What a Knight for Chitaroni
Mason Chitaroni said he was hoping the London Knights would draft him. And the Soo Jr. Greyhounds defenseman got his wish at today’s Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Chitaroni, who notched six goals, 13 assists, 19 points in 38 games for the Jr. Greyhounds during the 2019-2020 Great North Midget Hockey League regular season, was picked by London in the fifth round, 99th overall, at today’s OHL priority selections draft.
A smooth, fast-skating defender, Chitaroni is the son of Terry Chitaroni, a hard-nosed forward who played four full OHL seasons with the Sudbury Wolves from 1988 to 1992.
A blue-chip defenseman and a potential steal as a fifth-rounder, Chitaroni said he talked to personnel from the OHL Knights at length before the draft.
“It was definitely my first choice of where I wanted to go,” a happy Chitaroni told Hockey News North. “I am so excited right now. It is amazing to be drafted by such a really good organization like London.”
Chitaroni said that shortly after he learned that London had drafted him, he received a call from Knights scout Steve Warner.
“He told me that they are happy to have been able to draft me … and I am just so happy to be a part of the London Knights now,” Chitaroni gushed.
The younger Chitaroni’s skating ability stands out, said his Jr. Greyhounds coach, Jamie Henderson.
“Mason can flat out skate with the best 2004 birth-year players anywhere. His all around game has grown tremendously since last summer and we have no doubts it will continue to improve over time as an OHL draft pick of the London Knights,” Henderson noted.