Carter Kostuch admits it did not take him very long to realize North Bay would be a good new home for the Richmond Hill, Ontario product who was selected 21st overall by the Battalion Friday night.
It all started with a recruiting visit to North Bay which included a ticket to a Battalion playoff game.
"I came for game one against Barrie and the atmosphere was electric," admitted Kostuch.
"It was loud and the rink was packed and I knew this is somewhere where I want to play, showcase myself and help the team improve."
Kostuch and third round selection Zachary Wilson, the top two Battalion selections during the draft which wrapped up Saturday afternoon, traveled north to Memorial Gardens for a family tour of Memorial Gardens and, of course, a chance to take in a sold-out Memorial Gardens for a 7-3 win in game 5 versus Barrie.
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Kostuch, Wilson and local product Ryan Daze (selected in the 14th round), were welcomed to centre ice for the ceremonial faceoff. Both Kostuch and Wilson waved their arms to get the fans cheering when they walked onto the ice.
Wilson, a 6'4" blueliner who hails from Fenlon Falls, Ontario, was just excited to take in the experience.
"As a kid going to these OHL games was always so cool," said the articulate 16-year-old.
"Thinking of these kids having these opportunities, myself getting drafted and this becoming a reality I think it is definitely an eye opener and super exciting and pure joy I feel right now to be part of this organization.
"This has been a dream of mine all my life. I am super proud and definitely my family and my coaches along the way helped me massively."
The Battalion trio of Kostuch, Wilson and Daze were among 17 chosen in the 15-round online process by the Battalion, which selected four centres, three left wingers, two right wingers, six defencemen and two goaltenders, all born in 2007.
