Pitawanakwat to Paper Kings
Barrie Colts draft pick Ashton Pitawanakwat has signed with the Espanola Paper Kings of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, Hockey News North has confirmed.
A 2008 birth year forward, Pitawanakwat was picked by Barrie in the 14th round of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft from the Sudbury U16 Wolves of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League.
A medium size skater, Pitawanakwat was a force to be reckoned with for the U16 Wolves over the course of the 2023-2024 season with 27 goals, 22 assists, 49 points in 36 games.
In signing with Espanola, Paper Kings general manager Marc Gagnon is quite familiar with Pitawanakwat.
“I know exactly what the Paper Kings are getting as I saw Ashton play numerous times last season. Ashton will bring some more speed and a good set of hands. We are very pleased to bring another home grown local talent to Espanola,” Gagnon relayed to Hockey North North.
The signing of Pitawankwat marks the second high scoring, 2008 birth year forward — and OHL draft pick — from the U16 Wolves to ink an NOJHL card with Espanola this off season.
Earlier, and as first reported by Hockey News North, the Paper Kings signed Kaden Wicklander, who was snagged by the Brantford Bulldogs in the 11th round of the ’24 OHL priority selections draft. In 44 games with the U16 Wolves, regular season and playoffs included, during the ’23-24 season, Wicklander rang up 21 goals, 28 assists, 49 points.