Kings U-16 foursome chosen in OHL Priority Selection

HUNDER BAY – The Ontario Hockey League’s 2021 Priority Selection wrapped up Saturday and it saw four members of the Thunder Bay Kings under-16 side drafted.

The first player from Thunder Bay’s U-16s to was centre Owen Voortman who was picked in the 11th round, 216th overall, by the London Knights.

Round 12 saw fellow Kings’ forward Luca Ricciardi tabbed by the Sudbury Wolves as he went with the 239 overall choice.

Moving to the 15th and final round of the two-day event, the North Bay Battalion chose Thunder Bay netminder Kolton Bourret with the 290th selection while Kings’ left winger E.J. Paddington was picked by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at 298th.

Since the Thunder Bay Kings were formed back in 1988, 175 of its players have been selected in the OHL’s U-16 Priority Selection.

This includes the likes past OHL first round draft choices and future National Hockey League players Taylor Pyatt and all four of the Staal brothers, Eric, Marc, Jordan and Jared.

The OHL’s U-18 Draft goes Wednesday.