OHL loves region’s minor midgets
WATERLOO — Keean Washkurak wasted little time meeting his new team.
The Waterloo native jumped in the family car, with dad Joel, and headed to the Hershey Centre soon after the Mississauga Steelheads took him in the second round (30th overall) of Saturday’s Ontario Hockey League draft.
“I’ve been working my whole life for this and it’s just a great feeling,” he said.
It was an incredible day for minor hockey in Waterloo Region, as 19 players were selected in the 15-round online draft, which is six more than in each of the past three years.
Washkurak was watching the draft with his dad, mom Lori, and his grandparents when his name popped up.
“They were all excited for me,” he said.
There is no shortage of connections in Mississauga, as the team already has four Kitchener-born players on the roster.
And the Waterloo Region posse doubled on Saturday.
After taking Washkurak, the club chose Kitchener Jr. Rangers forward Cole Schwindt in the fourth round (69th overall), and Wolves wingers Callan Christner (9th round) and Kurtis Goodwin (13th round).
Other Wolves drafted: defencemen Nate Allensen (2nd round, Barrie Colts) and Gavin Wood (7th round, Ottawa 67’s), forwards Brayden Krieger (6th round, London Knights) and Tyson Hillier (14th round, Peterborough Petes), and goalie Cyrus Martin (8th round, Saginaw Spirit).
The Cambridge Hawks saw seven players selected, including goalie Calvin Greaves (3rd round, Barrie), blueliners Jagger O’Toole (5th round, Peterborough)
and Mark Cooper (12th round, Erie Otters); and forwards Ryan Campbell (6th round, Niagara), Steven Grant (10th round, Guelph Storm), David Anderson (10th round, London Knights) and Tyler Kress (15th round, London).
Other Jr. Rangers selected included forwards Justin McCombs (3rd round, Sarnia Sting), Cole MacKay (5th round, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) and Zach Russell (15th round, Oshawa Generals).
Washkurak finished second on the Wolves in scoring with 17 goals and 21 assists in 32 games. Scouts have raved about his work ethic all season.
“I never take a shift off,” he said.
“I get it from my dad. He’s been on me all these years just for this moment, and I really thank him for that. Everyone says I work hard and I take pride from that.”
The centre was secretly hoping to go to the hometown Kitchener Rangers, but got over it fast when the Trout grabbed him. He is, however, looking forward to returning to the Aud one day in Steelheads garb.
“It’d be unreal just to see all the family support that would be there watching me,” he said. “It would be an exciting game.”
In all, 300 players from 89 different teams were taken in Saturday’s draft — 170 forwards, 98 defencemen and 32 goalies.