A local defenceman will be suiting up in the Ontario Hockey League next season.
Grayson Ladd, from Kent Bridge, has signed a Standard Player Agreement and Education Package with the Kitchener Rangers. The 16-year-old was chosen 13th overall by the Rangers in the most recent OHL Draft.
Kitchener General Manager Mike McKenzie speaks very highly of the young blueliner.
“Grayson was a young man that we coveted pretty highly in the Priority Selection, and to have him officially commit to the team today, we’re very excited,” said Rangers’ general manager Mike McKenzie. “We were impressed with Grayson’s showing, both at our Spring Camp and at the OHL Gold Cup, and are looking forward to what’s to come as we welcome he and his family into our Rangers’ family.” Ladd was a standout for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Minor Midget team. Injuries limited the defenceman to just 26 regular season games, scoring nine points for the Cyclones. He also skated in six games with the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Chatham Maroons, recording a goal and an assist.
In the past there have been several plays in the Chatham area drafted to the OHL out of junior hockey, but Ladd was the highest to be drafted directly out of the Chatham-Kent Cyclones 'AAA' program. Sault Ste. Marie goaltender Joseph Raaymakers previously held this distinction, he was drafted by the Greyhounds in the second round (37th overall) by the Greyhounds in the 2014 OHL draft.