Sarnia Sting 2017 first round pick Jamieson Rees knows what it takes to win. He was selected ninth overall by Sarnia in the OHL Priority Selection April 8.
The skilled centreman led the GTHL's Mississauga Reps with 24 goals and 40 points this past season. The 16-year-old also notched nine points in seven tournament games, en route to an OHL Cup title.
The 5'10'', 152 lbs Rees says his team had its ups and downs throughout the season.
"For the most part it was a great season, we finished second overall in the GTHL, just one point out of first," says Rees. "We didn't really have the playoff run that we expected, but we bounced back in our play-in series against the Senators. It was a real eye-opener for the boys that we could do it. We went into the OHL Cup and had a good wildcard game and didn't stop from there. We just kept on progressing, and ended up winning it. It was quite a nailbiter, it was a great game and I enjoyed playing in it. It was great to end our last game with the Mississauga Reps with a win and winning such a prestigious tournament."
He says he's a physical player that likes to get into the dirty areas on the ice.
"I like to go into the corners and battle for the puck, and throw a couple of hits here and there," says Rees. "I'm not afraid to use my body, I'm not the biggest kid but I'm quite strong on my feet. After I win the battles in the corner, I like to come out and make a nice pass or even make a shot on net or get it back to the defenceman."
Rees says he's happy to be drafted by the Sting, and knows he'll get a good opportunity to join the team this coming season.
"It was very unexpected, I didn't know where I was going to go the night before," says Rees. "I got a phone call in the morning from Sarnia, to say I was drafted by the Sting. It was a great moment and I was extremely happy to be drafted by the Sting. I can't wait to get started, and get into camps and everything."
Some pre-draft rankings had Rees projected to go in the top five.
Sting GM Nick Sinclair says the team was thrilled to be able to select him with the ninth pick.
"He was a guy that we had right at the top of our list all season long," says Sinclair. "To be honest, we were a little shocked that he was still around when we picked at nine but we're super excited about it. He plays the game the right way, plays a 200 foot game with a lot of energy and plays hard. He's a skilled player that's going to put up points in this league. From a character standpoint, he's a tremendous kid who was the captain of the Mississauga Reps team this year that ended up winning the OHL Cup and we're just really excited we were able to get him. He'll be a big part of this organization for the next four years."
In all, the Sting made 16 selections on Saturday over 15 rounds.
There will be some turnover on the roster this coming season with the departures of overagers Kevin Spinozzi, Jeff King, and Jaden Lindo.
The Sting's rookie camp is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
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Here's the full interview with Jamieson Rees from the CHOK Sports Show:
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