DRAFT REWIND: ROUNDS 13 & 12
Erie, Pennsylvania – The 2022 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft is one week away, with the Erie Otters holding 15 picks over the 15 rounds – including the #2 overall pick. The upcoming Priority Selection Draft will be the 27th in team-history for the Otters; showcasing excellence in drafting in all rounds of the prior drafts.
This is day two of the next week’s review feature of all 15 rounds of the OHL Priority Selection for the Otters, looking back at the names selected and players who staked their claim in the Flagship City – concluding on Thursday, April 28 with the history of First Round selections for Erie.
Thursday went over the success of six players from Rounds 15 & 14 in the Otters history, including Daniel Murphy and Owen Headrick.
Today is a review of Rounds 13 & 12 of the draft. While these higher-round picks may not always be the most touted, scouted, or hyped up, a number of notable players made their way to the main roster from the final rounds – especially in the 13th. In the 2022 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Erie has three picks in Round 13 and one pick in Round 12.
Asterisks next to players name in the charts below will signify players who made the Otters regular season roster, and bolded will be spotlighted.
ROUND 13
| 1996 | #212 | Mark Meredith | F |
| 1997 | #222 | Bryan Fairfield | G |
| 1998 | #267 | Ryan Scott* | D |
| 1999 | #262 | Nick Mish* | G |
| 2000 | #256 | Steve Dix* | F |
| 2001 | #259 | Ryan Ward | F |
| 2001 | #260 | Chad Glode | F |
| 2004 | #242 | Justin Hodgman* | F |
| 2004 | #251 | Ryan Ludzik* | G |
| 2005 | #250 | Samuel Coyne* | F |
| 2006 | #244 | Shane Owen* | G |
| 2007 | #241 | Mike Cazzola* | F |
| 2008 | #243 | Andrew Fetter | D |
| 2009 | #250 | Mitch McIntosh* | F |
| 2010 | #251 | Connor Brown* | F |
| 2011 | #254 | Justin Maiolino* | F |
| 2012 | #244 | Bryan Sienerth | F |
| 2013 | #241 | Jack Scanlan | F |
| 2014 | #259 | Bailey Newton | D |
| 2015 | #259 | Adam Pys | D |
| 2016 | #261 | Maxim Golod* | F |
| 2017 | #260 | Marcus Gillard* | D |
| 2018 | #244 | Aidan Flynn | F |
| 2019 | #246 | Ryan Forberg | F |
| 2019 | #263 | Ethan Schoonderbeek | D |
| 2020 | #245 | Andrew Ballantyne | G |
| 2020 | #248 | William Haines | F |
| 2021 | #249 | Teegan Middleton | D |
| 2021 | #252 | Jack Erickson | D |
2022 PICKS:
- Three picks in Round 13
- Second pick in the 13th Round (their own)
- Fourth pick in the 13th Round (Niagara’s)
- Acquired in 2020 trade with Niagara
- NIA: Erie’s picks in Round 2,8 of 2022 Draft
- ER: Kyen Sopa, Niagara’s pick in Round 13 of 2022 Draft
- Acquired in 2020 trade with Niagara
- Pick to-be determined in the 13th Round (Flint’s)
- Acquired in 2022 trade with Flint
- FLNT: Alex Bradshaw (Erie’s pick in Round 12, 2020)
- ER: Flint’s pick in Round 13 of 2022 Draft
- Acquired in 2022 trade with Flint
QUICK FACTS:
- Erie has only not drafted in the 13th Round twice – 2002 & 2003
- Despite not having a 13th Round Pick in all 26 Drafts, the Otters have drafted 29 players this round.
- Of the 29 players, 16 were Forwards, eight were Defensemen, five were Goaltenders
- Of the 29 players, 25 have been Canadian-born, and four American-born
- Erie’s highest 13th Round Pick was Ryan Scott (1998, #267) and lowest pick was Mark Meredith (1996, #212).
- Ryan Scott went on to make the Otters roster
- Erie has had at least one 13th Round pick every year since 2004, with many years seeing two picks in the round.
