Knights of the north

Ontario Hockey League powerhouse London Knights have gone to the often-overlooked Great North Midget Hockey League two years in a row now to take a player within the first five rounds of the annual priority selections draft.

At the recent 2020 OHL priority selections draft, London came away with a potential steal in the fifth round, 99th overall, when the Knights nabbed slick defenseman Mason Chitaroni from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds.

A year ago, London went to the Great North in the second round to take center/left winger Max McCue from the Sudbury Minor Wolves with the 34th overall pick of the 2019 OHL draft.

As is the norm when it comes to developing rookies on the Knight shift, always-contending London took its time with McCue over the course of the 2019-2020 OHL season.

McCue got into just 34 games with the Knights this past season and produced modest totals of two goals, four assists, six points.

But what is worth noting is how the 6-foot, 165-pound McCue finished the 2019-2020 season with the Knights.

That is, of the 2-4-6 totals that McCue managed in the 34 games that he dressed for with London, he netted two goals, two assists, four points over eight outings between January 19 and March 1 of this year.

Of note, London has a long-time northern Ontario scout that Knights management obviously listens to in Steve Warner, who is based in Sudbury and does his homework on the kids of the Great North.

Last year, Warner gave the thumbs up to McCue. This year, Warner delivered Chitaroni.

They are Knights of the north.

PHOTO: Great North Midget Hockey League grad Max McCue of the London Knights celebrates his first OHL goal in a January 19, 2020 game against the Erie Otters. (Photo by Postmedia.)