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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Select Kechego and Lachance in 2024 U18 Priority Selection

April 17, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit completed the 2024 U18 Priority Selection on Wednesday night, concurrent to Game 4 against the Soo Greyhounds. With their picks, the Spirit selected center Zander Kechego (19th overall) and left winger Ian Lachance (39th overall).

They joined current Spirit forwards Calem Mangone and Lincoln Moore as U18 Priority selectees. Mangone (2nd Overall, 2021 U18 Priority Selection) is the highest scoring player to be taken since the U18 draft was introduced in 2017. Through 176 regular season games, Mangone has 53 goals, 91 assists, and 144 points.

History:

The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada's three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development.

Round 1, 19th Overall: C Zander Kechego

From Oneida, Ontario, Kechego led the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U18AAA program in scoring during the 2023-24 season (19G-31A-50P). The left-shot center clocks in at 5'11, 187lbs.

"Zander is a player we have been watching all year with our Alliance scout Adam Simpson coaching him," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "He is a tenacious, skilled player that works extremely hard and will fill any role asked of him."

Not only did Kechego lead his team, but the entire Alliance U18 system in scoring this season.

Round 2, 39th Overall: RW Ian Lachance

Saginaw's final pick in the 2024 U18 Priority Selection, Ian Lachance hails from Timmins, Ontario. Lachance, standing at 6'2", 176lbs, led the Timmins Majors and the entire Great North Midget League in scoring with 74 points (26G, 48A) in 35 games.

"Ian is a player with size and skill," said Drinkill. "He showed very well this season and led his league in scoring by a large margin. We feel he is just starting to reach his potential and we are excited to have drafted him tonight."

Lachance also got playing time with the Timmins Rock Jr A program as well this season. He notched a goal and an assist in two games of NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) action.

Between the U16 and U18 drafts this spring, the Spirit have added 14 players to their system.

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit completed the 2024 U18 Priority Selection on Wednesday night, concurrent to Game 4 against the Soo Greyhounds. With their picks, the Spirit selected center Zander Kechego (19th overall) and left winger Ian Lachance (39th overall).

They joined current Spirit forwards Calem Mangone and Lincoln Moore as U18 Priority selectees. Mangone (2nd Overall, 2021 U18 Priority Selection) is the highest scoring player to be taken since the U18 draft was introduced in 2017. Through 176 regular season games, Mangone has 53 goals, 91 assists, and 144 points.

History:

The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada's three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development.

Round 1, 19th Overall: C Zander Kechego

From Oneida, Ontario, Kechego led the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U18AAA program in scoring during the 2023-24 season (19G-31A-50P). The left-shot center clocks in at 5'11, 187lbs.

"Zander is a player we have been watching all year with our Alliance scout Adam Simpson coaching him," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "He is a tenacious, skilled player that works extremely hard and will fill any role asked of him."

Not only did Kechego lead his team, but the entire Alliance U18 system in scoring this season.

Round 2, 39th Overall: RW Ian Lachance

Saginaw's final pick in the 2024 U18 Priority Selection, Ian Lachance hails from Timmins, Ontario. Lachance, standing at 6'2", 176lbs, led the Timmins Majors and the entire Great North Midget League in scoring with 74 points (26G, 48A) in 35 games.

"Ian is a player with size and skill," said Drinkill. "He showed very well this season and led his league in scoring by a large margin. We feel he is just starting to reach his potential and we are excited to have drafted him tonight."

Lachance also got playing time with the Timmins Rock Jr A program as well this season. He notched a goal and an assist in two games of NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) action.

Between the U16 and U18 drafts this spring, the Spirit have added 14 players to their system.

###

For More Information:

Dillon Clark

Director of Communications & Broadcasting

(989) 737-8964 cell | (989) 577-5915 office

dclark@saginawspirit.com

Follow us on:

Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club | 6321 State St., Saginaw, MI 48603

Constant Contact Data Notice

Sent by info@saginawspirit.com powered by

Try email marketing for free today!

