Three Sting Players Selected in 2021 NHL Entry Draft
Three members of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club were selected by National Hockey League teams through the NHL Entry Draft yesterday.
The two-day NHL Entry Draft began with Round 1 held on Friday, July 23rd, and wrapped up as Rounds 2 through 7 were completed yesterday.
Goaltender Ben Gaudreau was the first member of the Sting to be selected as he was added by the San Jose Sharks at 81st-overall using a third-round pick that was acquired by the club via trade earlier in the afternoon. Gaudreau’s selection follows a strong 2019-20 OHL rookie season and an impressive gold-medal showing at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championships held in May. Through 5 games played on route to an international championship, the Corbeil, Ontario native went undefeated in the Canadian net, recording a .919 save percentage and goals against average of just 2.20 in the process.
Sting General Manager Dylan Seca comments on the Sharks selection:
“We were all very impressed with Ben’s play at the World Under 18 tournament, where he helped lead Team Canada to a gold medal. Based on that performance there was a good indication that he would go in the upper part of the Draft. We’re excited for Ben and his family. It’s a huge accomplishment. San Jose is a team known for its player development and we look forward to working with them to help Ben pursue his goal of being an NHL player.”
Ben Gaudreau is headed to the Shark Tank 🦈✈️ #2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/5p8HibWREO
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) July 24, 2021
#SJSharks add goalie Benjamin Gaudreau with the 81st overall pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft. pic.twitter.com/eSiB9luVaa
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 24, 2021
Dream come true! Can’t wait to get started, extremely honoured and happy to be part of the @SanJoseSharks organization!🦈 pic.twitter.com/Atxqj5cwqB
— Ben Gaudreau (@BenGaudreau03) July 24, 2021
Forward Ty Voit was then selected in the fifth-round by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 153rd-overall. The fast and highly skilled 5’10” forward from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania impressed many with his work ethic and puck-handling abilities while recording 8 goals and 28 points in 48 games as a rookie during the 2019-20 OHL season.
“Ty’s skill and hockey sense made him a player highly coveted. The Maple Leafs have an excellent player development program, which will help both Ty and the Sting organization. Congratulations to Ty and the Voit family.” adds Seca.
🇺🇸➡️🇨🇦@TyVoit is headed to the @MapleLeafs #2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/SToGuEHGX2
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) July 24, 2021
The newest member of Leafs Nation: Ty Voit #NHLDraft | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/NdK5g3gpHR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 24, 2021
🔵⚪️ #StingFootprint #NHLDraft2021 pic.twitter.com/oIvfNSdUZY
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) July 24, 2021
With the 181st-overall selection in the sixth-round of the Draft, the Boston Bruins added Defenceman Ryan Mast. The smooth skating 6’4”, 215-pound native of Bloomfield, Michigan was a significant contributor on the Sting blueline during his first OHL season as he tallied a goal and 11 points through 58 games of the 2019-20 regular season.
“It’s such a huge accomplishment to get drafted to the National Hockey League. I know Ryan and his family are thrilled. Ryan fits the Bruins style, he’s versatile, has range and very good hockey sense. We look forward to working with Ryan and the Bruins on his development.” explains Seca.
Staying in black and yellow!
Congratulations to Ryan Mast on being selected by the @NHLBruins!#2021NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/3h6WY4hgOn
— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) July 24, 2021
With the 181st overall pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the #NHLBruins select defenseman Ryan Mast.
Welcome to Boston, @ryanmast14! pic.twitter.com/Ra7hvBcp0f
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 24, 2021
On the results of the NHL Entry Draft and upcoming 2021-22 hockey season, Seca adds:
“We had several other draft eligible players not get selected. We feel had the OHL season been able to go, these players would have also seen their names go. We look forward to working with all of them and the 2022 draft eligible players on pursuing their dream of playing in the NHL.”
The Sarnia Sting eagerly await the beginning of the 2021-22 OHL season, set to kick off on October 7, 2021, when the Sting visit the Windsor Spitfires at 7:30pm and will be announcing 2021 Training Camp details shortly.
