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OHL Erie Otters

Otters grab McLean 11th overall

May 1, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League selected Brett MacLean with the 11th overall pick in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection being held today via the Internet and conference call.

The 16 year-old right winger scored 61 goals and 41 assists for 102 point in 59 games with Grey-Bruce during the 2003-2004 season. "I kind of thought that I might become an Otter and I'm pretty excited it happened," MacLean said this morning. "I talked with Mr. (Otters' General Manager and Managing Partner Sherry) Bassin Friday night and he seemed pretty interested. He liked me as a player and he said he thought I was a good person.

"I'm a big player (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), very offensive and I think I'm smart with the puck around the net."

"We considered Brett one of the best forwards in the draft," Bassin said. "He's a prolific scorer who can play either wing. We like everything about him. He has a big upside and is very competitive."

The Otters went defensive with their second and third picks selecting Richmond Hill defenseman Josh Kidd 31st overall and Whitby defender Eric Regan 51st overall.

"Both are big defensemen (Kidd is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds while Regan stands 6-foot-1, 170 pounds) and both got significantly better as the season wore on," said Bassin. "We liked their learning curve and both were relied upon heavily in key situations last season." Kidd collected seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points and 126 minutes in penalties in 75 games last season while Regan had 33 assists and 36 points and 48 minutes in penalties in 54 games.

"I'm happy and I can't wait until the season starts," Kidd said by telephone this morning. "I think I can fit in pretty well and it is my goal to be on the Otters next season."

A complete list of Otters picks at the 2004 OHL Priority Selection will be released upon the conclusion of the process.

The Belleville Bulls selected Whitby Wildcats minor midget forward John Hughes with the first pick overall. The Saginaw Spirit followed by taking Vaughan Jr. A defenseman Matthew Corrente with the second choice while Thunder Bay center Jordan Staal rounded out the top three when he went to the Peterborough Petes.

2004-2005 Erie Otters Season Tickets are on sale now. Enjoy 34 regular season home games in your reserved season seats and witness fast-paced, hard-hitting action of the future stars of the National Hockey League at significant savings over regular individual game prices. Season Ticket Holders never waste their unused tickets, which are redeemable for any non-Saturday game (excluding the Otters' annual Thanksgiving Game and all March home games) throughout the season. In addition Season Ticket Holders receive numerous other Season Ticket Holder Benefits. Call the Otters' Office (814-455-7779) for more details.

Don't miss out on the 2004 Erie Otters Hockey School for elite and select players presented by North Coast Processing. The August 15-19th camp at the Igloo Ice Arena is for players born between 1990-1996. Otters' Head Coach Dave MacQueen and a number of current players will be on hand to direct the players in all facets of the game. For more information contact the Otters' Office (814-455-7779).

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