Top pick has Flint all fired up
Flint Firebirds have signed the player who was the undivided choice of the scouting staff to be their first round pick at the recent 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft.
Colę Żurawski, a 6 foot, 170 pound forward, was taken by Flint with the sixth pick of the first round from the Mississauga Rebels of the Greater Toronto Hockey League after scoring 21 goals, 26 assists, 47 points in 39 games in 2023-2024.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Zurawski said. “Ever since I got (to Flint) everybody has been so welcoming … the players, the coaches, the GM, everybody. (Flint is) a great city and I can’t wait to get started here and bring my physical game for the fans.”
Sault Ste. Marie resident Mike Oliverio, who is Flint’s head scout, said there was no wavering when it came to selecting Zurawski in the first round.
“This is the first time in my scouting career that our scouting staff was unanimous across the board at number one,” said Oliverio, whose scouting days in the OHL go back to when he was with the erstwhile Plymouth Whalers. “We all thought he was the best player in the draft and we were grateful that he was there at (sixth overall.)
“Cole fits the Flint Firebirds mold,” Oliverio continued. “He is very aggressive on pucks and has a lethal shot. (He is) a pure goal scorer. He brings grit and skill every night and he competes with pace.”
Firebirds general manager Dave McParlan also has zest for Zurawski.
“From the moment he arrived in town for our (recent) orientation camp we could tell this was going to be a good fit. Our fans are going to love watching him play and we can’t wait to see what he does in his rookie season,” said McParlan.