Four 2010 Draft Picks Commit to London Knights

LONDON, ONTARIO: London Knights General Manager Mark Hunter today announced that the team has signed Center Chris Tierney, Center Ryan Rupert, Left Winger Matt Rupert, and Center Brett Welychka. 

Tierney, 16, was selected by the London Knights in the 1st Round ( 19th Overall ) in the 2010 OHL Draft.  Tierney stands 6.00 and weighs 165 lbs.   Tierney had 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points in 57 games with the York Simcoe Exprss Minor Midgets.  Tierney is the son of Jim and Liz Tierney of Keswick, Ontario.

Ryan Rupert, 16, was selected by the London Knights in the 3rd Round in the 2010 OHL Draft.  He stands 5.08 and weighs 165 lbs and scored 36 goals and 48 assists for 84 points in 56 games with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets. 

Ryan’s twin brother Matt Rupert, 16, was selected by the London Knights in the 4th Round in the 2010 OHL Draft.  He stands 5.08 and weighs 160 lbs and scored 35 goals and 37 assists for 72 points in 49 games with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs Minor Midgets.  Ryan and Matt are the sons of Ron and Karen Rupert of Grand Bend, Ontario. 

Welychka, 16, was selected by the London Knights in the 5th Round in the 2010 OHL Draft.  Brett stands 5.10 and weighs 184 lbs.   Welychka had 33 goals and  55 assists for 88 points in 77 games with the London Jr. Knights Minor Midgets.  Brett is the son of Ed Welychka and Jan Robinson-Welychka of London, Ontario. 

All four players competed in the 2010 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament and will each join the London Knights for Training Camp in August 2010. 

CHRIS TIERNEY  
C    6.00 165 LBS   January 7, 1994  Keswick, Ontario
ACQUIRED: 1st Round Selection, 2010 Ontario Hockey League Draft
NHL STATUS: Eligible in 2012
YEAR      TEAM                               GP G  A   PTS PIM
2009-10 York Simcoe Express   57 35 55   90   28

RYAN RUPERT  
C    5.08 165 LBS   June 2, 1994  Grand Bend, Ontario
ACQUIRED: 3rd Round Selection, 2010 Ontario Hockey League Draft
NHL STATUS: Eligible in 2012
YEAR      TEAM                                 GP G   A   PTS PIM
2009-10 Elgin Middlesex Chiefs  56 36 48   84 100

MATT RUPERT  
C    5.08 165 LBS   June 2, 1994  Grand Bend, Ontario
ACQUIRED: 4th Round Selection, 2010 Ontario Hockey League Draft
NHL STATUS: Eligible in 2012
YEAR      TEAM                                 GP G   A   PTS PIM
2009-10 Elgin Middlesex Chiefs  49 35 37   72   74

BRETT WELYCHKA  
C    5.10 184 LBS   March 3, 1994  London, Ontario
ACQUIRED: 5th Round Selection, 2010 Ontario Hockey League Draft
NHL STATUS: Eligible in 2012
YEAR      TEAM                                                  GP G   A   PTS PIM
2009-10 London Jr. Knights Minor Midget  77 33 55    88   30

For more information please visit www.londonknights.com