Lucas Punkari
A pair of local hockey players were among the 302 skaters selected in the 2011 OHL priority selection on Saturday, which took place on the league’s website.
Thunder Bay Kings’ forward Jordan Larson was taken in the 12th round by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds while Muskie forward Colton Spicer was selected by the Sudbury Wolves a round later.
The last of five Kings to be selected in the draft, Larson led his team in scoring this past season with 43 goals and 43 assists.
Spicer, the first Fort High player to be taken in the OHL draft since Joe Basaraba was selected by the Erie Otters in the second round in 2008, had six goals and eight assists during NorWOSSA play this season as he helped the Muskies earn yet another all-Ontario berth.
Only six players were selected from the Hockey Northwestern Ontario region, with the highest draft pick being Thunder Bay Kings’ forward Dylan Mascarin, who was taken by the Plymouth Whalers in the fifth round.
The Barrie Colts had the first overall selection in this year’s draft, choosing 15-year old defenceman Aaron Ekblad from the Sun County Panthers.
Ekblad, a native of Belle River, was the only 1996-born player eligible for this year’s draft and was the first to being given exceptional status since John Tavares back in 2005.
