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OHL Flint Firebirds

Franchise Record Five Firebirds Named to NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings

April 18, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - NHL Central Scouting came out with their final 2023 NHL Draft rankings today, and as was the case back in January with the midseason rankings, a franchise record five Firebirds are on it.

Tristan Bertucci soared up the rankings back in January, checking in 51st in NHL Central Scouting's midseason rankings, and after a career year now comes in at 32nd among North American skaters. Bertucci finished tied for 12th among OHL defensemen for points this year with 50 (11 G, 39 A) and was voted the 2nd "Most Improved Player" in the OHL's Western Conference as part of the OHL's annual Coaches Poll. The Firebirds 2021 1st round pick and career +/- leader is currently in Switzerland playing for Team Canada at the 2023 U18 World Championships.

After being ranked 41st in the midseason rankings, Coulson Pitre now comes in 37th among North American skaters in the final rankings. The Stouffville, Ont. native produced 60 points (29 G, 35 A) while going +20 this year in 59 GP and was named to the CHL Top Prospects Game this past January. He set the franchise record for goals scored by a rookie last season with 23 while also being named to the OHL's First All-Rookie team. Pitre is one of just 14 skaters in Firebirds history to hit the 100-point mark now with 104 points in 11 GP.

Next up for Flint is Ethan Hay who comes in at 83rd among North American skaters after jumping all the way up to 90th in the midseason rankings. Hay continues to impress with his two-way style of play that saw him record 17 G and 11 A in the regular season while winning 54.6% of FO. The Waterloo, Ont. native once again shined in the OHL playoffs where he finished 3rd on the team in points with six (1 G, 5 A) and won 59.4% of draws while taking the third-most faceoff attempts in the first round.

Defenseman Blake Smith comes in 155th among North American skaters in the final rankings. Smith was acquired by the Firebirds in November and produced 6 A in 41 GP with the Firebirds. The shutdown defenseman stands at 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, and quickly became integral to the Firebirds' blueline throughout the year. The Oshawa, Ont. native finished the year +10 while adding 4 A in the final 17 games of the regular season.

Goaltender Nathan Day checks in at 12th among North American goaltenders after a red-hot finish to the season. The Grimsby, Ont. native went 9-1-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .916% over his last 11 games in the regular season. His success carried over into the playoffs where he produced a 3.24 GAA and .896% in 7 GP. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound netminder was a Firebirds 3rd round pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. He finished the season 17-10-0 with a 3.91 GAA and .874%.

The 2023 NHL Draft is set to take place on June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Flint Firebirds have had at least one player taken in every draft since their inception in 2015 and despite having multiple players selected in five of the last seven, have never had three players selected in one draft.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2023


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