The Sarnia Sting chose three centres on the first day of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Friday, and a total of 16 players this weekend.
They drafted Alessandro Di Iorio from the Vaughan Kings U16 AAA team with the second overall pick. The 16-year-old scored 20 goals and added 12 assists in 27 regular season games this past season.
The Vaughan native was a standout at this year's Youth Olympic Games where he had seven points, including six goals in four games. He also tallied six points in seven games at the OHL Cup.
Speaking with OHL TV at the draft, Di Iorio described his style of play.
"I'm a fast, explosive player who likes to put the puck in the net, but I can play in the d-zone as well," said Di Iorio. "I can play a good 200 foot game. I just want to connect with my teammates and get to know them a bit more and see where it takes me."
The Sting have ties to the Vaughan Kings organization, as a pair of alumni are behind the bench. Daniel Sisca is the head coach, while Justin DiBenedetto is the assistant.
"Over the seven years that I've been on the team, it's been a real tight knitted group," said Di Iorio. "We built a family in Vaughan and I think it's going to continue to be that way. Even though we may not stay together as a team, we'll always be talking to each other."
Sting General Manager Dylan Seca commented on the pick.
"With the second overall selection, we felt this pick would be a cornerstone player for our organization for years to come and we wanted to welcome someone who is proud to play for this league, in this city, and in front of our fans," said Seca. "One of the important tangibles we look for when selecting a player is the quality of the person. Alessandro comes from a family that has high morale value. His commitment to being an elite hockey player, and commitment to his family, is something that separated him from everyone else in this age group. Alessandro is a dual threat player, a centreman who can score and make the players around him better."
The Sting previously dealt their second round draft pick to the Erie Otters in the Christian Kyrou trade, but had back to back selections in the third round, 45th (via Peterborough) and 46th overall.
At 45th, they selected Annville, PA born Chase Gaughan from the Palmyra Black Knights 15's. He had 21 goals and 48 points in 22 regular season contests.
Sniper Beckham Edwards was picked 46th. The Komoka native potted an impressive 60 goals and 97 points in 64 games with the Little Caesars U15 AAA team.
He's currently signed with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL.
On day two, the Sting made 13 picks, including six defencemen, four centres, two goalies and a left winger.
The full list of Saturday's picks can be found below.
Meanwhile, there were also a number of local players selected in this year's draft.
Petrolia's Gage Brandon (Vaughan Kings) was chosen by the Flint Firebirds 48th overall.
Sarnia's Blake Barnes and Brody Najim (Lambton Jr. Sting) were each taken by the Saginaw Spirit in the sixth round. Julien Davis of Sarnia (Chatham-Kent Cyclones) went to Ottawa in the 11th round.
Bright's Grove's Mateo Craievich (Elgin-Middlesex Canucks) was selected in the eighth round by the Niagara IceDogs.
Another member of the Jr. Sting, defenceman Luis Sturgeon of London, was taken by the Peterborough Petes in round 11.
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Sting Day Two Draft Picks:
4th round (76th overall) - Shane Neusteter (LD) Elgin-Middlesex Canucks U16 AAA
4th round (81st overall) - Ryder Simpson (LW) Guelph Gryphons U16 AAA
5th round (101st overall) - Ryan Chamberlain (C) Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA
6th round (106th overall) - Will Garrett (LD) North York Rangers U16 AAA
7th round (126th overall) - Kale Osipenko (G) Ottawa Valley Titans U16 AAA
8th round (146th overall) - Brayden Hughes (RD) Detroit Little Caesars 15's
9th round (166th overall) - Joshua Denes (C) Barrie Jr. Colts U16 AAA
10th round (186th overall) - Max Grovestine (G) North York Rangers U16 AAA
11th round (203rd overall) - Easton Walos (C) Mount St. Charles Academy 15's
11th round (206th overall) - Nicholas Bogas (LD) Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 15's
11th round (221st overall) - Gabriel Trozzo (RD) Port Colborne Sailors
12th round (226th overall) - Romeo Di Biase (RD) North York Rangers U16 AAA
13th round (246th overall) - Logan Bennett (C) Oshawa Minor Generals U16 AAA