Loftus becomes lofty pick
KINGSTON, Ont. — The North Bay Battalion made goaltender Owen Loftus of the Don Mills Flyers U16s its first-round pick Friday night in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, held at Slush Puppie Place, home of the Kingston Frontenacs, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
It marked a return of the Priority Selection to a live, in-arena format after 25 years of being conducted via the Internet.
Loftus was taken with the 11th selection in the 15-round process in which North Bay has a total of 17 picks. The second through 14th rounds are to be held starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
In 50 games last season, Loftus had a 2.00 goals-against average with nine shutouts while posting a won-lost-other record of 25-15-10, with the last number made up of ties and tournament overtime losses.
A Toronto resident who measures six-foot-one and 163 pounds and who turned 16 on April 29, Loftus said he had no firm expectations entering the process.
“I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest,” said the first goaltender taken in the first round in franchise history. “I think you could say I was surprised to be picked anywhere.”
Having had discussions with several clubs, once the Battalion made its choice, Loftus was fully on board.
“I talked to a few, probably 10. I love North Bay. North Bay were great. They’ve got such a good organization, such a good group of people. Honestly, the whole O is built with great organizations and great people, so getting picked to any of these teams, particularly North Bay, is just a huge honour for me.”
Adam Dennis, Battalion president and director hockey of operations, introduced alternate governor Charles Abbott to make the selection. Among others, including OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford, they were joined on stage by Battalion alumni Jay McClement, Ty Nelson and Dom DiVincentiis, a goaltender with whom Loftus had a later chat.
The process can be followed online at www.ontariohockeyleague.com, is being streamed live on OHL Live and can be seen across Ontario on YourTV, Rogers TV and Eastlink community stations.
Players registered in Ontario and a number of U.S. states in the OHL’s draw area, primarily those born in 2010 but extending to 2007, are eligible to be chosen.
The Oshawa Generals took centre Kane Cloutier of the Vaughan Kings U16s with the No. 1 pick. Oshawa won a weighted lottery among the four non-playoff teams.
