OHL draft is Saturday
Sarnia Sting, by virtue of having the worst record during the 2013-2014 regular season, will have the first overall pick at Saturday’s annual Ontario Hockey League draft.
The draft begins at 9 a.m. and will be conducted over the Internet.
From a local standpoint, Soo Greyhounds hold the 17th pick in the first round.
While Sarnia has yet to announce who it will take with the No. 1 pick, speculation is that it will be defenceman Jakob Chychrun of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
Scouts are calling the 6-foot-2, 200 pound Chychrun “a franchise-level defender, one who has the ability to impact a game in all three zones.”
Of note, Chychrun, hails from Florida.
Besides Chychrun, others expected to go among the top five selections are centre Adam Mascherin of the Vaughan Kings, centre Michael McLeod of the Toronto Marlies, centre Tye Felhaber of the Ottawa Valley Titans and centre Brandon Saigeon of the Hamilton Bulldogs.
As for Greyhounds and who they could get with the 17th pick of the first round:
Players who could be available to the Hounds include Mississauga Senators centre Michael Pezzetta, Toronto Marlies winger Taylor Raddysh, Windsor Jr. Spitfires centre Anthony Salinitri and a pair from Detroit HoneyBaked — winger Max Jones and centre Nick Pastujov.
the rumor is that the Sting will pass on Chychrun because his camp has balked at reporting. They are leery of the ownership group and how they’ve run the team. So look for them to draft Mascherin unless there are changes in Sarnia.
Bad rumour. Sarnia announced this morning that it will take Chychrun with the no 1 pick at Saturday’s draft and that the kid will play for the Sting in 2014-2015.
Hey Randy. Tough first game loss for the Hounds. In the playoff previews, at least one commentator has given high praise for the Soo scouting staff. What are your views on the job that the Greyhounds have been doing in the past couple of drafts?
David
Hi David,
To be sure the Hounds have drafted well the past few years — and well beyond the first round where the choices are not nearly as obvious.
For example, defenceman Tyler Ganly (fifth round), forwards David Miller (sixth round), Michael Bunting (ninth round).