- Of the 29 players, 16 were Forwards, eight were Defensemen, five were Goaltenders
- Perhaps no team has drafted the 13th Round as well as the Erie Otters – of the 29 all-time picks in the Round, 13 have been on the Otters main roster, and eight went on to play professional hockey.
- From 2004 to 2007, every 13th Round pick for Erie went on to play for the team in at least one game.
- 13 players drafted by Erie in the 13th went on to suit up in the regular season for the Otters – including two players from the same Draft Class:
- Ryan Scott (1998, #267 D)
- Nick Mish (1999, #262 G)
- Steve Dix (2000, #256 F)
- Justin Hodgman (2004, #242 F)
- Ryan Ludzik (2004, #251 G)
- Samuel Coyne (2005, #250 G)
- Shane Owen (2006, #244 G)
- Mike Cazzola (2007, #241 F)
- Mitch McIntosh (2009, #250 F)
- Connor Brown (2010, #251 F)
- Justin Maiolino (2011, #254 F)
- Maxim Golod (2016, #261 F)
- Marcus Gillard (2017, #260 D)
PRO RANKS:
- Eight of the players drafted by Erie in the 13th would go on to play professional hockey later in their careers
- Bryan Fairfield (1997, #222 G): 1998 with one team
- WPHL
- Fairfield never played for Erie, playing in the QMJHL for a season
- Steve Dix: 2004-07 with three teams
- ECHL, UHL, CHL
- Justin Hodgman: 2008-Present with 18 teams
- NHL (UDFA), KHL, AHL, DEL, ECHL, IHL, SM-Liiga, Liiga, Czechia, Erste Liga, SHL, EIHL
- Hodgman won the 2008, 2009, & 2010 Turner Cups (IHL) with Fort Wayne, and 2021 Hungarian Championship with Ferencvárosi TC in Erste Liga
- Ryan Ludzik: 2008-2010 with two teams
- IHL, CHL
- Shane Owen: 2010-Present with 19 teams
- AHL, ECHL, CHL, EIHL, EIHL Series, HockeyAllsvenskan, Poland, LNAH
- Mike Cazzola: 2016-2021 with five teams
- AHL, ECHL, EIHL, AlpsHL, Italy
- Connor Brown: 2014-Present with three teams
- NHL (Round 6, #156 to TOR), AHL
- 2021 IIHF World Champion with Canada
- Maxim Golod: 2020-Present with two teams
- AHL, ECHL
- Bryan Fairfield (1997, #222 G): 1998 with one team
CRACKING THE ROSTER:
- Ryan Scott – 1998, #267 (D)
- Scott was the first 13th Round Pick to ever play for the Erie Otters, playing in 15 career games with the team – all during the 1998-99 season.
- Scott would end his OHL career with zero points, four PIMs, and a -1.
- Scott was the first 13th Round Pick to ever play for the Erie Otters, playing in 15 career games with the team – all during the 1998-99 season.
- Nick Mish – 1999, #262 (G)
- Mish was the first goaltender from the 13th Round to be called up by Erie, doing so during the 1999-2000 season.
- Mish would never appear in a game for the Otters.
- Since the end of his playing career, Mish had worked in junior hockey in various coaching roles.
- Mish was the first goaltender from the 13th Round to be called up by Erie, doing so during the 1999-2000 season.
- Steve Dix – 2000, #256 (F)
- Dix was the first Forward from the 13th Round to play for the Erie Otters, appearing in 17 games in the 2001-02 season.
- Dix would end his Otters career with 37 PIMs and a -3.
- During the 2001-02 season, Dix would be traded to the North Bay Centennials, but finish his OHL career with the Saginaw Spirit.
- Overall, Dix would play three seasons in the OHL, scoring 23 points (7G+16A) in 142 games played.
- The North Bay, ON native would go on to play three seasons of professional hockey.
- Dix was the first Forward from the 13th Round to play for the Erie Otters, appearing in 17 games in the 2001-02 season.
- Justin Hodgman – 2004, #242 (F)
- Hodgman was the first 13th Round pick from the Erie Otters to score a point, and would play his entire four season OHL career with the team that drafted him.
