Spirit Opt For Size, Strength in 2004 OHL Draft
May 1, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
The Saginaw Spirit drafted for size in the 2004 Ontario Hockey League Prioirty Selection. Of the 15 players Saginaw selected Saturday, ten were 6'0" or taller, and five were 6'2" or taller.
The Spirit drafted 10 forwards, four defensemen and a goalie. The Spirit drafted three players from Michigan and 12 from Ontario. Saginaw also traded a 15th round, 2004 pick to the Windsor Spitfires for Windsor's 15th round pick in 2005, just before the trading deadline Friday afternoon.
Spirit head scout Dan Halliburton says size and strength was a focus this draft. "Last season, overall, we drafted players who might have been smaller but had other offensive skills. This gave us the ability to focus on size in this year's process," Halliburton said.
Spirit General Manager Bob Mancini says the draft is a building block toward a better team. "In the long run, we made a great statement today about the future of the Saginaw Spirit hockey club."
The Saginaw Spirit, Mid-Michigan's Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Franchise plays 34 home games from September to March. The OHL is part of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), which also includes the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The OHL is the official supplier to the National Hockey League (NHL). Visit the Spirit Website at www.saginawspirit.com
Spirit Draft Picks, Background
First Round, 2nd overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Matt Corrente. Corrente is a left shot defenseman from the Vaughan Vipers Tier II Junior A program. Corrente is a 6'0", 185 pound native of Mississauga, Ontario. His birthdate is March 17th, 1988
He had 5 goals, 13 assists and 113 PIMS in 38 games played.
Scouts Comments: Matt is a mobile defenseman who is confident with the puck and makes good decisions. He's a physical presence who demands respect on the ice.
Second Round, 22nd overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Scott Fletcher. Fletcher is a right-shot defenseman, from Detroit Honeybaked Minor Midgets. He's 6'2", 170 pounds. His birthday is January 12th, 1988. He's a native of Haslett, Michigan.
Fletcher had 4 goals, 17 assists in 72 games played.
Scouts Comments: Rugged style. This young man has very good skills. He moves the puck well, makes good decisions and is very cool under pressure.
Second Round, 32nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Chris Ferguson. Ferguson is a left shot forward from Thunder Bay Kings Minor Midgets. He's 6'1", 155 pounds. His birthday is February 9th, 1988. Ferguson had 33 goals, 41 assists and 46 PIMS in 48 games played. He's a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Scouts Comments: Capable, dependable thinking-type player. A skilled player who plays at a high tempo, goes to the net with determination and drive.
Third Round, 48th overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Ryan Daniels. Daniels is a goaltender from the Ajax-Pickering Raiders Minor Midgets. Daniels is 6'1", 180 pounds and a native of Pickering, Ontario. His birthdate is 6/22/1988.
Scouts Comments: Squares to the shooter and is very composed, doesn't rattle. Glove and stick work are above average. Fast glove hand, quick up and down and side to side.
Fifth Round, 91st Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Keith Mason. Mason is a left shot forward from the Thunder Bay Kings Minor Midget program. Mason is a 5'8", 165 pound native of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Scouts Comments: Tough forward. Plays with aggressive style. A gritty antagonizer.
Sixth Round, 102nd overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Tim Cavanagh. Cavanagh is a left-shot defenseman from the Peterborough Junior Petes Minor Midget program. Cavanagh is a 6'2", 165 pound native of Peterborough, Ontario. His birthdate is 2/3/1988.
Scouts Comments: Solid, stay-at-home defenseman who clears the net well. He's a heads-up player who finishes his checks.
Sixth Round, 108th overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Jordan Franke. Franke is a right shot forward from the Detroit Little Caesars' Minor Midget program. Francke is a 6'3", 210 pound native of Canton, Michigan.
Scouts Comments: Knows how to play a smart game. Good hands. Great size and power.
Sixth Round, 114th overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Luke Moodie. Moodie is a left shot forward from the Wexford Raiders Minor Midget program. Moodie is a 6'1", 180 pound native of Oakville, Ontario. His birthdate is 8/16/1988.
Moodie had 17 goals, 23 assists and 81 PIMS in 27 games played.
Scouts Comments: Has all the tools. A big forward who's a good skater, very effective hockey player with good hands and good speed.
Seventh Round, 125th Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Andrew Marcoux. Marcoux is a left shot forward from the Guelph Junior Storm Minor Midget program. Marcoux is a 5'10", 160 pound native of Rockwood, Ontario. His birthdate is 1/6/1988.
Marcoux had 31 goals, 22 assists and 50 PIMS in 39 games played.
Scouts Comments: A hard worker who is a good face-off man. Goes to the net with or without the puck. Plays with an edge. Very competitive
Ninth Round, 162nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Andrew Cable. Cable is a left shot defenseman from the Whitby Wildcats Minor Midget program. Cable is 6'2", 170 pound native of Whitby, Ontario. His birthday is 4/27/1988.
Cable had 3 goals, 24 assists and 32 PIMS in 35 games.
Scouts Comments: Big, strong defenseman. Moves the puck well. Hard and accurate shot.
Tenth Round, 182nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit have selected Dustin Gazley. Gazley is a right shot forward from the Detroit Compuware Minor Midget program. Gazley a is 5'7", 130 pound native of Novi, Michigan. His birthday is 10/3/1988.
Gazley had 40 goals, 29 assists and 38 PIMS in 54 games played.
Scouts comments: Quick, exciting player to watch with and without the puck. Fiesty and smart on the puck, good on the forecheck and reads the ice very well. One of the most explosive players in Michigan.
Tenth Round, 194th Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit select Joel Workman. Workman is a left shot forward from the Lambdon Junior Sting Minor Midget program. He's a 6'1", 165 pound native of Mooretown, Ontario. His birthday is 8/16/1988.
Workman had 24 goals, 32 assists and 40 PIMS in 57 games.
Scouts Comments: Works hard at both ends of the rink. Effective positioning on the ice, long reach.
Eleventh Round, 202nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit select Chris Chappell. Chappell is a left shot forward from the Ajax-Pickering Raiders Minor Midget program. Chappell is a 6'2", 170 pound native of Pickering, Ontario. His birthdate is 3/21/1988.
Chappell had 14 goals, 28 assists and 22 PIMS in 31 games.
Scouts Comments: Good skater, quick passer with an accurate shot.
Twelfth Round, 222nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit select Tim Priamo. Priamo is a left shot forward from the Guelph Junior Storm Minor Midget program. Priamo is a 6'0", 160 pound native of Guelph, Ontario. His birthdate is 4/7/1988
Scouts Comments: Creative on ice. Plays both ends of the ice well.
Fourteenth Round, 262nd Overall:
The Saginaw Spirit select Joseph Schweiger. Schweiger is a right shot forward from Belle Tire's Minor Midget program. Schweiger is a 6'0", 160 pound native of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. His birthdate is 5/1/1988.
Schweiger had 42 goals, 32 assists and 114 PIMS in 67 games.
Scouts Comments: Good sized winger, works hard at both ends of the rink. Will crash the net and cause traffic.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2004
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- Spirit Select Defenseman Corrente Second in OHL Draft - Saginaw Spirit
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