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Kitchener Rangers

Rangers Add Offense In 2004 Draft

May 1, 2004 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Kitchener Rangers News Release


Kitchener, ON: The Rangers entered this yearÂ’s draft looking to add some offense with the 14th overall selection.

With their first pick the Rangers selected highly skilled centre Justin Azevedo 14th overall. Last season as a member of the Chatham Maroons (Jr. B) Azevedo led all rookie scorers with 20 goals and 56 points in 41 games, those numbers were good for 7th overall in the entire league. He was also named the leagueÂ’s Rookie of the Year.

“Justin is a great player who sees the ice very well,” said Rangers Head Scout Mike Sadler. “He is able to quarterback the power play and kill penalties,” added Sadler.

In the second round, the team selected St. Louis, MO native Jack Combs who played last season with the California Wave (Midget). With the Wave, Combs scored 58 goals and notched 103 points in 48 games (including playoffs).

The Rangers finished the day with a total of 14 draft picks including 8 forwards, 4 defensemen and 2 goalies.

Azevedo joins Devereaux Heshmatpour (2003), Evan McGrath (2002), Michael Richards (2001), Andre Benoit (2000) and Steve Eminger (1999) as recent first round draft choices made by the Rangers.

The Belleville Bulls selected C John Hughes of the Whitby Wildcats first overall. Last season he scored 66 goals and totaled 114 points in 56 games.

For a complete summary of each of the Rangers 2004 OHL Priority Draft selections visit the Rangers official website at www.kitchenerrangers.com.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2004


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