- During his rookie season, Hodgman would play in 57 games, scoring 20 points (7G+13A).
- Hodgman would have a fantastic OHL career in Erie, scoring 217 points (87G+130A) in 254 games played.
- Hodgman would flirt with professional hockey during his Major Junior career, playing for the Fort Wayne Komets (IHL) after his third season in 2007-08 came to an end. He would play in 24 total games for the Turner Cup champion Komets.
- Hodgman would return to Fort Wayne after the conclusion of his final OHL season, once again winning a Turner Cup with the Komets in 2008-09.
- Hodgman was also named Bud Poile Trophy recipient in both these seasons as the Playoffs MVP
- He would also win the 2009-10 Turner Cup with Fort Wayne, in the final season of the IHL
- Since the end of his days in the OHL, the Brampton, ON native has played 14 years of professional hockey with 18 teams – even playing a handful of games in the NHL with the Arizona Coyotes.
- Hodgman’s professional career has included four championships in two different countries, a Silver Medal, and an appearance in the ECHL All-Star Game in 2018-19.
- Hodgman was the first 13th Round pick from the Erie Otters to score a point, and would play his entire four season OHL career with the team that drafted him.
- Ryan Ludzik – 2004, #251 (G)
- Ludzik would be the first goaltender taken in the 13th Round to appear in a game for the Erie Otters, and first to record a win for the team.
- In his OHL career, Ludzik would play in 29 games between the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons with Erie, picking up a 5.31 GAA, .855 SV%, and a 4-14-2 record
- After his time in the OHL, Ludzik would go on to play two seasons of professional hockey in the IHL and CHL.
- After retirement in 2009, Ludzik would serve as the Niagara IceDogs Goaltending Coach for four seasons.
- Samuel Coyne – 2005, #250 (F)
- Coyne would appear in one career game for the team that drafted him during the Otters’ 2007-08 season. He would finish with no marks on the scoresheet.
- After his junior career, Coyne would attend the University of Ottawa and Keyano College.
- Shane Owen 2006, #244 (G)
- Owen stands as the most successful goaltender for Erie from the 13th Round, playing three seasons for the club that drafted him from 2007 to 2010.
- Owen would appear in 60 games for the Otters over three seasons, grabbing a 4.67 GAA and .879 SV% with a 16-29-4 record. He would also appear in one playoff game for the team during his second season.
- Uniquely, Owen’s Major Junior career would finish in an opposing member of the CHL, the QMJHL, where he would play 45 games in two seasons for the Moncton Wildcats – including winning the QMJHL Championship with the team in 2009-10.
- After his time in the CHL came to a close, the Markham, ON native has played 12 seasons of professional hockey for 19 teams, and has won multiple individual honors as Goaltender/Player of the Week.
- Mike Cazzola – 2007, #241 (F)
- Cazzola was the first draftee from the 13th Round to serve in a captaincy role for the Erie Otters, wearing the A during his fourth of five seasons with the team.
- Cazzola would play parts of five years for the Otters, spanning from the 2007-08 season to the 2011-12 season.
- Cazzola would play in the OHL playoffs every season of his career, as well.
- The Guelph, ON native had a tremendous OHL career as a point-plus-per-game player. In five OHL seasons, Cazzola would grab 225 points (77G+148A) in 219 career games, plus another 24 points (8G+16A) in 34 playoff games for Erie/Ottawa.
- After parts of five seasons with Erie, Cazzola would finish out his OHL career in the Canadian capital, being traded to Ottawa during the 2011-12 season.
- After his time in the OHL came to an end, Cazzola would attend Acadia University, before playing five seasons of professional hockey between 2016 and 2021.
- Mitch McIntosh – 2009, #250 (F)
- McIntosh would appear in four career games for the team that drafted him during the 2009-10 season. He would finish with a -1.
- After his time in the OHL, McIntosh would have a solid career in the GOJHL.
- Connor Brown – 2010, #251 (F)
- The gold-standard of 13th Round picks, Otters legend Connor Brown would flip the script on importance of where a player is drafted.
