Firebirds are three for three
The new-direction Flint Firebirds now have their top three picks from the 2016 Ontario Hockey League draft under wraps.
Firebirds general manager George Burnett has confirmed that Flint’s second of two second-round picks from this year’s draft has committed to the team for the 2016-2017 campaign.
Puck-moving defenseman Dennis Busby has become the latest high selection from the 2016 draft to commit to Flint. Busby was selected by Flint in the second round, 23rd overall and joins forwards Ty Dellandrea (first round, fifth overall) and Hunter Holmes (second round, 22nd overall) as the top three picks from the 2016 draft who have all committed to the Firebirds for the ’16-17 campaign.
Busby said that any prior concerns that he and his family had about playing in Flint have been dispelled.
“It’s a surreal feeling for my family and I right now,” said Busby. “You hear a lot of different things about Flint but it’s completely different in person. The city and fan support is incredible and the facilities are something special.”
Getting a commitment from Busby capped a busy Friday for Burnett, a 25-year veteran of the OHL coach-management ranks who was hired as the Firebirds GM in May.
Besides bringing Busby aboard, Burnett completed a trade with the Mississauga Steelheads that delivered overage forward Everett Clark — who scored 15 goals in 2015-2016 — to the Firebirds.
Hey , interesting 6th round pick by the Rangers. Goalie Tyler Wall. Played Tier 2 last year. Raymaakers the “heir apparent” to Halverson not drafted. What to do if your Kyle Raftis?