A Mapleton youth has been drafted by the Ontario Hockey League’s Peterborough Petes.
On April 7 the OHL conducted the 2018 Priority Selection Draft for North American players born in 2002.
Right winger Jackson Kirk of Alma was chosen by the Petes in the seventh round, 123rd overall.
Kirk, 16, scored 26 goals and 25 assists in 31 games with the Guelph Gryphons Minor Midget AAA squad in 2017-18. He has also played two games with the Guelph Hurricanes of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League this season.
Another Wellington County youth, Elora’s Christian Linton, was selected in the fourth round, 62nd overall, by the Flint Firebirds. Linton, a goaltender, also played this season for the Gryphons AAA Minor Midgets, recording a goals against average of 2.80 in 16 games.
A total of 300 players were selected in the 15-round process from 98 different teams across Ontario and the U.S. The selected players include 175 forwards, 92 defencemen, and 33 goaltenders.
“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.”
