Colts Select Aaron Ekblad First Overall
May 6, 2011 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Barrie Colts News Release
Barrie, ON- The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Barrie Colts are pleased to announce today that Aaron Ekblad will be the first overall pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, presented by State Farm.
Colts President Howie Campbell made the announcement at a press conference this afternoon in Barrie. The 2011 OHL Priority Selection is set for Saturday, May 7th beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Aaron will be a featured guest on the live 2011 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show, presented by State Farm. The draft show along with complete draft coverage is available at www.ontariohockeyleague.com.
On March 31, 2011, the Ontario Hockey Federation announced the results of the review by Hockey Canada in consideration of the application by the 15-year-old Ekblad, determining that the player is to be granted "exceptional player" making him the only 1996-born player eligible for the Priority Selection.
Ekblad becomes the first player since John Tavares in 2005 to be granted "exceptional player" status. Tavares was selected first overall by the Oshawa Generals and eventually became the first pick of the New York Islanders.
Ekblad, 15 years old from Belle River, is the 2011 Jack Ferguson Award winner as the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. He is just the second Colts player to ever win the award after Daniel Tkaczuk was picked first by Barrie back in 1995.
As a 14 year-old Ekblad led the Sun County Panthers to an ALLIANCE Championship title, and was named a First-Team All-Star at the 2010 All Ontario Bantam AAA Championships.
Last season Ekblad collected 34 points in 30 games played for Sun County before putting up 21 points in 18 post-season games.
Barrie Colts Head Scout and Director of Player Personnel Darrell Woodley is very happy to have Ekblad. "He's the complete package, a big defenceman who skates real well for a big guy. He's got great offensive skills and he's really committed to his own end, he's just an all-around type of defenceman, similar to a Chris Pronger type."
"He has very special qualities about him and he really is a great kid," said Colts Assistant General Manager Jason Ford. "He does so many things well-he really is everything you could ever want in a player."
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...
Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 6, 2011
- Attack Edge Majors In OT - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
- Colts Swap Picks With Niagara - Barrie Colts
- Barrie Colts Announce Aaron Ekblad as First Overall Pick in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection - OHL
- Colts Select Aaron Ekblad First Overall - Barrie Colts
- Spitfires Exchange Picks with Sarnia and Owen Sound - Windsor Spitfires
- 61 CHL Players Invited to 2011 NHL Combine - OHL
- Otters Swap Picks with 67's - Erie Otters
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
