By Mike Broderick
The 2019 OHL Draft was completed on April 6th with so many Minor Midget players excited about the possibility of being drafted into the premier Junior League. The Ontario Hockey League is one option for continuing and moving forward with young hockey careers.
This year three Grey Bruce Highlander Minor Midget players were drafted into the OHL as the Owen Sound Attack drafted forward Aidan Yarde with the 172nd pick in the 9th round while the Saginaw Spirt Selected Defenseman Eddie MacLean and Goaltender Carter Garvie with the 181st and 241st selections.
There is a possibility of Aidan Yarde developing into a hometown favourite as he played for the Owen Sound Jr. Attack prior to joining the Highlanders. Yarde led the Highlanders in scoring this year notching 13 goals and 9 assists on the defense-first Highlander team. Factoring in on almost a third of the team’s goals, this year, Yarde was a key player for the Minor Midget Highlanders.
Eddie MacLean, who came to the Highlanders from Collingwood is a big, strong skating defenseman who is able to play physical hockey without taking too many penalties. He tabulated 4 goals and 6 assists in 29 games for the Highlanders this season. MacLean was a key member of the defense corps all season, logging some very important minutes for the team.
Another Owen Sound native, Carter Garvie was also drafted by Saginaw in the 12th round highlighting the respect the Saginaw scouts have for the Grey Bruce program. In 13 regular season games, Garvie posted a 2.98 gaa, and 2 shutouts. Keeping games close, Garvie was the important last line of defense for the Minor Midgets, giving the team opportunities to win every time he played.
Three selections in this year’s draft is further proof that the hockey world is taking notice of the vast improvements made within the Grey Bruce Highlanders organization. Three selections in the OHL draft tops off the best year in the history of the organization. Congrats Aidan, Eddie and Carter.