Four players commit to Battalion

(Photo Credit: Kyle Jackson, Harrison Caines – Tom Martineau)

North Bay, ON – The North Bay Battalion has received commitments from four players ahead of the 2018-19 season including forwards Harrison Caines, Kyle Jackson, Egor Postnov and defenceman David Maier.

Postnov and Maier were the club’s first and second round selections in the 2018 CHL Import Draft while Jackson was a third round pick this past April and Caines was a ninth round pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection.

A native of Moscow, Russia, Postnov was the 27th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft and skated with Kapitan Stupino of Russia’s top junior circuit last season. In 63 games, the 18-year-old produced 17 goals, 12 assists and 29 points. The 6-foot, 180Ib. left-winger wasn’t selected in the 2018 NHL Draft but was ranked as the 79th European skater on NHL Central Scouting’s Final Draft Rankings.

Maier hails from Klagenfurt, Austria and was the 87th overall pick of the 2018 CHL Import Draft. He spent last season between the U18 and U20 ranks of Sweden’s junior elite circuit as a member of Sodertalje SK. In 22 games of U18 action Maier put up four goals, 18 assists and 22 points with a plus-25 plus/minus rating. He was pointless in 11 games at the U20 level. The 6-foot, 175Ib. right shot defenceman represented his native Austria on the world stage in both U18 and U20 competition.

Ottawa native Kyle Jackson spent the 2017-18 season with the GTHL’s Toronto Red Wings, collecting 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points over 35 games. He registered a goal and four assists in five games at the 2018 OHL Gold Cup in Kitchener, helping guide Team GTHL Blue to a gold medal finish. A 6-foot-1, 178Ib. left-winger, Jackson was the 49th overall pick of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection.

A Troops draftee out of the Toronto Titans Minor Midget program, Harrison Caines spent last season between the Toronto Nationals Midget AAA club and the Aurora Tigers of the OJHL. The 5-foot-11, 169Ib. Stouffville native helped the Nats reach the Telus Cup, registering four goals in seven games at the annual Midget AAA Championship. He suited up in five games at the Jr. A level with Aurora.

The Battalion broke camp with 26 players on the roster Wednesday afternoon and prepare for this weekend’s Pre-Season in Showcase where they’ll compete alongside the host Kitchener Rangers, Saginaw Spirit and the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.

For more information visit battalionhockey.com.