- Brown would spend his three-season OHL career with the club that drafted him, serving as the Captain for the final two seasons in Major Junior.
- During his time with the Otters, Brown missed only five games, and was a career point-plus-per-game player.
- In his rookie season, Brown would dazzle with 53 points (25G+28A) in 68 games played.
- Named Captain during his sophomore season, Brown would grab 69 points (28G+41A) in 63 games.
- In his final season in the OHL, Brown would nearly be a two-point-per-game scorer, grabbing an incredible 128 points (45G+83A) in 68 games, and leading the Otters to a playoff run with 18 points (8G+10A) in 14 games.
- Brown would be drafted by Toronto in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at Round 6, #156.
- Toronto would assign Brown to their AHL affiliate for the 2014-15 season, but would be an everyday NHLer from that season on.
- Brown has played eight seasons of professional hockey since 2014, and currently serves as the Alternate Captain of the Ottawa Senators.
- A member of the 25th Anniversary Otters Legends Card Set, Brown still holds the title of highest-scoring player taken in Round 13 by Erie.
- Justin Maiolino – 2011, #254 (F)
- Maiolino would appear in two career games for the team that drafted him during the 2011-12 season. He would finish with a -2.
- After his time in the OHL, Maiolino would enjoy a solid career in the OJHL, before attending the University of Calgary and York University.
- Maxim Golod – 2016, #261 (F)
- Golod is another example of the absolute diamonds in the rough hiding in the late rounds, as he would go on to have a terrific, productive, albeit shortened career with the Erie Otters.
- The Toronto native would play in 178 games for the Otters, scoring 146 points (54G+92A) for the club.
- Golod would be the third player drafted in the 13th Round to be named to a captaincy role, serving as the Otters’ Alternate Captain in his final season in 2019-20.
- In this same season, Golod would grab a point-plus-per-game 78 points (25G+53A) in 63 games.
- After his OHL career was cut short due to the pandemic, Golod has spent the last two seasons as a professional hockey player in the Anaheim Ducks system, signing with the club as a UDFA.
- Marcus Gillard – 2017, #260 (D)
- Gillard is the latest 13th Round pick by the Erie Otters to make the roster, playing in 56 games during the 2018-19 season. Gillard would score nine points (0G+9A) in the season with 25 PIMs.
- Gillard’s career would be cut short due to injury, making the 2018-19 season his last in hockey
- Gillard was most recently in attendance for the Otters’ 25th Anniversary Celebration.
- Gillard is the latest 13th Round pick by the Erie Otters to make the roster, playing in 56 games during the 2018-19 season. Gillard would score nine points (0G+9A) in the season with 25 PIMs.
The tutelage of the legacy of 13th Round picks for Erie speaks for itself. Round 13 is always one of high interest for the Otters late on the final day of the Priority Selection Draft. With an all-time three picks in this edition of the Draft, a player taken in 2022 is sure to crack the lineup for the future Otters.
ROUND 12
| 1996 | #195 | Justin Collins | F |
| 1997 | #204 | Nick Schrader | F |
| 1998 | #247 | Derek Panzer | F |
| 1999 | #237 | Justin Depretis | F |
| 1999 | #242 | Jesse Thompson | D |
| 2000 | #236 | Matt Clifford | D |
| 2001 | #240 | Oren Eizenman | F |
| 2002 | #238 | Kyle O’Boyle | D |
| 2003 | #225 | Josh Disher* | G |
| 2004 | #231 | Brad Reck | F |
| 2005 | #230 | Kyle Ramsay* | D |
| 2006 | #224 | Bobby Shea | D |
| 2007 | #221 | Mark Bennett | F |
| 2008 | #223 | Matt Solomon | D |
| 2009 | #230 | Johnny McGuire* | F |
| 2010 | #231 | Chad Bednar | D |
| 2011 | #234 | Troy Saunders | D |
| 2013 | #221 | Frankie Pucci* | F |
| 2014 | #239 | Holdyn Lansink | F |
| 2015 | #239 | Anand Oberoi* | G |
| 2016 | #240 | Tyler Orban | D |
| 2016 | #241 | Matthew Bazarin | F |
| 2017 | #239 | Mark Cooper | D |
| 2017 | #240 | Curtis Trolley | F |
| 2018 | #224 | Aidan Campbell* | G |
| 2019 | #226 | Cole Melady | F |
| 2020 | #228 | Alex Bradshaw | F |
| 2021 | #230 | Andrew McIsaac | F |
2022 PICKS:
- One pick in Round 12
- With Erie picking #2 Overall, they will have the second pick in the 12th Round
QUICK FACTS:
- Erie has only not drafted in the 12th Round once – 2012
- Despite not having a 12th Round pick in all 26 Drafts, the Otters have drafted 28 players this round.
