IceDogs Complete OHL Draft Weekend with 16 New Additions
For the first time, the OHL Priority Selection took place over two days – June 4th and 5th.
On Friday night, the IceDogs welcomed the first four newest additions to the prospect pool.
65th Overall – Connor Haynes, Centreman
The 6’01, 187lb dual citizen (Canada/United States), last dressed with the Markham Majors of the GTHL. In 33 games, in 2019-20, Haynes scored 16 goals. He finished the season with 26 points.
“In a normal year I honestly believe Haynes doesn’t get out of the second round and the same goes for Wismer.” – General Manager Burke
I like this pick at 65 for the @OHLIceDogs with Connor Haynes! Had the the chance to talk with him for the @TheU16Pod and great all around game, with leadership abilities and a great person off the ice! #OHLDraft2021
— Connor Williams (@cwilliams_384) June 5, 2021
The @OHLIceDogs add Markham Majors star forward Connor Haynes with the 65th overall pick.
Did a ton of the heavy lifting on both ends for the Majors last season, the heart and soul of that Majors team. #OHLDraft
— Raine Hernandez (@BringerOfRaine) June 5, 2021
85th Overall – Jax Wismer, Defenceman
Wismer, a 5’09 left defenceman, played the 2019-20 season with the York-Simcoe Express. An offensive defender, he collected 21 assists (24 points) in 35 games.
Love the defenceman picked at 85 by @OHLIceDogs in Jax Wismer. Played with YSE in U15, Wismer a smooth skating mobile defenceman who can move the puck up ice with a pass but also loves to carry the puck up himself when he can. #OHLDraft2021
— Connor Williams (@cwilliams_384) June 5, 2021
105th Overall – Cole Bishop, Left Wing
Bishop, a Tennessee native, played an abridged 2020-21 season with the Detroit Honeybaked 15s program alongside IceDogs 2nd round selection Juan Copeland.
The cousin of Bryce McConnell-Barker, who was the fourth overall pick in last year’s OHL Draft by the world famous Soo Greyhounds https://t.co/Ovnjcm4FV0
— Lucas Punkari (@lpunkari) June 5, 2021
112nd Overall – Zachary Schulz, Defenceman
The 6’01 defenceman from Michigan played the 2019-20 season with the Detroit Honeybaked 15s with fellow 2021 picks by the IceDogs, Juan Copeland and Cole Bishop. In 17 games played last season, he had 6 goals, 8 points. Schulz wore the captain’s C last season with Honeybaked.
The @OHLIceDogs have a trio of @HoneyBakedHC players through 6 rounds here. Really getting that team chemistry going. Last year they took a couple JRC teammates in Pano Fimis and Brice Cooke. Excited to hopefully get back to the Meridian next year, while I’m at school!
— Connor Williams (@cwilliams_384) June 5, 2021
134th Overall – Giacomo Martino, Left Wing
Martino is a pure goal scorer who played the 2019-20 season with Vaughan Kings alongside IceDogs 3rd round select Andrew Wycisk. In 34 games last season, Martino had 22 goals (29 assists).
I see Giacomo Martino was picked while I was live. 134th to @OHLIceDogs. Great shot, a pure goal-scorer type with a shoot-first attitude. 5’9 so on the smaller side, and not really an elite skater, but has great offensive capabilities so shouldn’t be an issue. #OHLDraft #OHL
— Caitlin Berry (@caitlinsports) June 5, 2021
145th Overall – Anselmo Rego, Centre
Rego, a 170lb centre, played the 2019-20 season alongside IceDogs second-round selection Joey Costanzo with the Toronto Marlboros. The Woodbridge, ON native averaged over a point-per-game last season, with 32 points in 30 games.
Make that 12 @TorontoMarlboro gone with Anselmo Rego going to @OHLIceDogs at 145. Rego played with Vaughan in U15 and has shown to be strong on his feet, skilled with the puck and exhibits poise with the puck.
— Connor Williams (@cwilliams_384) June 5, 2021
174th Overall – Matthew Lee, Centre
Local to Fort Erie, Lee brings strong offensive instincts and the ability to finish. In 29 games with the CIH Voyageurs U15 AAA, he had 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists)
185th Overall – Adamo Zingaro, Right Defence
In 30 games with the Mississauga Reps in 2019-20, the 6’04 defender from Toronto had 10 points.
212th Overall – Alex Laurenza, Centre
The Woodbridge, ON native is described for having strong shot accuracy. Laurenza, the 5’09 centre, had 28 points (13G, 15A) in 32 games with the Jr. Canadiens in 2019-20.
@OHLIceDogs are getting a steal at #212 in Alex Laurenza. Surprised he fell to the 11th round. Laurenza is a dangerous player around the net and possesses pinpoint accuracy.
— David Ciss (@David_Ciss) June 5, 2021
225th Overall – Christian Mitsis, Left Defence
A strong defender, Mitsis was tough to play against for the Toronto Red Wings in 2019-20.
With their most recent pick, the @OHLIceDogs select Christian Mitsis from the Toronto Red Wings.
Here’s what he had to say on what he could bring to the team: “They can expect a reliable, skilled and deceptive defenseman that can exceed at both ends of the ice.”#OHLDraft2021
— Raine Hernandez (@BringerOfRaine) June 5, 2021
265th Overall – Matteo Porporino, Goaltender
Porporino most recently represented the Toronto Red Wings U16 AAA.
294th Overall – Dawson Lukey, Centre/Left Wing
And the @OHLIceDogs take another local player…as #StCatharines born Dawson Lukey becomes their final pick of the #OHLDraft
— Rod Mawhood (@rmawhood) June 5, 2021
“I believe 4 years from now people will look back at this draft as a franchise-changing weekend for the better, and people won’t believe the calibre of these players we got we were able to get them.” – General Manager Burke
