PITTSBURGH --
The 2012 National Hockey League Draft has wrapped up in Pittsburgh, and once again the Saginaw Spirit and the Ontario Hockey League were prominent in the outcome. Three members of the Spirit heard their names called on day two of the selection process, as forwards Justin Kea went to the Buffalo Sabres in the third round, 73rd overall, while Garret Ross was chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round, in the 139th spot. Like Ross, goaltender Jake Paterson was also taken by an Original Six team as he was tabbed as the 80th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in round three.
Last year at the NHL Draft staged in Minnesota, the Spirit saw five of its 2011-12 roster players selected with Brandon Saad (Chicago), Vincent Trocheck (Florida), Josh Shalla (Nashville), Anthony Camara (Boston) and Jamie Oleksiak (Dallas) all chosen.
Overall, the OHL saw 48 of its players selected in this year’s two day process, with eleven of those selections coming in the first round, led by Sarnia Sting forward Nail Yakupov, who went to the Edmonton Oilers as the top pick.
As far as the drafted players for the Spirit go, naturally there was plenty of excitement and emotion attached to hearing their names called by an NHL program. Kea, who joins former Saginaw defenseman Nick Crawford as a prospect for the Sabres, gives Buffalo requisite NHL size and solid skating for the future. He says being happy about the selection is an understatement. “When I saw that was chosen I felt like I went first overall I was so pleased.”
Paterson, who cemented his place in the draft with a tremendous playoff performance against Sarnia and London, heads to Hockeytown and goes to the team he considers his favorite. Speaking to the Detroit media through the Red Wings website, Paterson was thrilled to throw on the famous red and white jersey. “It’s a surreal experience for sure. I was a Wings fan growing up, and to be picked by the Wings is an unbelievable feeling right now.” The Mississauga, Ontario native is the first Spirit goaltender to be taken in the draft since Eddie Pasquale went to the then Atlanta Thrashers in 2009.
Ross follows in the footsteps of former teammate Josh Shalla, in being selected after his initial year of eligibility. After a 25 goal season combined with his gritty play on the ice, the Michigan native admits he did not know how to react to the selection. Ross says there will be a certain extra comfort level when he attends his first pro camp as a drafted player. “Brandon Saad and I are very good friends, and I believe having him there at the Chicago Camp will give me a good comfort level, and help me relax.”
Since 2009, the Spirit have had 16 roster players drafted at the NHL level, with Team President Craig Goslin saluting the latest three members of the that club. “I’m proud of the guys selected this year in Pittsburgh, and certainly having Jake taken by the Red Wings adds a little extra spark to the upcoming outdoor game at Comerica Park.”
