Otters on Priority Selection Clock
By Paul Krotz/OHL
When the 2012 OHL Priority Selection begins on Saturday April 7, the Erie Otters’ General Manager and Managing Partner Sherry Bassin will be the first voice to welcome a new minor midget star to the OHL.
Bassin and his scouting staff are among the 20 OHL member clubs that have been evaluating talent all season long and were out in full force throughout the heavily scouted OHL Cup Showcase Tournament in March.
“By the time you get to the OHL Cup, teams are already pretty confident in a player’s ability that you wouldn’t change your mind solely on this tournament,” Bassin said. “But seeing the kids one last time against the top competition is extremely important for choosing in the later rounds.”
The last time the Otters had the first overall pick they used it to select current Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly, a standout with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in 2007.
O’Reilly played just two seasons in the OHL picking up 118 points in 129 games before making the immediate jump to the NHL as an 18-year-old after being a second round pick of the Avalanche in 2009.
His tireless work ethic and ability to compete each and every shift is something both the Avs and Otters admired when selecting the native of Varna, ON, who also captained Team Ontario to a gold medal performance at the 2008 World Under-18 Hockey Challange in his OHL rookie season.
“You look for things that separate players from others. I like to study a player’s character on the ice and what impresses me is when you find special people above all else.”
The Otters have an exciting group of young talent in the post-O’Reilly era including rookie forward Stephen Harper, selected 12th overall last season, and hope to build a strong nucleus of players that can challenge for a championship, something they last celebrated in 2002.
“It’s not about whether or not these guys can play because all of these kids are talented, but it’s about finding players that will lead you to a championship.”
Erie Otters History of First Round Picks
2011 12 Stephan Harper LW
2010 11 Chris Marchese LW
2009 10 David Broll LW
2008 2 Greg McKegg C
2007 1 Ryan O’Reilly C
2006 4 Mitch Gaulton D
2005 10 Anthony Peluso RW
2004 11 Brett MacLean RW
2003 4 Ryan O’Marra C
2002 18 Michael Blunden C
2001 20 Noel Coultice D
2000 10 Brian Lee D
1999 9 Scott Rozendal RW
1998 12 Brad Boyes C
1997 6 Tim Connolly C
1996 8 Brett Gibson C
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