| 2008 OHL DRAFT CLAIMS 6 VARSITY ATHLETES The Ontario Hockey League conducted its annual Priority Selection process on Saturday, May 3rd 2008. The 15-round draft claimed 301 minor-midget aged players, including several members of Varsity’s Elite Training Program. The Plymouth Whalers selected forward Tyler Seguin with their first pick (9th overall) and goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the seventh round (129th overall). Matt Braun was selected by the Saginaw Spirit in the fourth round (70th overall), while Trevor Hunt was selected in the eighth round by the London Knights. The ninth round saw Sean Levac go to Owen Sound and Ryan Hamberg chosen by the Oshawa Generals (164th and 176th overall, respectively).
The Whalers have already had success with members of the Elite Training Program. Chris Terry, who has been in the program since its inception, has established himself as one of the premiere players in the OHL over the past two seasons. The 2007 5th round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes put up 101 points last season, including 44 goals, and was instrumental in uniting his club with their first round pick. “Terry actually introduced me to the Plymouth organization around Christmas and then I met back up and started talking with them at the OHL Cup,” said Seguin. Terry is aware of Seguin’s talent. Both played in the Schomogyi Cup 3 on 3 League at Varsity last summer. The league gives the professional, OHL and NCAA players and prospects in the Elite Training Program a chance to compete against each other and provides a welcome change of pace from the grueling training schedule they adhere to when training at Varsity. Despite being the only 14-year old in the league, Sequin finished second in goal scoring, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Terry, who missed the start of the league while playing for the Whalers at the 2007 Memorial Cup. “Through it all Terry has been telling me about the program, fans, and all that. Before the draft I got to go visit Plymouth and just fell in love with the place.”
Like all players looking to make a jump to the next level, Seguin knows the adjustment to playing with faster, stronger and older players won’t come easy. “To have an impact this upcoming season, I have to be both mentally and physically ready. Mentally I have to know in my head that I can step on the ice and play with the older guys. With the help of Schmogs [Head of the Varsity Elite Program – Geoff Schomogyi] and the guys at Varsity I plan to get physically stronger by pumping the weights and working on all my weaknesses, like upper body strength.” On behalf of the directors and all the staff here at Varsity, we would like congratulate all of our athletes who were selected in this year’s draft. See you when the program starts on Monday, May 19, 2008. 
| 
