Ontario Hockey Association

The 2008 NHL Entry Draft 1st round’s final two picks are special for the Golden Horseshoe Conference and the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League of the Ontario Hockey Association.

Friday Night in Ottawa proved to be a great night for Daultan Leveille, of the St. Catharines Falcons. Leveille was selected to the Atlanta Thrashers in the 29th slot. The pick was the Thrashers’ second pick of the round, as the selection was secured before the trade deadline from the Stanley Cup runner up Pittsburgh Penguins.

The tall and slender 159l pound, centre was only a blip on the radar in November but made an incredible move up the rankings from the mid-term to finals moving from 89 to 41. TSN had Leveille at the 35 spot. Bob Mackenzie of TSN commented on Leveille’s speed as he thought he maybe the fastest skater in the draft.

Daultan is set to play next season with Michigan State University where he will continue his development and one day move up to the National Hockey League.

Wheatfield Blades Alumnus and Horseshoe Grad, the top ranked North American goaltender, Thomas McCollum now with the Guelph Storm of the OHL heard his name called in the 30th and last spot of the 1st round. The 30th name to be called may as well have been the first selection as the team to select McCollum was the Stanley Cup Champion, Detroit Redwings.

Thomas ranked by TSN as the 24th selection is known to have a great glove hand and sound net positioning and rebound control. NHL Scouting had him in the 3rd spot at mid-term amongst North American Goalies but with his tough metal attitude and very focused approach he climbed to the number 1 position.

The 6’2, 205lb netminder from Amherst New York made his former General Manager, Robert Doerrsam, of the Wheatfield Junior Blades Hockey Club an extremely proud man, as he watched the TV broadcast with many of McCollum’s former teammates and supporters tonight.

Doerrsam said, “This is a great night for both of these special players, their families, and teams. It also puts the Great Ontario Junior Hockey League amongst the big leagues in player development.”

The Greater Ontario Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey Association congratulate these two young men on their draft selection and wish them the best in their futures and pursuit to one day play in the National Hockey League.