The OHL held it's "Priority Selection" today so I figured I'd give you an update on a few things Wisconsin related.First of all, I hope everyone got to read the absolutely comical situation with Scott Harrington. If you aren't aware, read this article from Western College Hockey. Basically, the kid was going to be a top 5 selection in the OHL draft, and his advisor talks with a newspaper and puts it out there 2 days before the draft that he plans on going the college route. Like I mentioned yesterday, this SCREAMS pre-draft deal with a team drafting later in the first round. And guess who selected Scott Harrington with the second to last pick in the first round? You guessed it, the shadiest team in the league, the London Knights.
Next item of business. I certainly wasn't planning on it, but it also doesn't surprise me in the least that John Moore was selected. Moore, who currently plays for the Chicago Steel in the USHL, and is a Colorado College recruit for the upcoming season, was drafted early in the second round by the Kitchener Rangers. Moore is expected to be a top 10 pick in this summers NHL Draft. OHL teams don't draft players in the top 2 rounds that are already committed to colleges unless they have a deal in place. Don't expect to see Moore in at the World Arena in the fall.
The third round saw Trevor Morbeck, a Team Illinois forward and Wisconsin natives name called by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Everyone knows that Team Illinois is a major pipeline to UW, and with Morbeck being a Wisconsin native, it could have been a great fit for him and the Badgers. Morbecks older brother, a goaltender with TI, was drafted in the 2007 draft by the Oshawa Generals. As a third round pick he's a near lock to end up north of the border eventually. Morbeck should have a great time in Sault Ste. Marie if he ends up there as well. I'm not sure if you guys are up on your geography, but I've attached a map of the OHL franchises at the bottom of this post. The closest city to Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, is a 5 hour bus ride. Have fun with that.
The next Wisconsin born player to be selected was 2012 Wisconsin commit Jordan Schmaltz. Schmaltz, who is a Verona native, currently plays his hockey for the Chicago Mission. Jordan was drafted in the 7th round by the Windsor Spitfires. It was assumed that someone would take a shot at Schmaltz, but I don't think the 7th round is going to be high enough to entice him to give the OHL a serious look. Expect him to stay on track to Wisconsin.
After Schmaltz was another Team Illinois forward Lane King who was selected in the 13th round by the Oshawa Generals. King, who is from Waunakee, Wisconsin, is rumored along with a few other current AAA players to be returning to Waunakee to play Wisconsin high school hockey next season. No idea how true that is, stay tuned to see how that turns out.
Jake Dutter, another Team Illinois player was also taken in the 13th by St. Michael's Majors. Dutter, who is from Kenosha is an interesting player and was at last summers select 15 festival. DPlaya from Hockey In Wisconsin got to see King and Dutter play at the Central District tournamet in March. He had a few comments on both players as well as Trevor Morbeck.
The next, and last Wisconsin born player selected was Verona high school defenseman Joey Fiala. Fiala is the only Wisconsin high school player who was selected today. He was taken in the 14th round by the Saginaw Spirit. The 6'2, 185 lb defenseman was a lock down defenseman for Team Wisconsin minors as they navigated thier way to the USA Hockey national tournament about a month ago.
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