Despite a lack of action this past season due to COVID restrictions, four players from Northwestern Ontario made the cut and were drafted Saturday in the Ontario Hockey League 2021 Priority Selection.
All come from the Thunder Bay Kings.
Owen Voortman was first as he was drafted by the London Knights in the 11th round going 216th.
The 15 year old centre is listed as 6’0, 170 pounds and played four games with the Under-16 Kings in Superior International Junior Hockey League exhibition play.
He didn’t record a point and had four penalty minutes.
Lucca Ricciardi was next as the Sudbury Wolves called his name in the 12th round at 239.
Ricciardi is a 15 year old centre and stands at 6’0, 172 pounds.
He also played four games in the SIJHL with the Kings and racked up eight penalty minutes and no points.
Two players from Thunder Bay went in the 15th round.
Kolton Bourret was selected 290th by the North Bay Battalion while the Soo Greyhounds picked E.J. Paddington 298th.
Bourret is a big 16 year old goalie at 6’3, 179 pounds.
He played three games with the Kings in the SIJHL in 2020.
Bourret posted a 6.72 goals against average and a .819 save percentage with two losses.
Paddington is a 16 year old left winger and is 6’1, 174 pounds.
He had a goal and an assist and two penalty minutes in four games with the Kings in the SIJHL.
Paddington comes from the Neebing Flames hockey program.
The draft was also historic as goaltender Taya Currie was picked in the 14th round by the Sarnia Sting, becoming the first female athlete ever chosen in the OHL.
