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Flint Firebirds

Hayes, Lombardi Selected by Original Six Teams in NHL Draft

July 8, 2022 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - For the fifth time in seven seasons since the move to Flint in 2015, the Firebirds have had multiple players taken in the NHL Draft as Gavin Hayes (Chicago) and Amadeus Lombardi (Detroit) were selected today in Montreal.

"We are so happy for Gavin and Amadeus," GM and Head Coach Ted Dent said. "Both young men are great hockey players but also great people. I really enjoy working with both of them and helping them develop into professional hockey players in the near future."

Firebirds in the NHL

Gavin Hayes was selected as the first pick in the 3rd round (#66 overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Gavin Hayes meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks staff after being drafted

"Right when I heard 'from the Flint Firebirds of the OHL' my heart stopped," Hayes said. "I am super honored to be drafted by such a great organization."

The 6-foot-2 LW set franchise rookie records in a single game and season points and assists this season, finishing the year with 19 G and 30 A. His 49 points were 4th on the team and 10th among all OHL rookies. The Firebirds 1st round pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection draft also finished 3rd among rookies for OHL playoff points (12) and goals (5).

Hayes becomes the first Michigander selected in the NHL Draft while wearing a Firebirds uniform.

Next up, forward Amadeus Lombardi was selected in the 4th round (#113 overall) by the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the first Firebird to ever be drafted by the Red Wings while being a member of the team.

"It's a dream come true," Lombardi said. "I still don't think it's really hit me yet. I'm so happy and excited to be drafted by such a prestigious organization like the Red Wings and I can't wait to get started."

Lombardi was a 13th round (#245 overall) selection by Flint back in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection. In his first season, he produced 18 G and 41 A for 59 points which ranked 2nd on the team. He added 7 G and 8 A in the 2022 OHL Playoffs, also finishing second on the team with 15 points.

Since the Flint Firebirds' inception five seasons ago in 2015, the club has already had 24 drafted or NHL-signed players on its roster consisting of Will Bitten (Montreal), Dennis Busby (Arizona), Nick Caamano (Dallas), Connor Chatham (New Jersey), Ty Dellandrea (Dallas), Fedor Gordeev (Toronto), Gavin Hayes (Chicago), Kyle Keyser (Boston Bruins), Ethan Keppen (Vancouver), Braeden Kressler (Toronto), Vladislav Kolyachonok (Florida), Dmitry Kuzmin (Winnipeg), Amadeus Lombardi (Detroit), Nick Mattinen (Toronto), Brent Moran (Dallas), Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina), Evgeniy Oksentyuk (Dallas), Brennan Othmann (NY Rangers), Alex Peters (Dallas), Vili Saarijarvi (Detroit), Kole Sherwood (Columbus), Jalen Smereck (Arizona), Tyler Tucker (St. Louis) and Josh Wesley (Carolina).

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 8, 2022


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