Sarnia, ON. – Sarnia Sting General Manager Dylan Seca and his scouting staff welcomed three more prospects to the organization on Wednesday night through the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Under-18 Priority Selection.
The concept for the OHL Under-18 Priority Selection was developed in 2017 with full support from Hockey Canada’s three Ontario Branches including the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), and Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO), to assist in the growth of U18 AAA hockey and provide further opportunities for players at different stages of their hockey development. All U18 players not currently on a CHL Member Team Protected List who were carded with an Ontario-based U18 AAA Hockey Club or an accredited Hockey Canada sport school within the OHF, HNO or HEO in the 2023-24 playing season are eligible for the U18 Priority Selection.
With the 2nd overall pick, Seca added 6’0 rearguard Jonathan Kapageridis of the GOJHL’s Cobourg Cougars. The Maple, Ontario native had tremendous playoff success with the Cougars tallying 4 goals and 10 assists in 17 Jr. A playoff games. “Jonathan is a player who had a great season with both Don Mills U18 and the Cobourg Cougars, he also was a teammate of current Sting forward Carter Kostuch as a member of the 2022-23 Vaughn Kings. He is a skilled defender who moves well, reads the ice and someone we believe is ready to make the jump.” Comments Dylan Seca.
The Sting then used their second-round selection to add 6’2 goaltender Mark Besedin from the Ottawa Myers Automotive U18 AAA. A Russian born goaltender who played most of his youth hockey in St. Louis before heading to the Ottawa AAA loop. “Our Ottawa area scouts were very intrigued by Mark this season and see significant upside in his game. He is a late blooming, big kid that the puck seems to find. We are excited to bring Mark to Sarnia”. Comments Seca on the pick. Rounding out the draft Seca selected local talent in Jr. Sting forward Roen Douglas. The crafty forward from Petrolia, ON had a great year with the Lambton Jr. Sting U18 AAA totalling 16 goals and 34 assists in 35 regular season games, along with five goals and five assists in the 10 game Jr. Sting Playoff run. “Roen was a leader on his Jr. Sting team this season who put up great numbers with his skill at the centre position. We are always excited when local talent joins the organization and look forward to working with Roen”.
With the U16 and U18 priority selections now in the rear-view mirror, Seca and his staff will shift their focus to the final draft of the off-season in the 2024 CHL import Draft set for Wednesday, July 3rd at 11am. The Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior League hold the first overall pick while the Sting selecting 6th and 72nd overall. Stay up to date with all Sting Draft information at Sting Draft Central.