Holmes is for the Hounds
First came the selection. Then came the signing. Soo Greyhounds have inked their first-round pick from the 2019 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Defenseman Jacob Holmes, who the Soo took with the 18th overall pick of this year’s OHL priority selections draft, has formally committed to the Greyhounds ahead of the 2019-2020 season.
Hailing from Alliston, Ont., Holmes captained the York Simcoe Express of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, Eastern Toronto Area in 2018-2019.
Greyhounds general manager Kyle Raftis took note of the considerable ability that Holmes has.
“Jacob possess many qualities we look for in a defensemen,” Raftis began. “He has impressed us with his ability to skate pucks out of trouble while exiting the zone. He is a player that possess high hockey IQ and is able to add offense by moving pucks in transition and with the ability to attack from the blue line.
“We are excited to see what Jacob can add to our defence this coming season and we look forward to working along side him,” Raftis added.
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Holmes played in 33 regular season games for York Simcoe in 2018-2019 and totaled 7 goals, 10 assists, 17 points.
Holmes, from his end, is looking forward to the start of his OHL career.
“I am excited to develop as a player and as a person in Sault Ste Marie and I am very proud to be a Soo Greyhound,” Holmes relayed.
