Two local hockey players have been drafted to the Ontario Hockey League.
On April 7, The OHL conducted the 2018 OHL Priority Selection for North American players born in 2002.
Salem’s Christian Linton was selected second in the fourth round, 62nd overall, by the Flint Firebirds. Linton is a goaltender and last played with the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midget AAA team.
Also from the Minor Midget AAA Gryphons is right winger Jackson Kirk from Alma. Kirk was chosen by the Peterborough Petes in the 7th round, 123rd overall.
A total of 300 players were selected in the 15-round draft from 98 different teams across Ontario and parts of the United States.
The selected players include 175 forwards, 92 defencemen and 33 goaltenders.
While 292 of the players chosen were 2002-born athletes, also eligible for selection were non-overage players not carded with an Ontario-based Midget AAA team from protected OHL territories. Five players born in 2001, and three players born in 2000 were chosen under this criteria.
“Congratulations to all 300 players chosen in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection and for the hard work that got you to this point,” said Darrell Woodley, director of OHL central scouting.
“Being selected by an OHL team is an accomplishment to celebrate and share with family, friends, coaches, and teammates that helped provide support and encouragement along the way. It’s also just the beginning of your next challenge where it doesn’t matter what number you were picked, it’s what you do on the ice that really counts.
“This motivation also applies to players not selected today who can still find opportunities for success in hockey with the right attitude and work ethic. Best of luck to all players in your hockey and academic goals.”
