LaSalle's Declan McNally became the third area player in two years to be selected in the top 10 of the OHL Draft, as the Guelph Storm took the six-foot-six, 185-pound defenceman seventh overall. The Storm will host next season's Memorial Cup.
McNally's Reaction to Being Drafted
“It was awesome, especially getting picked by Guelph,” the 15-year-old McNally said. “It’s a world-class organization and they have the Memorial Cup and I can’t thank them enough for picking me.” The former Sun County Panther played last season for Don Mills and said he doesn’t expect his first-round status to change his approach to the game.
Other Local Players Selected
Wheatley's Brody Brown was next off the board, taken by the Sarnia Sting in the third round. The high-scoring winger is also a former Sun County prospect who played the past two seasons with Vaughan. Windsor Jr. Spitfires forward Roman Shtefan, son of former Windsor Spitfire Pavel Shtefan, went to the Barrie Colts in the fifth round. “I feel pretty good about going in the fifth round,” the 16-year-old Shtefan said. “I personally think I could have went higher or in the lower rounds, so I’m very grateful to be drafted in the fifth round. (The Colts) are a great organization and I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds took Belle River's Matthew Taylor in the ninth round. Another Sun County product, the 16-year-old forward spent last season with Ajax-Pickering. “I feel the draft was stressful, but exciting,” Taylor said. “When I heard my name called by the Sault, I was extremely happy. The Sault’s a top-notch organization and a great fit for me.”
Harrow's Beckett Jancevski, son of former NHLer Dan Jancevski, went to the Flint Firebirds in the 11th round, while his BioSteel U16 teammate, Windsor goalie Noah Spiteri, went to the Oshawa Generals in the 15th round. Jr. Spitfires forward Carter Trudell, whose father Brett Trudell played in the OHL, went to North Bay in the 12th round. Sun County's Kai Duquette became the lone area player to go to the Spitfires, taken in the 12th round. “Being from the area, the Spitfires have always been my favourite OHL team,” the 16-year-old Duquette said. “Being able to grow up watching them and now being drafted by them is amazing and, it doesn’t matter what round it was, we are all equal now and I’m ready to prove myself at camp.”
Essex County's Strong OHL Pipeline
The Essex County pipeline to the OHL remains strong, with eight local players selected in this year's draft, continuing a trend of area talent entering the league.
