The Barrie Colts added some size and skill to their organization today with the addition of a goalie, a defenceman and an offensive winger.
The Ontario Hockey League conducted its fourth annual Under-18 Priority Selection on Wednesday for midget 'AAA' hockey players in the province.
Eligibility for the online draft included all midget players (2002 and 2003 birth years) not currently on an OHL team's protected list who were carded with an Ontario-based midget 'AAA' club within the Ontario Hockey Federation, Hockey Eastern Ontario or Hockey Northwestern Ontario in the current season.
With their first pick, ninth overall, the Colts chose big goaltender Benjamin Bonisteel from the Niagara North Stars midget 'AAA' team. The Pelham native, who stands six-foot-two and weighs 208 pounds, had a 1.36 goals-against average in six playoff games this past season in the OMHA's South Central 'AAA' League.
Angus native Jordan Fuller, a left-winger with the York-Simcoe Express midget 'AAA' team, was drafted 29th overall by the Colts. Listed at five-foot-seven and 154 pounds, Fuller had three goals and six assists in seven playoffs this past season with the Express, who play in the OMHA's Eastern 'AAA' League. He also averaged more than a point-a-game during the regular season, with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points in 21 games.
The Colts also selected towering defenceman Jack Sparkes from the Don Mills Flyers. He's listed at just under six-foot-eight and weighs 193 pounds. He had a goal and six assists in 33 regular-season games last season with the Flyers, as well as 52 penalty minutes.
Several players from around the Simcoe County area were also chosen by OHL teams in the under-18 draft.
Orillia native Wade Monague, a goaltender from the North Central Predators midget 'AAA' team, was selected 21st overall by the North Bay Battalion.
Right-winger Nicholas Dowling, a Gravenhurst native who also from the Predators, was taken 27th overall by the Mississauga Steelheads.
Midland native Ian Phillips, a left-winger with the Preds, who selected 55th overall by the Saginaw Spirit.
When all was said and done, 56 players were selected from 34 different teams, including 30 forwards, 16 goaltenders and 10 defencemen.
For the first time in the under-18 draft, a forward was selected with the first-overall pick. Oakville Rangers winger Kevin Henstock was taken by the North Bay Battalion.
