Saginaw goes Wilde
Call it a walk on the Wilde side. Two years after choosing Bode Wilde in the second round of the 2016 Ontario Hockey League draft, the Saginaw Spirit has signed the 2000 birth-year defenseman.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Wilde was a second round pick of the New York Islanders at the 2018 National Hockey League draft. He has spent the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program.
Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill, who rolled the dice on Wilde two years, confirmed the signing of the towering defender, who had originally planned on playing at the University of Michigan.
“When we drafted Bode in the second round two years ago, we had hoped this day would come. Now that it has, we could not be more thrilled as an organization,” Drinkill relayed.
The Saginaw GM feels as though Wilde will develop into a top OHL defenseman.
“We are going to do everything we can for Bode to reach that potential,” said Drinkill. “He brings a combination of size, physicality, strong skating and offensive ability to us. His ceiling as a player is very high.”
Wilde gave his take on finally signing an OHL card with the Spirit.
“I am super excited to be playing in the OHL, especially for the Saginaw Spirit,” said Wilde. “After meeting Dave (Drinkill), the ownership group and the coaching staff, I think it was an easy decision. The city of Saginaw, the OHL schedule and everything that goes into being a member of the Spirit is going to be very good for me these next few years.”