Spitfires draft picks have ‘options’
Three American-born players taken by the Windsor Spitfires in last month’s Ontario Hockey League draft have also been selected in the United States Hockey League draft.
“They are very talented players,” said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler, adding he remains in touch with the prospects. “They are going to have options.”
The Youngstown Phantoms selected forward Tyler Catalano in the second round of the draft with the 21st pick. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Catalano was an eighth-round pick by the Spitfires from the St. Louis Blues U16 team.
Centre Nicholas Vantassell went to the Green Bay Gamblers in the sixth round of the draft. The Spitfires selected the 6-foot-2, 160-pound Vantassell in the 14th round of the OHL draft. He played for the New Jersey Rockets 15’s last season.
The other Windsor prospect taken in the draft was centre Michael Mesic, who was a teammate last season with the Spitfires’ first-round pick, Ryan Abraham, with the Detroit Compuware 15’s. The 5-foot-8, 140-pound Mesic was a 12th-round pick by the Spitfires and went to the Omaha Lancers in the 10th round of the USHL Draft.
73’s make additions
Two alumni of the Essex 73’s have joined the organization for the 2020-21 season.
Jamie Mcdermott, who is a former player and coach, will join head coach Danny Anger’s staff as an assistant coach.
Mcdermott served as an assistant coach under former head coach Tony Piroski with both the 73’s and Leamington Flyers.
The club has also added Nick Nicodemo to the staff as the team’s new trainer. Nicodemo won a Schmalz Cup title with Essex in his first of two seasons with the 73’s in 2009 and also spent two seasons with the Flyers.
Green Giants out
The St. Clair Green Giants will not compete in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League this season.
The baseball league announced its plans to make a decision on the season by June 1, but still hopes to start the campaign by July 1.
However, St. Clair announced it will not compete in the league this season. In a statement, the club made it clear the decision was made to protect the health of fans, players and staff, but plans to return to the league for the 2021 season.