Ohio Junior Blue Jackets Select Seven Players in Futures Draft
October 5, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Ohio Junior Blue Jackets News Release
The Ohio Junior Blue Jackets selected 7 players on Wednesday evening in the 2007 Futures Draft. The top 4 Rounds of the Draft were eligible for 1991 Birth year Players. With their top selection in the 1st Round (4th Overall) the Jr. Blue Jackets selected Shaker Heights., Ohio native Eamonn McDermott (Cleveland Barons Midget Major), he is a smaller highly skilled defenseman who isn't afraid to play aggressive on the body. "We are thrilled to have been able to select Eamonn, he jumped onto our radar at this past summer's USA Hockey Select 16 Festival" stated GM Don Harkins. "He has great hockey sense and is a smooth skating intelligent player" added Harkins. With their 2nd Round Selection (23rd Overall) they selected forward Jordan Miller (Belle Tire Midget Major) whose biggest asset is his competitiveness, scoring and playmaking abilities. "I love the way this kid competes shift after shift, he is a solid all around hockey player with great character" said Harkins. With their 3rd Round Selection (30th Overall) they selected forward Cody Murphy (Team Illinois Midget Major) it was déjà vu for Murphy who was selected earlier this summer in the May USHL Draft by the Jr. Blue Jackets. "With Cody only being a sophomore in High School we all felt it was in his best interest to play one more year of Midget Major before making the jump to the USHL, the way our League rules are stated Cody had to go back into the Futures Draft and we were fortunate to have been able to select him once again. Both McDermott and Murphy played for Team USA U-17 Select Team in August over in Europe. With their 4th Round Selection they chose Goalie Clay Witt (Boston Jr. Bruins), the Brandon, Florida native was an invite to the US NTDP Tryout this past Spring and is considered one of the top goalies in the US at his age level. "We are solid this year in goal with Corson Cramer (1988) and Pasquale Terrazzono (1989) and needed a young goalie in our system and we felt Clay was that guy, he has great potential" added Harkins.
In the second phase of the Draft the Junior Blue Jackets were able to select 1990 Birth year Players. Their first selection (56th Overall) in that phase was forward Shawn Ostrow (Camrose Kodiaks) in 6 games played this season the Calgary, Alberta native has 4 goals and 4 assists. "We have had great reports on Shawn's offensive abilities and our excited to have him as part of our organization". With their final 2 picks in the 2007 Futures Draft the Jr. Blue Jackets selected a pair of teammates form the Syracuse Stars (EJHL). With their 6th Round Pick (74th Overall) they selected forward Matt Wilson. Wilson is an offensive player with speed, grit, and a relentless work ethic. With their (81st Selection) they selected Defenseman Doug Marshall. Marshall 6'2" 200 is a good skating physical Defenseman who likes to punish his opponents. "We are very pleased with our Draft today, last years Draft was a critical part in our development as an organization and this Draft was just as important" added Harkins.
Notes: The Junior Blue Jackets trimmed down their roster to the 23 man limit by releasing forward Patrick McAuley.
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- Ohio Junior Blue Jackets Select Seven Players in Futures Draft - Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
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