One more local hockey player has been drafted to the NHL.
Elora’s Mitchell Hoelscher was chosen 17th in the sixth round (172nd overall) by the New Jersey Devils in the 2018 National Hockey League draft that took place in Texas on June 22 and 23.
Hoelscher, 18, played with the OHL’s Ottawa 67s for the 2017-18 season and was ranked 62nd on the 2018 Draft Prospect Rankings top North American skaters list.
He was watching the draft at home with his family in Elora when he received the call from his agent.
“Once he said it … I don’t think it really settled with me what really happened. It was really just an unbelievable feeling; words can’t describe [it],” he said. “Being a small-town kid from Elora and be drafted to the NHL is something pretty special.”
Paul Castron, New Jersey Devils director of amateur scouting, says the team likes Hoelscher’s “hockey sense, skill level and work ethic.”
“He’s real light and could fill out his frame a bit more, but he plays well on both sides of the puck, doesn’t cheat and competes hard,” Castron stated in a press release from the team.
“I think he’ll be even better next year and we’re looking forward to watching him grow over the next couple years.”
Hoelscher said he is excited about the Devils’ future.
“Obviously, I’ve got to put in a lot more work, but (it is) a great organization, great team. They’re young, and the future is really bright for the team,” he said.
A trade midway through last season helped Hoelscher see more ice time. He started the season on the fourth line, registering two goals and six assists through 37 games, before earning a spot on the second line and jumping to eight goals and 12 assists in 30 games.
“It gave me more of a role … I just started to get my confidence,” he said.
Hoelscher thanked the staff, team and his family for helping him throughout the past season.
“They’ve sacrificed a lot for me, so it’s just as important to them as it is to me,” he said.
