Batchewana First Nation’s Evan Roach who plays Soo U18 AAA Greyhound was selected in the fifteenth round of the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Selection Draft by his hometown Soo Greyhounds with the 298th selection.

The 15 year old defenceman played in 24 regular season Great North U18 League with the Soo U18 Greyhounds where he had three goals and added four assists along with tallying 18 minutes in penalties for the U18 Greyhounds. In five postseason games, the 6’1 and 165 lbs blueliner tallied one goal and one assist as well as contributing on one goal at the 2022 OHF in Toronto, Ontario in the spring of 2022.

Evan father Gary was drafted by the Soo Greyhounds in the 1991 OHL Draft in the second round with the 32nd overall pick and played on the Greyhounds blueline for four seasons and appearing in two Memorial Cups with the Soo. Gary was drafted by the NHL New York Rangers in 1993 in the fifth round and the 112th selection. In 1993, Evan father had the chance to raise the Memorial Cup in front of his hometown crowd in Sault Ste Marie.

Evan told Saultsports that “being drafted by my hometown team is absolute dream come true i grew up idolizing them as a young kid I can’t put to words how proud and ecstatic I am for this opportunity. I’m a reliable skilled defenceman that can move the puck well and play both ends of the rink. It’s exiting and an honour to play for the same team my dad played for he was fortunate enough to play on championship teams and I always enjoyed looking at pictures from him back then.”

“Our AAA U18 program are very proud for Evan and his family. Evan’s father had tremendous careers with his hometown Soo Greyhounds. It is great to see Evan selected by the Greyhounds. Evan really progressed this season, but maybe most importantly as later round picks they have tremendous work ethics and the Greyhounds are getting a great young man,” added U18 Greyhound coach Jamie Henderson.