Majors Opt for Offence and Local Talent

May 1, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release


TORONTO, ON – The Toronto St. Michael's Majors participated in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection today. The event took place online at the league's web site, www.ontariohockeyleague.com and involved fifteen rounds of picks with each OHL team taking part. The Majors had fifteen picks in all as they were missing 3rd, 5th and 8th round choices but had two in each of the 13th, 14th and 15th rounds.

In the end, players from the local region, and those blessed with creative abilities won out, especially in the first couple of rounds. Nine are forwards, five are defenceman and one is a goaltender. Two are 5'9" or less, eight are either 5'10" or 5'11" and five are 6'0" or greater. And, finally, eight are from the Toronto region. Here are the fifteen picks:

Round 1, 18th overall

Justin DiBenedetto

Centre, Toronto Marlboros (minor midget)

5'11", 175 lbs.

Born: August 25, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 46GP, 40G, 32A, 72PTS, 56PIM

Round 2, 38th overall

Matthew Halischuk,

Right Wing, North York Jr. Canadiens (minor midget)

5'10", 158 lbs.

Born: June 1, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 33GP, 26G, 27A, 53PTS, N/A

Round 4, 78th overall

Trevor Eckenswiller

Defence, Grey-Bruce (minor midget)

5'11", 165 lbs.

Born: January 31st, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 53GP, 6G, 15A, 21PTS, 66PIM

Round 6, 118th overall

Matt Caria

Centre, Sault Ste. Marie North Stars (midget)

5'10", 160 lbs.

Born: August 16th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 44GP, 29G, 40A, 69 PTS, 58PIM

Round 7, 132nd overall

Andrew Favot

Centre, Markham Islanders (minor midget)

5'7", 140 lbs.

Born: April 26th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 37GP, 15G, 29A, 44PTS, 63PIM

Round 9, 178th overall

Robert Kwiet

Defence, Wexford Raiders (minor midget)

6'2", 195 lbs.

Born: August 2nd, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 36GP, 3G, 12A, 15PTS, 69PIM

Round 10, 198th overall

Brock VanDerGulik

Left Wing, Richmond Hill Stars (minor midget)

5'10", 160 lbs.

Born: June 19th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 67GP, 31G, 27A, 58PTS, 22PIM

Round 11, 218th overall

Jake McClelland

Defence, Sault Ste. Marie North Stars (midget)

5'10", 160 lbs.

Born: April 14th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 36GP, 4G, 11A, 15PTS, 99PIM

Round 12, 238th overall

Anthony Grieco

Goaltender, Don Mills Flyers (minor midget)

5'11", 160 lbs.

Born: November 27th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 23GP, 60GA, 2.61GAA, 3SO

Round 13, 248th overall

Matt Quigley

Right Wing, Pittsburgh Hornets (major midget)

5'10", 165 lbs.

Born: September 2nd, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: N/A

Round 13, 258th overall

Jeff Barletta

Defence, Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs (minor midget)

6'2", 179 lbs.

Born: July 22nd, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 57GP, 3G, 22A, 25PTS, 52PIM

Round 14, 268th overall

Dimitre Athanasiou

Left Wing, Mississauga Senators (minor midget)

6'2", 183 lbs.

Born: January 26th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 52GP, 12G, 21A, 33PTS, N/A

Round 14, 278th overall

John Clanton

Right Wing, Detroit Belle Tire 88's (minor midget)

6'0", 170 lbs.

Born: July 1st, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 65 GP, 19G, 27A, 46PTS, 76PIM

Round 15, 288th overall

Todd Duncan

Defence, Don Mills Flyers (minor midget)

6'2", 180 lbs.

Born: July 7th, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 36GP, 4G, 8A, 12PTS, 69PIM

Round 15, 298th overall

Billy Sweatt

Center, Team Illinois (midget)

5'9", 150 pounds

Born: September 21st, 1988

2003-04 Statistics: 59GP, 30G, 30A, 60PTS, N/A

The Majors were able to check off all of the player categories they were looking for: In DiBenedetto, Halischuk, Caria, Quigley, Clanton and Sweatt, they have smart, skilled forwards; Eckenswiller is a mobile, offensive defenceman; Anthony Grieco is a solid netminder; Kwiet, McClelland, Barletta and Duncan are all big, sturdy defencemen; Favot is a speedy forward with an in-your-face style; VanDerGulik is a finisher, as his 31 goals this season can attest; and, Athanasiou isn't afraid to stick up for his teammates. So, the future continues to look bright for the Majors!

For a complete recap of the draft, fans can click on the Priority Selection section of www.ontariohockeyleague.com to receive a rundown of all fifteen rounds, with bios and photos provided. Stay tuned to www.stmichaelsmajors.com over the next couple of months for individual interviews with many of these prospects.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2004


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