WELLINGTON COUNTY – Five county natives took a step closer to their professional hockey dreams when their names were called during the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Under-18 Priority Selection draft on April 4.
Ethan Broderick of Belwood was selected in the first round, eighth overall, by the Erie Otters. Broderick, a 5’8” 159-pound defenceman recorded seven goals and 16 assists for the Guelph Gryphons Midget AAA squad in regular season play during the 2019-20 season.
He also had two goals and six assists in 10 playoff contests. He went pointless, but picked up two penalty minutes, in two games with the Elmira Sugar Kings of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL).
Rockwood’s Jackson Phillips, a centre for the Guelph Gryphons Midget AAA team, was selected by the Flint Firebirds in round three, 54th overall. Phillips scored 16 goals and picked up 14 assists last season. He added three points in 11 playoff games.
Waterloo Wolves Minor Midget goaltender Colin McKenzie of Elora was chosen in the eighth round, 160th overall, by the Ottawa 67s after posting a 1.67 goals against average in 18 regular season games.
McKenzie was even stingier in 14 playoff games last season, holding opposition shooters to just 1.36 goals per game.
Charlie McKenzie of Mount Forest, a defenceman with the Grey Bruce Highlander Minor Midget squad, was taken by the Owen Sound Attack in the 14th round of the draft, 270th overall. McKenzie recorded three goals and five assists in 32 regular season games with the Highlanders during the 2019-20 season. He also added three points in seven playoff contests.
Another Mount Forest native, Will Lewis, was also taken in the 14th round, 275th overall, by the Peterborough Petes. The winger scored five goals and 13 assists in 46 games with the Komoka Kings of the GOJHL this past season.