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2024 U18 Priority Selection � Spirit select Kechego and Lachance in 2024 U18 Priority Selection Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit completed the 2024 U18 Priority Selection on Wednesday night, concurrent to Game 4 against the Soo Greyhounds. With their picks, the Spirit selected center Zander Kechego (19th overall) and left winger Ian Lachance (39th overall). They joined current Spirit forwards Calem Mangone and Lincoln Moore as U18 Priority selectees. Mangone (2nd Overall, 2021 U18 Priority Selection) is the highest scoring player to be taken since the U18 draft was introduced in 2017. Through 176 regular season games, Mangone has 53 goals, 91 assists, and 144 points. History: The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada's three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development. Round 1, 19th Overall: C Zander Kechego From Oneida, Ontario, Kechego led the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U18AAA program in scoring during the 2023-24 season (19G-31A-50P). The left-shot center clocks in at 5'11, 187lbs. "Zander is a player we have been watching all year with our Alliance scout Adam Simpson coaching him," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "He is a tenacious, skilled player that works extremely hard and will fill any role asked of him." Not only did Kechego lead his team, but the entire Alliance U18 system in scoring this season. Round 2, 39th Overall: RW Ian Lachance Saginaw's final pick in the 2024 U18 Priority Selection, Ian Lachance hails from Timmins, Ontario. Lachance, standing at 6'2", 176lbs, led the Timmins Majors and the entire Great North Midget League in scoring with 74 points (26G, 48A) in 35 games. "Ian is a player with size and skill," said Drinkill. "He showed very well this season and led his league in scoring by a large margin. We feel he is just starting to reach his potential and we are excited to have drafted him tonight." Lachance also got playing time with the Timmins Rock Jr A program as well this season. He notched a goal and an assist in two games of NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) action. Between the U16 and U18 drafts this spring, the Spirit have added 14 players to their system. ### For More Information: Dillon Clark Director of Communications & Broadcasting (989) 737-8964 cell | (989) 577-5915 office dclark@saginawspirit.com � Follow us on: � � Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club | 6321 State St., Saginaw, MI 48603 Unsubscribe Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by info@saginawspirit.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

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2024 U18 Priority Selection

Spirit select Kechego and Lachance in 2024 U18 Priority Selection

Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit completed the 2024 U18 Priority Selection on Wednesday night, concurrent to Game 4 against the Soo Greyhounds. With their picks, the Spirit selected center Zander Kechego (19th overall) and left winger Ian Lachance (39th overall).

They joined current Spirit forwards Calem Mangone and Lincoln Moore as U18 Priority selectees. Mangone (2nd Overall, 2021 U18 Priority Selection) is the highest scoring player to be taken since the U18 draft was introduced in 2017. Through 176 regular season games, Mangone has 53 goals, 91 assists, and 144 points.

History:

The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada's three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development.

Round 1, 19th Overall: C Zander Kechego

From Oneida, Ontario, Kechego led the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U18AAA program in scoring during the 2023-24 season (19G-31A-50P). The left-shot center clocks in at 5'11, 187lbs.

"Zander is a player we have been watching all year with our Alliance scout Adam Simpson coaching him," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "He is a tenacious, skilled player that works extremely hard and will fill any role asked of him."

Not only did Kechego lead his team, but the entire Alliance U18 system in scoring this season.

Round 2, 39th Overall: RW Ian Lachance

Saginaw's final pick in the 2024 U18 Priority Selection, Ian Lachance hails from Timmins, Ontario. Lachance, standing at 6'2", 176lbs, led the Timmins Majors and the entire Great North Midget League in scoring with 74 points (26G, 48A) in 35 games.

"Ian is a player with size and skill," said Drinkill. "He showed very well this season and led his league in scoring by a large margin. We feel he is just starting to reach his potential and we are excited to have drafted him tonight."

Lachance also got playing time with the Timmins Rock Jr A program as well this season. He notched a goal and an assist in two games of NOJHL (Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League) action.

Between the U16 and U18 drafts this spring, the Spirit have added 14 players to their system.

###

For More Information:

Dillon Clark

Director of Communications & Broadcasting

(989) 737-8964 cell | (989) 577-5915 office

dclark@saginawspirit.com

Follow us on:

Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club | 6321 State St., Saginaw, MI 48603

Constant Contact Data Notice

Sent by info@saginawspirit.com powered by

Try email marketing for free today!

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