Flint inks another draft pick
Flint Firebirds have signed a fourth prospect from the 2023 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft. Right hand shot defenseman Jack D’Arcy has committed to the Firebirds. D’Arcy was Flint’s sixth round pick at the ’23 draft.
Incoming Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan noted that “we believe (D’Arcy) is going to be a great addition to our team … and we look forward to being a part of his development as a player and a person.”
Meanwhile, Firebirds head scout Mike Oliverio, who is a Sault Ste. Marie resident, gave his take on D’Arcy.
“Jack has a lot of upside potential with a very high ceiling. Our staff feels he can be a valuable component on the power play. He has a strong hockey IQ and good vision as well as good decision making ability,” Oliverio relayed.
The 5-foot-9, 145 pound defender played for the AAA Under 16 Cambridge Hawks in 2022-2023 and regular season and playoffs included, D’Arcy came through with six goals, 12 assists, 18 points in 38 games.
“It feels awesome (committing to Flint),” said D’Arcy. “Growing up, I always dreamed of playing in the OHL, so it is just a really great feeling.
“I think of myself as a two-way player,” D’Arcy continued. “Defense of course, comes first but if I can, I am going to jump into the rush and try o add some offense to the game as well.”
D’Arcy becomes the fourth skater — and first defenseman — from Flint’s ’23 OHL priority selections draft class to commit to the Firebirds. The others, as previously reported by Hockey News North, are forwards Jeremy Martin, Jimmy Lombardi, and Max Anderson.
SAULT LINK TO FLINT
As the Firebirds head scout, the aforementioned Mike Oliverio stayed in his Sault Ste. Marie back yard to take three different position players from the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League at the ’23 OHL priority selections draft.
Lanky goalie Nathan Maguire went to Flint in the sixth round, high scoring forward Brendan Cooke was the Firebirds eighth round pick and hulking defenseman Rylan Fellinger got the nod from Oliverio in the 13th round.
• Playing on a first place U18 Jr. Greyhounds team, Maguire had a rather good regular season as evidenced by a 1.69 goals against average and four shutouts on a powerhouse Soo squad that did not permit many shots on goal. He then saw action in only one of the Jr. Greyhounds five games at the league’s playoff championship tournament and posted a shutout. Without Maguire in the net, the Jr. Greyhounds were upset by the North Bay U18 Trappers in the championship game.
• Hailing from the small Highway 17 town of Thessalon, Cooke connected for 19 goals, 18 assists, 37 points in 28 regular season games for the Jr. Greyhounds before exploding for nine goals, six assists, 15 points in five playoff outings.
• Regular season and playoffs included for the Jr. Greyhounds in 2022-2023, Fellinger found range for two goals, 18 assists, 20 points in 31 games.