believe that I can make an impact on Warman." he said, excited to get things going with his teammates, coaches, and more. "Just excited for the season to start up. I feel like we can make a good run, have a great season and hopefully go win a championship."
Signing with Warman and then subsequently being selected in the WHL Draft has sparked some extra attention from back home. Gutenberg talked about support coming out of west-central Saskatchewan despite a few years of city-living.
"Family of course, family is the biggest part. Grandparents that make the trip to Saskatoon to watch me every once in a while." he shared.
Other people interested in following along have been able to, thanks to strong support from Seth's proud dad, Dean Gutenberg.
"Also a lot of family friends there. People that have followed through my dad posting stuff. Lots of people have congratulated me recently, and it's meant a lot to see all those names from back home commenting on his post about me getting drafted." he said.
Gutenberg has come a long way from being the bat boy of the Kindersley Cubs, just one of the Kindersley groups cheering him on from a far.
"Lots of people we know that have been following through his Instagram and stuff like that. Watching me grow up, showing support all the way through. Been nice to know there are some people back home that still follow me. Still care, and (want to) watch where I'm going."
Seth and his parents after officially signing with WarmanRead more below, as Gutenberg joined Lucky Lake's Jake Hargrave, and Oyen's Jude Martin as west-central connected players picked in this year's WHL Draft.
Wed, Jul 17, 7:30 PM
