BULLDOGS PICK 15 PLAYERS IN THE 2017 OHL PRIORITY SELECTION
The Hamilton Bulldogs took steps at setting up the club for the future by selecting 15 players in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection on Saturday.
With the 11th overall pick, the Bulldogs selected center Connor McMichael from the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. He had 72 points including 42 goals and 30 assists in 42 games. McMichael is 5”9 and 151 lbs and is a native of Ajax, On.
Bulldogs President and General Manager Steve Staios says they’re pleased to welcome Connor McMichael to the Bulldogs family. “McMichael is a player we have kept a close eye on for some time” said Staios. “He has Bulldogs type character and the skill-set that fits nicely with what we’re trying to accomplish”.
With their 2nd round pick, the Bulldogs selected LW Arthur Kailyev (26) from the Detroit Compuware U16. He had 13 goals and 5 assist good for 18 points. Kailyev is 6’1 171 lbs.
Liam Van Loon was the Bulldogs 3rd round pick (50). He had 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points last season with the London Knights Minor Midget AAA. He is 5’11 169 lbs.
The Bulldogs took their first defenseman in the Draft with their first pick in the 4th round (70). Xavier Henry is 6’4 and 178 lbs and played last season with the Toronto Titans Minor Midget AAA. He was a +2 in 4 games at the 2017 OHL Cup Showcase tournament.
With their second pick in the 4th round (71), the Bulldogs selected goalie Zachary Roy. He had a 5-2 record, 1.43 GAA and 0.956 SV% in 7 games with the Toronto Nationals Minor Midget AAA at the 2017 OHL Cup Showcase tournament.
In the 5th round (83) the Bulldogs took Navrin Mutter. The 6’1 178 lbs center had 10 goals, 12 assists in 29 games last season with the Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midget AAA.
With their second 5th round pick (91) the Bulldogs stayed local by selecting center Jordan Stock from the Hamilton Huskies Minor Midget AAA. In 32 games last season, Stock scored 16 goals and added 14 assists for 30 points.
Christopher Ishmael from the Brampton 45’s Minor Midgets was the Bulldogs 7th round pick (130). The 5’8, 139 lbs center put up 33 points including 13 goals last season.
With their 8th pick (141) the Bulldogs selected Jayden Jensen from the Detroit Belle Tire U16 team. The 6’3 195 lbs defenseman scored 7 goals and 17 points last season.
In the 9th round (170) the Bulldogs picked defenseman Ford Ondrovic from the Ottawa Senators Midget AAA. He’s 5’11 and 167 lbs and had 18 points last season.
The 210th pick overall came in the 11th round for the Bulldogs. Another local product, Zack Osborne, a right winger from Waterdown, a member of the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs this past season where he had 13 goals and 15 assists.
In the 12th round (229) the Bulldogs picked center Michael Mancinelli from the Detroit Honey Baked U16. The 5’9 155 lbs forward was almost a point a game player with 44 points in 49 games.
Defenseman Maxime Blanchard was selected in the 13th round (250). At 5’9 142 lbs, Blanchard recorded 13 points for the Southern Tier Admirals Minor Midgets this past season.
With their 14th round pick (270) the Bulldogs picked 5’10 148 lbs left winger Matthew Guglietti from the Vaughn Kings Minor Midgets AAA where he had 11 points in 33 games this past season.
The day finished up with the Bulldogs 15th and last pick. Left winger Aliesha Song from the Oakville Rangers Minor Midgets AAA. The 5’9 139 lbs forward played in 35 games this season recording 1 goal and 3 assists.
Up next for the Bulldogs and the class of 2017 rookies is the Rookie Evaluation Camp April 21-23.
For more information on 2017-18 Hamilton Bulldogs seasons tickets go to www.hamiltonbulldogs.com or call 905-529-8500.
