The 2017-2018 season was a refreshing one for Battalion fans as the team jumped back into the postseason following a 30-28-7-3 season. With many young bright spots expected to return to the club next season, the 2018 OHL Priority Selection will allow the Troops to add even more talent to the squad.
The Battalion will have three picks in the top 31 when the draft kicks off on Saturday morning, including the ninth overall selection.
"I am very happy with our 01, draft, the Coe draft and I think it’s a good draft and I think we have to nail down another good draft here to set us up for where we need to go. We have got two second round picks and we have to make sure we do a good job with them," said Stan Butler, Battalion head coach and director of hockey operations said earlier in the week.
"We are looking for the best player, when you are picking in the first round at ninth, you got to get the best player so fortunately, or unfortunately we are not picking first so there are eight people in front of us to decide what they are going to do first and once I see what they do then we will figure out what we are going to do."
So who might the Troops target when their selection rolls around at number nine?
One way to go would be adding to a back-end that is set to lose Riley Bruce and Jesse Saban to overage. Local product Pacey Schlueting fits the mold. A 6'01 defenseman with two-way skills, smarts, and a physical edge, Pacey was widely considered a top prospect from start to finish. He had a strong performance at the OHL Cup tournament cementing himself as a top pick in 2018.
See related: The future is bright for North Bay's Pacey Schlueting
Should the Battalion look to add a forward with their first pick, Riley Piercey of the Toronto Marlboros would be an intriguing addition. Piercey stands close to 6’3" and boasts an intriguing combination of skill, hockey sense and competitiveness and would really fit the Battalion style of play.
Piercey has a North Bay connection too, as his father Jamie played for the North Bay Centennials and was a teammate of assistant coach Scott Wray with the Trainmen in the late 1990's.
Following the first round, North Bay possesses two second-round picks. Their own at #29 and Oshawa's at #31.
Twenty-nine is an intriguing pick as it is right in the range where the consensus top goaltender in the draft, Joe Vrbetic from the Don Mills Flyers is expected to go. Christian Propp was a saving grace for the Battalion this season, solidifying the crease. However, a talent like Vrbetic could be hard to pass up. A 6'04 goalie with excellent poise, athletic ability, and technical skills, Vrbetic is arguably the top goaltender available in the OHL draft since Mikey DiPietro was selected by the Windsor Spitfires.
Rolling around to pick thirty-one you have to assume the team would go with the best player available, opposed to selecting based on a need. A player like Tyson Foerster from the Barrie Jr. Colts could be a fairly sound fit for the Battalion. Forester is a 6'0" centre who racked up 20 goals and 41 assists in 34 regular season games for the Jr. Colts. He had an excellent ETA Playoff, OMHA Championship, and OHL Cup, excelling on the highest levels of Minor Midget "AAA" hockey. A player who skates well shows good hockey sense and undeniable offensive ability, Foerster would be a nice addition to the club.
Centre Dawson McKinney may also be a player to watch for the Troops at #31. The 5'10, 154 pound forward was a bright spot for a Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs team that struggled some this season, tallying 24 points in 27 games. McKinney is a player who possesses a competitive edge and plays with energy and skill. He shows a versatility to play in various roles and was strong during 17 games of Junior B action including 10 playoff games, where he was a call-up with the Ancaster Avalanche, coached by former Battalion player Ken Peroff.
Having three picks in the top thirty-one in a draft that is rich with talent should only elevate the Battalion roster heading into the 2018-2019 season. Outside of their first three picks, North Bay has three more picks within the top 100, sitting at 49, 69 and 89.
BayToday.ca will have up to the minute coverage of Saturday's OHL draft starting at 9 a.m.
Mike Mackley is a scout for HockeyProspect.com and the assistant GM with the Milton Ice Hawks of the OJHL
