More fuel for the Firebirds
Another day, another commitment. Flint Firebirds have signed another top prospect ahead of the 2019-2020 Ontario Hockey League season.
Forward Braeden Kressler, who was Flint’s second-round pick, 28th overall, at the 2019 OHL priority selections draft, has signed up to skate for the Firebirds.
“We are thrilled that Braeden and his family have committed to us,” relayed Flint general manager Barclay Branch. “Braeden is a highly-skilled, offensive skater who will play a significant role with our club.”
Kressler, who hails from Kitchener, Ontario, starred for the Mississauga Senators of the Greater Toronto Hockey League over the course of the 2018-2019 season.
A 5-foot-9, 155-pound center, Kressler led a mediocre Mississauga team in scoring with 27 goals, 35 assists, 62 points in 56 games.
Kressler heads to a Michigan-based Firebirds club that is seen as a team on the rise in the OHL.
“It’s more than exciting to be part of this organization,” said Kressler. “I’ve heard so much about (Flint head coach) Eric (Wellwood) and the rest of the staff and I couldn’t be more excited to learn and develop in Flint to get to the next level.
“I’ve learned that the Firebirds organization is the best fit for me of every place that I’ve been to around the league,” added Kressler, who was projected as a late first-round pick at the 2019 OHL draft but was still available when the Firebirds selected 28th overall in the second round.
“I was in shock at orientation camp how professional the facilities were and how much community support the Firebirds have,” concluded Kressler.
Earlier this week, Flint officially signed left winger Brennan Othmann, who was the Firebirds first-round pick, second overall, at the 2019 OHL priority selections draft.
The 5-foot-11, 158-pound Othmann, who hails from Pickering, Ontario, put up spectacular totals of 66 goals, 80 assists, 146 points in 72 regular season games with the Don Mills Flyers of the GTHL in 2018-2019.
Othmann then led Don Mills in scoring during the playoffs with 7 goals, 14 assists, 21 points in 13 games as the Flyers won the GTHL minor midget championship.
