The North Bay Battalion helped bolster their offence as the team came to an agreement with Owen Green on an Education Contract, the team and the OHL reported on Thursday.
The Williamsville, NY product was a 9th round pick of the Battalion in the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.
Green, who played with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under-16 team, was courted by a number of high profile NCAA schools before electing to sign with the OHL club.
“I’ve talked to a lot of guys from this area who have played in the OHL, and they’ve told me it’s awesome,” Green said via telephone to www.battalionhockey.com
“I’ve watched a lot of OHL games, and the games have been great to watch,” added Green.
Amherst, NY product Dylan Blujus put in a good word about the Battalion program. The 2012 2nd round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning signed a 3-year entry level deal with the Lightning back in May after the Battalion's long playoff run to the OHL final.
“I’m just like everyone else,” said Green.
“My dream is to get drafted and play in the NHL. Playing in the OHL is the best way to get there, and seeing the success of guys like Blujus and Patrick Kane is intriguing. Hopefully that happens to me.”
Stan Butler, Battalion director of hockey operations and head coach is happy to sign him.
"Green has a chance as he progresses to be a top-six forward on our team. He’s big and strong and skilled. His skating needs some work, but that’s typical for a player his age, and once he gets on the ice every day next season it will come along,” Butler told www.battalionhockey.com
Green, six-foot-four and 200 pounds, scored 23 goals and earned 45 assists for 68 points in 64 games last season with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres under-16 team.
“We had a strong team, and I think I was a big part of that. Hopefully I can transfer that success to the OHL. I’m a power forward who’s a hard-nosed forward who gets in the face of the defenceman. I’m strong defensively, but I can score when I need to.”
Green said he has worked hard to prepare for his first season in the OHL.
“Getting used to the strength and speed of the other teams will be an adjustment, but I think I’ll get used to that quickly. I’ve been putting in a lot of work this summer so I can be at that level.”
To view our story previous story on Owen Green, click here: http://www.baytoday.ca/content/sports/details.asp?c=63897