- Of the 28 players, 15 were Forwards, 10 were Defensemen, three were Goaltenders
- Of the 28 players, 22 have been Canadian-born, and six American-born
- Of the 28 players, 15 were Forwards, 10 were Defensemen, three were Goaltenders
- Erie’s highest 12th Round pick was Derek Panzer (1998, #247) and lowest pick was Justin Collins (1996, #195)
- Every Goaltender drafted in the 12th Round by Erie has gone on to play for the Otters in their career.
- Six players drafted by Erie in the 12th went on to suit up in the regular season for the Otters – including all three Goaltenders:
- Josh Disher (2003, #225 G)
- Kyle Ramsay (2005, #230 D)
- Johnny McGuire (2009, #230 F)
- Frankie Pucci (2013, #221 F)
- Anand Oberoi (2015, #239 G)
- Aidan Campbell (2018, #224 G)
PRO RANKS:
Six of the players drafted by Erie in the 12th would go on to play professional hockey later in their careers
- Justin Depretis (1999, #237 F): 2006-09 with six teams
- ECHL, CHL, MAHL, IHL
- Depretis never played for Erie, instead electing to play ACHA at Penn State U.
- Oren Eizenman (2001, #240 F): 2007-2013 with 12 teams
- AHL, ECHL, Asia League
- Eizenman never played for Erie, instead electing to play NCAA
- Josh Disher: 2006 with two teams
- AHL, ECHL
- Bobby Shea (2006, #224 D): 2013-2020 with 11 teams
- AHL, KHL, ECHL, VHL
- Shea never played for Erie, instead electing to play NCAA
- Interestingly, Shea played for the Hamilton Bulldogs when they were still an AHL team
- Mark Bennett (2007, #221 F): 2015-2019 with six teams
- ECHL, SPHL, Erste Liga
- Bennett never played for Erie, instead electing to play NCAA
- Johnny McGuire: 2013-15 with three teams
- AHL, ECHL
CRACKING THE ROSTER:
- Josh Disher (2003, #225 G)
- Disher was the first player ever drafted in the 12th Round by the Erie Otters to hit the ice, playing three seasons for the club.
- Disher’s name is still held in the records book for the Erie Otters, owning the distinction of winningest rookie-goaltender with 26 wins in his first year
- He was challenged this season by Otters’ rookie netminder Nolan Lalonde, who finished his first season with 24 wins.
- After this debut season, Disher was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft at Round 6, #185.
- Disher lead the entire OHL in shutouts during his rookie season with five.
- The Oakville, ON native played his entire, terrific OHL career with Erie, appearing in 168 games for eight shutouts, a .903 SV%, 3.11 GAA, and a 72-73-12 record.
- Disher also appeared in 15 playoff games for Erie, with a 3.13 GAA, .909 SV%, and 6-9 record.
- After his time in the OHL came to an end, Disher would play three professional hockey games, before attending Dalhousie University.
- Kyle Ramsay (2005, #230 D)
- Ramsay would be the first skater from the 12th Round to play for the Erie Otters, playing parts of two season for the team that drafted him.
- The Pickering, ON native would be the first 12th Round pick to score a goal and point for the Otters, doing so during his 2006-07 season with the team.
- Ramsay would finish his OHL career with two points (1G+1A) in 20 career games.
