The Sarnia Sting have signed 2023 first round pick Ryan Brown to an OHL Standard Player Agreement.
Brown, 15, was selected 17th overall in last month's draft.
In a media release Thursday, Sting General Manager Dylan Seca said it's an exciting day for the hockey club.
"Ryan Brown is a player who exemplifies all the core values and attributes we look for when scouting and drafting," said Seca. “He plays with passion, is an excellent skater and has great skill around the net. As we’ve seen throughout the playoffs, these qualities are so important. We are thrilled to welcome Ryan and the entire Brown family to Sarnia and Sting Nation.”
Brown spent the 2022-23 season with the York-Simcoe Express U16 AAA team. He tallied 33 goals and 24 assists through 34 regular season games played, good enough for third in both goals and points in the OMHA’s ETA league. In this year's OHL Cup, the Newmarket native recorded three assists in four games.
OHL Central Scouting described Brown as a very good skater with excellent quickness that allows him to get in on the forecheck and create havoc.
"He has good skills that allow him to make most plays and will score the majority of his goals by driving the net and going to the dirty areas for pucks," read the statement.
Brown and his family were officially welcomed to the Sting organization during a signing ceremony on Thursday.
Sarnia Sting GM Dylan Seca (right) welcomes Ryan Brown and his family to the hockey club. May 2023. (Photo by Sarnia Sting)