2021 Steelheads Draft Recap
MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Steelheads added fourteen players to the hockey club including six forwards, six defencemen and two goalies in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Presented by Real Canadian Superstore.
Holding the 9th overall draft spot, and a top ten pick for eighth time in nine years, the Steelheads selected centerman, Luke Misa of the Oakville Rangers. In 33 games with the Rangers in 2019-20, Misa registered 31 goals to go alongside 31 assists for 62 points for an average of 1.88 points per game. Steelheads GM & Head Coach, James Richmond describes Misa as “a player who plays with tremendous speed and skill and someone the fans will love to watch.” Richmond added “he has a high hockey IQ and plays a 200-foot game.” This would conclude the first night of the OHL Draft.
On Saturday, the club held 13 picks starting with the fifth round. Richmond went to the GTHL to select centerman Stefan Forgione at 88th overall. In the 2019-20 season the Woodbridge native played in 29 games with the Vaughn Kings. Forgione recorded 20 points including 13 goals and 7 assists over that span. The former Toronto Jr. Canadien is known as a character player that brings a physical element to the game.
After selecting centerman with the first two picks, the Steelheads turned to the defensive side of the ice. In the sixth round the club chose York-Simcoe defenceman Declen McDougall 104th overall and Toronto Titans goaltender Ethan Kowatsch at 110th overall followed by Toronto Jr. Canadiens defenceman Finn Harding at 151st overall in the eighth round.
Rounds 9-15 was capped off with four forwards, four defencemen and a goaltender. Of those late round selections three of them included players from south of the border – right winger Skogen Schrott (168th) and defencemen Nathan Hargest (223rd) and Mason Keller (235th). The Steelheads would also select Ethan Wallace (191st), Mason Zebeski (208th), Jake Rivett (231st), Spencer Hughes (248th), Jordan Griffiths (271st), and Evan Krell (288th).
Steelheads Draft Notes
- The Steelheads selected six forwards, six defencemen and two goalies
- Out of the fourteen picks there were two players taken from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens and two from Florida Alliance
- There were two players selected from Mississauga, three from Oakville and two from Toronto
- Three American players were selected by the club
Learn more about the entire Steelheads 2021 Draft Class by visiting our Draft Central page.
After a successful day in the virtual War Room, Steelheads GM, James Richmond adds, “Congratulations to the ‘05 Draft Class and welcome to the Mississauaga Steelheads! I’d like to thank the entire Steelheads scouting staff for all their hard work throughout the year. Our staff, headed by Mike Doyle, Rob Toffoli and Jeff Kyrzakos did an excellent job of preparation leading up to the draft. We believe we selected fourteen players today that one day could be playing for our hockey club. We addressed all our needs for the immediate future and have grown our player depth as an organization at the same time. We want everyone to stay safe and healthy as we all fight together through these unprecedented times and we will see you back at the rink soon.”
