OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Bolster Offense with New Prospects; Pick Saad 10th overall

May 3, 2008 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The Saginaw Spirit added to their offensive depth today, selecting four forwards in the opening rounds of the 2008 OHL Priority Selection. The Spirit also picked up two defensemen and a goalie, for a total of seven picks in the first five rounds. Saginaw selected three Americans and four Canadians in the draft.

"We were elated with our first seven picks," stated Spirit General Manager Don Edwards, "We strongly believe that all of these players will play in the Ontario Hockey League at some point."

Saginaw's first round pick this year was winger Brandon Saad ('92), selected 10th overall. The 1992-born Gibsonia, Pennsylvania native spent last season with the US Major Midget Pittsburgh Hornets. Saad tallied 43 goals and 51 assists in 76 games for the 2008 State Champion Hornets.

"It is a great honor to be selected in the first round and I am excited to be playing for Saginaw sometime in the near future," stated Saginaw first round pick Brandon Saad, "Hopefully all goes well in the coming year and we'll have a strong team."

"Brandon fits all of our criteria and was exactly what we were looking for in the draft," stated Edwards, "He has size, strength, and speed, plus he has great goal scoring ability and competes on every shift."

Previous Spirit first round selections include forward Daniel Pachis (2007), defenseman Nick Crawford (2006), forward Zack Torquato (2005), defenseman Matt Corrente (2004), defenseman Patrick McNeill (2003) and forward Jean-Michel Rizk (2002).

The team continued to strengthen its offense by drafting three more forwards. Center John Parker ('92) was selected 37th overall. Parker averaged almost a point a game with the AJHL New Jersey Rockets and was selected to participate in the 2008 AJHL All-Star Game.

"John is maybe the best skater in the draft. He has already played a season of junior hockey (with the AJHL) and is well seasoned for the OHL," stated Edwards.

The Spirit followed with the selection of center Dylan Impens ('92) 58th overall and Dylan Fitze ('92) 60th overall. Leamington, Ontario native Impens tallied 20 goals and 47 assists in 60 games this season with the Ontario Minor Midget's Sun County Panthers. Fitze, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, notched 38 goals and 24 assists in 64 games this season with the Ontario Minor Midget's Peterborough Petes.

According to Edwards, "Both Dylan's fit the mold of the type of players we want here in Saginaw. They both compete hard and will compliment our offense nicely."

The Spirit looked across the blue line for the fourth and five rounds. Defenseman Matt Braun ('92) was selected 71st overall. The Mississauga, Ontario native played last season with the Ontario Minor Midget's Mississauga Senators.

"We thought Matt was a steal. He was one of the top players at the Under-17 tournament in Toronto and we seized the opportunity to draft him," stated Edwards.

Saginaw selected Howell, Michigan native Colin Greeley ('92) 75th overall. Greeley accumulated a 3.19 goals against average and 0.881 save percentage in net for the US Minor Midget's Victory Honda U16's. In two games of tournament play, Greeley posted a 2.04 goals against average and 0.912 save percentage.

Said Edwards, "We were excited to pick up Colin as he is a big, strong goalie with good size and presence."

The Spirit capped off the opening rounds of the 2008 OHL Priority Selection by drafting defenseman Kyle Flemington ('92) 85th overall. The Parkhill, Ontario native notched 3 goals and 18 assists with the Ontario Minor Midget's Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs last season.

"Kyle has size being at 6'4" and 215 lbs," stated Edwards, "He will fit in nicely with our current corps of defenseman."

The 17-round draft continues through Saturday evening, with the Spirit boasting nine more picks. For more information on the newest members of the Saginaw Spirit, please visit Saginawspirit.com.

The OHL Priority Selection is the primary method for building a successful OHL franchise. North American players born between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1992 are eligible for selection. OHL teams are permitted to register a maximum of four 16 year old players chosen in the Selection; those 16 year old players that are allowed to dress and play are the first two 16 year old players selected and a maximum of addition of two 16 year old 'wild card' players. All other 16 year old players selected are eligible to be called up as an 'affiliate player' or 'floating affiliate player' for a maximum of 10 games, unless the member team is eliminated from competition for that season.

For more information on the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, please visit Ontariohockeyleague.com.

Check out the Saginaw Spirit Statistics



Ontario Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2008


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