The North Bay Battalion had a mix of good and bad news at the recent NHL draft.
On the positive side, two of their players were selected in the first round. Defenseman Ty Nelson was chosen 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, while forward Liam Arnsby was picked 27th overall by the Detroit Red Wings.
This marks the first time since 2015 that the Battalion have had two players selected in the first round of the NHL draft.
Head coach Ryan Oulahen expressed his excitement for Nelson and Arnsby, stating that they have both worked hard and deserve this opportunity. He also noted that it reflects positively on the organization and the development program they have in place.
However, there was also some disappointment for the Battalion as two of their top players, forward Brandon Coe and defenseman Paul Christopoulos, were not selected in the draft.
Coe, who was ranked 50th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, was projected to be chosen in the later rounds. Christopoulos, who was ranked 153rd, was also expected to be drafted.
Despite this setback, Oulahen remains optimistic for their future in hockey and believes they will have other opportunities to showcase their skills and potentially be drafted in the future.
Overall, the North Bay Battalion had a successful showing at the NHL draft with two players selected in the first round. While there was some disappointment for Coe and Christopoulos, the organization remains proud of their accomplishments and looks forward to seeing their continued growth and success in the sport.
