OHL Draft Only Days Away For Local Prospects

For the second straight year, the Chatham-Kent Cyclones enter the upcoming OHL draft with no sure fire prospects. After struggling this season with a 1-28-1 record, the Minor Midget Cyclones flew under the scouting radar, but that doesn’t mean some players didn’t get a look this season.

Team captain Steven Beenackers likely has the best shot at hearing his name called April 7 when the OHL draft gets underway. The 6’2″ center, who hails from Muirkirk near the edge of Chatham-Kent’s border and attends Ridgetown District High School, was the leading scorer for the Cyclones this season with 5 goals and 5 assists.

One regional OHL scout said Beenackers would be a “sure thing” pick if he had played for a contending team this season, but he also predicted the Cyclones leader would still be selected in the later rounds of this year’s OHL draft.

Beenackers was a dominant force in the local KCSSAA high school league, and also played one game this season with the Chatham Jr.B Maroons as an emergency call up.

Also playing that game for the Maroons was Beenackers teammate and fellow prospect, Brayden Seliga. Seliga a 6’2″ defender from Kent Bridge, and fellow Cyclones defenseman Tyler Udvari of Chatham, were also on the radar this season as prospects. Big goaltender Eric Stewardson also battled hard this season keeping his underpowered team in many games.

Although this season is questionable, next year’s crop of Chatham-Kent Cyclones will undoubtedly have players picked in the OHL Priority Draft. The league playdown champions, the Major Bantam Cyclones are stocked with young stars reminiscent of the year (2009) that saw current OHLers Seth Griffith, Dane Fox, and Kyle Hope selected.

Next seasons prospects, including Drew Marlatt, Trent Fox, Dede Cato, James McKewan, and Brendan Johnston all stand a legitimate chance of being selected.