With The 14th Pick, The Tampa Bay Lightning Select Defenseman Cal Foote

With the 14th pick, GM Steve Yzerman selected defenseman Callan Foote from the WHL‘s Kelowna Rockets.

New #tblightning pick Cal Foote called it an unbelievable feeling. On dad Adam: "He taught me pretty much everything I know." pic.twitter.com/hP7U1uQIWW

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithNHL) June 24, 2017

Foote has an impressive pedigree, as he learned to play from watching his father, Colorado Avalanche blueliner Adam Foote. He’s a right-hander that the Lightning may be able to snag even if they trade back.

The Canadian-American is a physical force at 6’3″ 208 pounds. His hockey sense is off the charts and he makes big plays from the defensive zone. He is a defensive playmaker. Foote posted 57 points, including 51 assists, 41 penalty minutes and a +39 rating in 71 WHL. games in 2016-17.

With The 14th Pick, The Tampa Bay Lightning Select Defenseman Cal Foote — KELOWNA, BC – NOVEMBER 05: David Quenneville #19 of the Medicine Hat Tigers keeps his eye on the puck as he checks Cal Foote #25 of the Kelowna Rockets behind the net during the second period at Prospera Place on November 5, 2016, in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Future Considerations says:

Foote is very smooth on the ice… he has an incredibly long stick that he uses to consistently disrupt plays in every defensive scenario…an incredibly tough defenseman to beat in the defensive zone who is only going to get better.

ISS Hockey writes on Foote:

“Two-way defenseman with high hockey IQ in all three zones. Almost never out of position on a play.”

Jeff Marek of Sportsnet states:

“Will be a 12-year NHLer. A really solid, safe pick.”

Mike Morreale NHL.com on Foote:

“The 6-3, 213-pound son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote probably won’t be the physical presence his father was, but plays all situations and uses his smarts, reach and strength to contain his opponent and gain position.”

Dennis Schellenberg Hockey Prospectus:

“He is not afraid of playing physical and benefits from his big body and strength in battles. Possess decent shooting tools and is not only limited to a pure big and mean defender, but also distributes the puck smoothly and creates offense.”

Hi, Cal! ⚡️ #NHLDraft https://t.co/CJ8FwjGymP

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) June 24, 2017

By the numbers

Callan Foote

Born: December 13, 1998 (age 18), Englewood, CO

Height: 6′ 3″

Weight: 209 lbs

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Right

Rankings:

Ranked #14 by Hockeyprospect.com
Ranked #12 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #25 by Future Considerations
Ranked #30 by McKeen’s Hockey
Ranked #12 by NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters)
Ranked #20 by TSN/McKenzie

Statistics:

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
2010-2011	Colorado Thunderbirds	QC Int PW	4	0	0	0	2
2012-2013	Colorado Thunderbirds U14	Bantam	–	–	–	–	–
2013-2014	Colorado Thunderbirds U16	T1EHL U16	33	2	12	14	19
	Team Black	USA-S15	5	0	0	0	–
2014-2015	Colorado Thunderbirds U16	T1EHL U16	23	4	11	15	42
	Omaha Lancers	They seized	2	0	1	1	0
2015-2016	Kelowna Rockets	WHL	71	8	28	36	36
2016-2017	Kelowna Rockets	WHL	71	6	51	57	41
	WHL All-Stars	Jr Super Series	2	0	0	0	2