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Brantford Bulldogs

Bulldogs Add Trio Through OHL U18 Draft

April 18, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release


The Ontario Hockey League held its annual U18 Priority Selection Draft on Wednesday night with the Brantford Bulldogs adding another trio of talents to the pipeline, on top of the 14 added through the Priority Selection over the weekend.

The Bulldogs have a great history with the U18 Draft, first with Gavin White, who was selected in the 3rd round, 47th overall in the 2019 edition of the Draft. The smooth-skating right hand shot defenseman went on to play 113 games with the Bulldogs recording 81 points over that time. White was a key piece of the march to the 2022 OHL Championship, skating in all 19 games on that run scoring 9 points, including the overtime winner in Game 4 of the OHL Finals in at a pivotal moment in the series, his efforts earned him selection in the NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars that summer. After a mid-season trade to Peterborough in the 2022-23 season, White went onto win his 2nd consecutive OHL Championship as part of the Petes. Now playing in the Dallas system, White posted 11 assists in his rookie season with the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Going back to the blueline to open the 2023 U18 Draft, the Bulldogs selected Daniel Chen. The towering rearguard arrived at Bulldogs camp and immediately stood out in earning a Scholarship & Development Agreement with the Bulldogs. The 7th overall selection out of Thornhill, skated in 47 games as an OHL rookie and posted 6 assists in the 2023-24 season.

From a towering defenseman to an electric talent on the wing, the Brantford Bulldogs used the 14th overall selection in the 2024 U18 Draft to welcome Ben Austin of the Oakville Rangers U18. Perhaps a surprising omission in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Ben was prolific with the Burlington Eagles amassing 12 goals & 30 assists for 42 points in 36 games of SCTA league play. Moving from the Eagles program to the Rangers for his U18 season and took his game to another level. Scoring 14 goals & adding 37 assists for 51 points, Austin finished 2nd on his team in scoring and highest amongst 2007's.

In the 2nd round with the 34th overall selection the Bulldogs went between the pipes to select goaltender Noah Kraus from the Toronto Titans U18. The 6'1", 198lbs netminder has come through minor hockey in the Titans program and adds to the selection of Maksim Corovic & Brock Schaus in the Priority Selection Draft in providing another promising goaltender for the Bulldogs future.

With the selection of Kraus, the Bulldogs were able to add a 3rd selection and did so with the 51st overall pick, taking Ethan Pepperall from the Southern Tier Admirals U18. Posting 14 goals & 12 assists for 26 points in 30 games with Southern Tier, Pepperall added 54 penalty minutes. Blending skill with a penchant for getting under his opponent's skin, the 5'11" 165lbs left winger will look to make his mark on Bulldogs camp.

The Brantford Bulldogs are excited to welcome Ben, Noah & Ethan and look forward to seeing them at training camp.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2024


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