Sting goaltender Ben Gaudreau. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)Sting goaltender Ben Gaudreau. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)
Sarnia

Sting GM happy for drafted players, motivated for upcoming season

The Sarnia Sting organization is "ecstatic" after three players were selected by NHL teams over the weekend through the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Goaltender Ben Gaudreau was selected in the third round by the San Jose Sharks, forward Ty Voit was selected in the fifth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and defenceman Ryan Mast was selected during the sixth round by the Boston Bruins.

Sting General Manager Dylan Seca said they're thrilled not only for the players and their families but also for what it means for the organization.

"It means that we obviously have some good young players here with our team and traditionally that means there are probably going to be more coming along behind them," he said.

Gaudreau had a strong 2019-2020 OHL rookie season, read a media release from the Sting. The player from Corbeil, Ontario also helped Team Canada win a gold medal at the IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championships.

Meanwhile, Voit, who is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had eight goals and 28 points in 48 games as a rookie during the 2019-2020 season. Mast, who is from Bloomfield, Michigan, recorded a goal and 11 points through 58 games during the 2019-2020 regular season.

Sting forward Ty Voit. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)Sting forward Ty Voit. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)

Sting defenceman Ryan Mast. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)Sting defenceman Ryan Mast. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club.)

Seca said the three chosen players have shown commitment to the sport, adding that when given the chance to take a break during the off-season or this past year, they kept working.

"I think the tangible thing that each of them has is that they're very dedicated individuals. Anyone who plays in the Ontario Hockey League has that skill set, we look for that when we draft players but then there's those elite type and that's Ben, Ryan, and Ty," said Seca. "They're focused, they're dedicated, they're committed to the on-ice, the off-ice, they made the sacrifices that are really hard to make."

The OHL season was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Seca said had that not been the case, they believe the three players selected might have been selected in earlier rounds and that more draft-eligible Sting players would have been picked.

"There's multiple other players who we feel, really had we have played, the NHL scouts likely would have been very interested in them," he said. "We do believe in this group. We think we've got good skill, high competitiveness. I think once we get playing in September, when the NHL scouts come back in to watch -- and not just to watch new upcoming draft eligibles -- they'll be seeing the guys from last year and realizing 'I think there's more here.'"

Before training camp officially begins, Seca said they're hoping the team will meet virtually or in small groups next month to start building comradery.

"There are still some positions up for grabs, so training camp, we expected, will be the most competitive we've ever seen," he said. "I think the big thing is to get [the players] thinking the same way. Coach [Alan] Letang and his staff will be actively sharing videos and doing some other activities that will get them thinking the right way and chomping at the bit."

The 2021-2022 OHL season is set to kick off on October 7.

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