Knights and Bulls sign top draft prospects

The London Knights and Belleville Bulls announced that top prospects Scott Valentine and Andy Bathgate have committed to their hockey clubs this week.

Knights’ General Manager Mark Hunter announced that the team signed Valentine, a 16-year-old defenceman that was selected in the second Round at the 2007 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection from the Gloucester Minor Midgets. He will make his OHL debut tonight when the Knights face the Windsor Spitfires at the John Labatt Centre at 7:30 PM.

Bulls’ coach and GM George Burnett announced that the club signed Bathgate, their third round pick last May. The 16-year-old centre has been playing this season with the Georgetown Raiders in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League.

In 26 games played with Georgetown this season, Bathgate has scored eight times while adding 18 assists and 18 penalty minutes. Bathgate will join the Bulls during the holiday season before returning to Georgetown for the remainder of their regular season and playoffs. He will then rejoin the Bulls following the conclusion of the Raiders season.

“Andy is an outstanding skater and possesses a tremendous skill set that will make a great addition to the Bulls organization in both the short and long term,” Burnett said.

Bathgate will also make his debut tonight when the Bulls travel to Ottawa to face the 67’s.