Portage la Prairie's Ben McCartney was the 4th highest Manitoban drafted in this year's WHL Bantam Draft.

McCartney was grabbed in the second round by the Brandon Wheat Kings, 43rd overall. He talks about being selected by a team so close to home.

"It's great! It's close to home, and it would be unbelievable if some of my home fans from Portage, and my family could come out and watch me in the best junior league in Canada."

The 5'10, 152 pound centre registered 34 goals and 38 assists in 55 games with the Okanagan Hockey Academy this season. McCartney says this never would've happened without the amazing support from family and coaches.

"I'd like to thank my family, and my coaches. Mike Neill, and the coaches out here -- they helped me a long way -- and my Grandparents for moving out to Okanagan with me."

He talks about where he goes from here.

"Well I have to work on my strength, I need to put on a few pounds to play with the big guys out in the WHL. I'll be working out in the summer, and skating with a few friends."