- He would go on to have a steady junior career in the OJHL.
- Johnny McGuire (2009, #230 F)
- McGuire would be the first Forward from the 12th Round to play for the Erie Otters.
- He holds the claim as highest-scorer from Erie’s 12th Round picks
- McGuire would play parts of three seasons with the Otters from 2011-2013, appearing in 98 games for the team with six points (4G+2A).
- The Lindsay, ON native would be traded in the last-half of his final OHL season to the Oshawa Generals, where he would play 21 games with an assist.
- McGuire is to-date the only 12th Round pick from Erie to score in a professional hockey game, having two goals in his 38 game AHL/ECHL career.
- McGuire would be the first Forward from the 12th Round to play for the Erie Otters.
- Frankie Pucci (2013, #221 F)
- Pucci would appear in two career games for the team that drafted him during the Otters’ 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. He would finish with no marks on the scoresheet.
- Pucci would finish his OHL career with the Soo Greyhounds, playing in two games for the club.
- After his junior career, Pucci would attend Brock University.
- Anand Oberoi (2015, #239 G)
- Oberoi was the second goaltender drafted by Erie in the 12th Round, and consequently the second 12th Round goaltender to play for the Otters.
- Oberoi would play 28 games in parts of two seasons for Erie in his OHL career.
- While the Kanata, ON native wouldn’t have as illustrious of a career as the goaltender before him in Disher, he’d make his mark in the 2017-18 season.
- In his last OHL season, Oberoi would play in 28 games with a shutout, 3.88 GAA, .875 SV%, and a 10-9-4 record.
- After his junior career, Oberoi would attend the University of Ottawa
- Aidan Campbell (2018, #224 G)
- Campbell was the last player drafted in the 12th Round to play for the Erie Otters, and currently is a rostered player for the Otters heading into his Overage season.
- Campbell is a ‘local boy’ too, from Cranberry Twp., PA
- Campbell played in 26 games in his shortened rookie season of 2019-20, graabing a shutout, 3.65 GAA, and .872 SV% with a 10-8-5 record.
- Robbed by circumstance from the pandemic and a near season-ending injury in the 2021-22 preseason, Campbell’s skill and ability is second only to his tenacity
- Campbell was anticipated to be the everyday starter in 2021-22, but had to have surgery and rehabilitation after a preseason injury. Expected to miss the whole season, he made his return in March 2022 with a 4-1 win over the Guelph Storm.
- Heading into his OA season, Campbell has played in 31 games with a shutout, .872 SV%, and 3.59 GAA for an 11-11-15 record.
- All eyes will be on Campbell in the 2022-23 season, as he’ll be part of a one-two punch goaltending tandem with Nolan Lalonde
- Campbell was the last player drafted in the 12th Round to play for the Erie Otters, and currently is a rostered player for the Otters heading into his Overage season.
Round 12 has truly been the Goaltender Round for the Erie Otters late in the draft, going 3/3 on drafted goalies to make the roster.
Between the 12th and 13th Rounds, Erie has found an incredible 19 players who appeared on the regular season and/or post-season roster – including notable names of Josh Disher, Mike Cazzola, Connor Brown, Maxim Golod, and Aidan Campbell from the last few drafts. Who will be the next late round pick to join the annals of Otters late-round history? With the 2022 OHL Priority Selection on April 29 & 30, time will tell.
Erie currently has 15 picks in the 2022 Priority Selection Draft, with two on day one (1st Round 2nd Overall, 2nd Round [SOO]), and 13 on day two (4th [NIAG conditional], 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, three in 13th [FLNT, NIAG], 14th, 15th). Draft Picks are subject to change leading up to the day of the Draft.
Keep up with all the Otters picks and results on OttersHockey.com or across the Otters’ social media. For all results of the 2022 Priority Selection, please head to OntarioHockeyLeague.com.
For the latest Otters news, visit OttersHockey.com, or follow the team on Facebook (Facebook.com/erieottershockey), Twitter (@ErieOtters), and Instagram (@ErieOtters).
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected].
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