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OHL Brantford Bulldogs

Bulldogs Select Matthew Strome Eighth Overall in Inaugural OHL Priority Selection

April 11, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Brantford Bulldogs News Release


HAMILTON, ONT. - The Hamilton Bulldogs drafted 18 players in the club's first Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection on Saturday.

With their first-ever pick in the OHL Priority Selection, the Bulldogs drafted left wing Matthew Strome in the first round, eighth overall. The 6-3, 182-pound winger captained the Toronto Marlboros to an OHL Cup minor midget AAA title this past season. In 64 games, the Mississauga, Ont. native recorded 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) and 36 penalty minutes. He is the younger brother of New York Islanders forward Ryan Strome and Erie Otters forward Dylan Strome.

"When you're the undeniable leader of the best team in minor midget hockey, we think that says a lot," said Bulldogs head coach and general manager George Burnett about Strome. "Size, skills, a young man that's determined to get better right away. We really felt he has a chance to be amongst the elite players in this draft."

With their second pick (second round, 33rd overall), the 'Dogs chose right defenceman and Stoney Creek native Reilly Webb. The 6-3, 188-pound defenceman played for the Toronto Titans this past season. In 32 games, he recorded 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists).

"It's exciting for his family and friends, I'm sure," Burnett said of Webb. "He wasn't drafted because he's a local kid. He was drafted because we thought the world of him as a young prospect. He had a great year. He's big, mobile, has skill, grit, has an edge. I think he's a guy who has a chance to play right away if he does the right things over the next five months."

With its third pick (second round, 40th overall), Hamilton selected centre MacKenzie Entwistle. The 6-2, 159-pound forward played alongside Strome with the Marlboros this past season. In 66 games, the Georgetown, Ont. native registered 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists) and 24 penalty minutes.

In the third round (59th overall), the Bulldogs drafted left defenceman Fedor Gordeev. The 6-4, 184-pound defenceman split this past season between the Toronto Red Wings (midget) and the Milton IceHawks (Ontario Junior A Hockey League). In 56 games with the Red Wings, the Toronto, Ont. native recorded 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists). In nine games with the IceHawks, he recorded one assist and four penalty minutes.

With the first of two picks in the fourth round (68th overall), the 'Dogs chose right defenceman Noah Lugli. The 6-4, 183-pound defenceman played for the Mississauga Rebels this past season. In 63 games, the Toronto native registered 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) and 128 penalty minutes.

With its second pick in the fourth round (76th overall), Hamilton selected centre Zackary Jackson. The 6-1, 170-pound forward played alongside Webb with the Titans this past season. In 15 games, the Barrie, Ont. native recorded nine points (five goals, four assists).

In the fifth round (96th overall), the Bulldogs drafted goaltender Nick Donofrio. The 6-2, 180-pound goaltender played for Compuware U15 this past season. The Ypsilanti, Mich. native dressed in 34 games with Compuware in 2014-15.

In the sixth round (119th overall), the 'Dogs picked left wing Kristopher Lalonde. The 6-2, 212-pound forward split this past season between the Ottawa Valley Titans (midget) and the Pembroke Lumber Kings (Central Canada Hockey League). In 30 games with the Titans, the Almonte, Ont. native recorded 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) and two penalty minutes. In two games with the Lumber Kings, he recorded a goal and an assist.

With the first of two picks in the seventh round (125th overall), Hamilton chose right wing Jesse Burger. The 6-1, 171-pound winger played for the Mississaugua Reps this past season. In 17 games, the Ridgeville, Ont. native recorded four points (one goal, three assists).

With their second pick in the seventh round (128th overall), the Bulldogs selected right wing Jake Durham. The 5-9, 174-pound forward split this past season between the Central Ontario Wolves (midget) and the Stouffville Spirit (OJHL). In 23 games with the Wolves, the Port Perry, Ont. native recorded 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) and 45 penalty minutes. In four games with the Spirit, he recorded no points or penalty minutes.

In the eighth round (148th overall), the 'Dogs drafted left wing Maddux Rychel. The 6-1, 206-pound winger split this past season between the Sun County Panthers (midget) and the LaSalle Vipers (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League). In 20 games with the Panthers, the Tecumseh, Ont. native recorded six points (three goals, three assists) and 16 penalty minutes. In two games with the Vipers, he recorded one assist. He is the son of former National Hockey League player Warren Rychel and brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Kerby Rychel.

In the ninth round (168th overall), the Bulldogs picked left defenceman and Hamilton native Brandon Scanlin. The 6-0, 163-pound defenceman played for the Hamilton Huskies this past season. In 29 games, he recorded 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and 22 penalty minutes.

In the 10th round (188th overall), Hamilton chose centre Jack Ricketts. The 6-0, 176-pound forward captained the Oakville Rangers this past season. In 15 games, the Oakville, Ont. native recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) and 12 penalty minutes.

In the 11th round (208th overall), the 'Dogs selected right wing and Hamilton native Issac Nurse. The 5-10, 160-pound winger played with the Hamilton Huskies this past season. In 30 games, he recorded 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) and 31 penalty minutes. He is the cousin of Edmonton Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse.

In the 12th round (228th overall), Hamilton drafted centre Skyler Brind'Amour. The 6-1, 153-pound forward played for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes this past season. The Raleigh, N.C. native is the son for former NHLer Rod Brind'Amour.

In the 13th round (248th overall), the Bulldogs picked left defenceman Matthew Wilkins. The 6-2, 186-pound defenceman played with the Marlboros alongside Strome and Entwistle this past season. In 70 games, the Mississauga native recorded 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) and 44 penalty minutes.

In the 14th round (268th overall), the 'Dogs chose forward Lucas Vanroboys. The 5-6, 118-pound forward played with SHA American this past season.

In the 15th round (288th overall), Hamilton selected centre Brett Willits. The 5-8, 166-pound forward played with the London Jr. Knights this past season. In 27 games, the London, Ont. native recorded 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) and 10 penalty minutes.

For an at-a-glance look at all the players selected by the Bulldogs in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com/team/ohl_selection .

OHL Bulldogs season tickets are on sale now. Call 1-866-DOGS-TIX or visit hamiltonbulldogs.com for more information.

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